Rice is my dream school and I really want to go there, but I’m not sure if I have the best stats
I go to a charter school in Utah called Nuames (Northern Utah Academy of Math Engineering and Science) and i’m 80th out of 250 students. We used to have a lot more (325) but since our program is quite rigorous students who do badly drop out and return to the school they’re zoned for.
I have a 3.85 unweighted gpa but I’ve taken enough college classes at my local university (weber state university) to earn my associates degree this spring (i’ll graduate with high honors in april)
My Act is a 29 which isn’t very good and my chosen major is architecture
I’m a member of our national honor society and MUN club.
I’m also a ballet dancer, and volunteer at the library and local hospice.
I plan to take the sat in October and I’m hoping if I do well my chances will increase more.
How likely am I to get in, or should I even apply at all?
I’m also planning to attend a campus tour and Interview with them soon. I also went to The rice in your state tour they did sept 11. Not sure if that helps at all but rice is my dream school so any tips you have would be much appreciated.
@amberdr00 If you have any way to bring the ACT up. Maybe if you do RD you would have another chance to take the ACT again and get the practice sections that brought your score down and study more. Maybe do some practice ACT tests. My son brought up from a 31 to a 35 in one section just by practice. Learning how to gauge time.
Test Scores (Middle 50% ranges of Admitted Students)
25th percentile 75th percentile
SAT Critical Reading* 700 800
SAT Math* 730 800
SAT Writing* 690 790
SAT Evidenced Based Reading and Writing 710 770
SAT Math 730 790
ACT Composite 33 35
This is directly off admissions statistics
@amberdr00 Just curious, since you are obtaining your Associates Degree this Spring, are you applying as a transfer student?
From Rice’s website regarding transfer students:
“To apply, candidates should have a grade point average of at least 3.20 in their most recent college work. Those offered admission as transfer students typically have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. GPAs in college are evaluated within the context of the degree of difficulty of coursework pursued and competitiveness of the college you have attended.”
It is my understanding, that the ACT shows college readiness, if you’re already taking college courses and maintaining a high GPA you’ve demonstrated college readiness…I would think that would hold more weight?
(my child is in a similar situation)
If Rice is your dream school, then you should definitely continue to pursue it. You can indeed make the case that your performance in actual college classes demonstrates you ability to handle advanced coursework; nevertheless, that 29 on the ACT will almost certainly drag down your chances. Hence it is imperative that you raise the ACT score and/or do fairly well on the SAT.
Fortunately, standardized test scores can be improved with practice and preparation. My daughter, for example, was able to raise her SAT math score by 100 points after a week or two of concerted study with one of the standard prep books. It can be done!
It sounds like you have an interesting story to tell and like your background would enable you to contribute to Rice’s geographical and social diversity. What you need to focus on now is raising your test scores so that the adcoms are willing to listen to that story. Good luck!
Rice is your dream, thus sharing information we received from Rice:
This is a reminder that you are invited to Discover Rice, Rice’s two-day, on-campus program for high school seniors, Sunday, October 1 through Monday, October 2. Students will experience Rice’s academic programs, undergraduate research opportunities, leadership development programs, student life and the residential college system. Sessions will also be offered on admission and financial aid processes.
For students interested in applying to Rice, there is no better way to engage with the Rice community. Our faculty, students and alumni are eager to show you what makes Rice distinctive.
Are you ready to Discover Rice? Take your first steps toward a Rice education. Learn more and register today!
Sincerely,
Julie M. Browning
Julie M. Browning
Dean for Undergraduate Enrollment
Good luck!
@CaliforniaDreamer I’m applying as a freshman, I talked to my school advisor and they usually want those credits to be obtained after your senior year to be considered a transfer and since i competed all credits during jr and sr year mostly I’ll still technically be a freshman.