Everyone Loves Chance Threads!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Okay, well here it goes. I've already posted a chance thread before, but this time, i was wondering how this one particular factor will affect me.</p>

<p>I've only taken spanish 1 and 2, then i skipped to chinese III and IV because i realized that i was taking spanish only to appease my mom. I realized that i was more fascinated by the chinese culture and language and that establishing a strong foundation in chinese will undoubtedly benefit me more in the future than in spanish. And although i am chinese, the fact that i am american born limits my mandarin, which i dont speak at home, so i really wanted to become proficient at the language that fits my ethnicity.</p>

<p>On the application, I will put chinese as one of my proposed areas of studies, Also, i have formed a pretty productive asian club at my high school, which just goes to show the passion i have for the subject. </p>

<p>so bottom line is... will college admissions view my change in foreign language as a sign of slacking off and closemindedness? Or would they view it simply as a change of interest. </p>

<p>Okay, now onto the stats...(finally). I will apply ED. Also, whats my chance of getting into Rice Baylor (or getting the interview at least)</p>

<p>Education
• G.P.A.: 3.98
• Rank: 3/519
• SAT: 2250 (760 Math, 750 Reading, 740 Writing)
• SAT II’s: 800 Chemistry, 760 Molecular Biology
• AP’s: World History (5); English Lang (4); Chemistry (5)</p>

<p>Senior Schedule
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Biology
• AP English IV
• AP US Gov/Eco
• AP Chinese IV
• Scientific Research and Design (Honors): I will shadow an anesthesiologist 4 hours/week and make a presentation to the class about what I have learned at the end of each semester
• Heath/Speech</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
• Swimming: Varsity since freshman year, voted as the most valuable newcomer during freshman year, regional qualifier
• Asian Interactive Youth Association: Co-founder, President. Hosted an intramural basketball fundraiser and received a profit of $400+, which the club used to buy books for HIV children in China. Other activities include: Origami sessions, Sushi workshops, Asian culture related volunteer services
• American Red Cross: Historian (11th grade), Vice President (12th grade)
• Science National Honor Society: President
• Piano: 13 years
• Volunteer: 200+ hours through the YES volunteer program
• National Honor Society</p>

<p>Summer Activites
• 9th grade: Summer League Swim Team
• 10th grade: AP United States History at Rice Summer School
• 10th grade: Volunteered at The Methodist Hospital (106 hours): radiology department
• 11th grade: Volunteered at The Methodist Hospital (74 hours):
a. Wednesdays: Helped out on one of the nursing floors: helped take care of patients who have came out of surgery
b. Thursdays: Took care of patients in the Pre-Operation room and the Post Anesthesia Care Unit
• 11th grade: Research at MD Anderson (8 weeks, 30 hours/week): Genetics; Studied the localization of mutant strains of AIR-2 and wild-type AIR-2, using C. elegans as the model organism</p>

<p>Awards
• National Merit Semifinalist
• AP Computer Science Department Award
• AP Scholar
• Science Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• All Districts Academic Excellence Award (all 4 years)
• School’s Academic excellence (all 4 years)</p>

<p>Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>whoa awesome candidate. you could get into some awesome ivies or get merit scholarships at some great schools. aim high!</p>

3

<p>so any opinions on my foreign language situation?</p>

4

<p>You don't have to apply ED to be considered for the Rice/Baylor program. You can also apply Interim Decision, which is non-binding. Before going ahead with ED, realize that it is possible for you to be accepted to Rice but not to the R/B program. In this case, you would be bound to Rice. For a seemingly strong candidate like yourself, this might not be the best idea. Unless you're absolutely in love with Rice and positive that's where you want to be the next four years, I would stay away from ED. Don't be scared to apply to some of the other top-notch schools (including ivies) and med programs (including Northwestern, Brown, etc)...Like jimbob said, AIM HIGH!</p>

<p>My two cents :)</p>

5

<p>thanks for the inputs! </p>

<p>I wouldnt want to miss the opportunity to alleviate college stress a couple months earlier, so thats why im applying ed. But as of now, im deciding between duke and rice. Both have excellent premed programs as far as ive heard, but because i live in houston, i know much more about rice than i do about duke. any comments on duke and maybe why rice is better, or vice versa?</p>

<p>Oh and i dont think my main question has been answered. How do u think college admissions will see my change in foreign language?</p>

6

<p>From everything else on your stats, I honestly don't think that would raise a question in their minds, especially if you did well in the Spanish classes (which I'm assuming is so, by your GPA). If at all concerned, however, you just need to clarify why you took Spanish & then changed (the Rice app. gives you an opportunity to give any additional information you deem is relevant or you might tie it into an essay about your passion for your culture/language.)</p>

7

<p>It's only a problem if you make it one. In my opinion, some Adcoms might not even think about it twice. Have some confidence, and apply to awesome schools!</p>

8

<p>Deciding between Duke and Rice? I know how you feel mfs99. I spent a very agonizing month deciding between the two great schools. The schools even offered me the same rough bottom-line cost after finaid. It's like they were trying to play a cruel joke. Anyway, I'd say perhaps visit the two schools if possible and see which one has the better atmosphere that you like. I think Duke and Rice each have a very different "personality" if that makes any sense.</p>

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<p>hey peter parker (lol its like im talking to spiderman).</p>

<p>so did u decide to attend rice? if so, what were your reasons?</p>

10

<p>And what's my chance of passing the first round of the rice/baylor admission process?</p>

<p>i hope my hospital volunteer, genetics research, and doctor shadowing will portray my enthusiasm for medicine.</p>

11

<p>i think you're fine for rice/baylor. i said it before: you're a great candidate for merit scholarships at good schools and also a great candidate for ivy-level schools</p>

12

<p>thanks jimbob1225, btw. where are u applying, if you're doing ED? i've seen you on the duke thread as well =]</p>

13

<p>im applying to yale EA. how can i not? EA admissions rate: 17%. RD admissions rate: 5.8%</p>

<p>im in-state for duke so i have a really good chance of getting in--my counselor says its a match/safety and she is an admissions officer there! gotta love in-state bias</p>

14

<p>haha sweet.</p>

15

<p>mfs99 -- my D will be a Rice/Baylor freshman and had, most likely, the least amount of real medical experience and no research, but a strong science and math background. During her interview, medicine was barely touched upon, however they talked a lot about the sport she played year 'round for 6 years and hopes to continue playing in some capacity at Rice. I think RB is looking for well-rounded individuals who show extreme dedication in whatever they do in addition to being scientists.</p>

16

<p>I think you have a great shot. And I don't think the language thing will be what makes or breaks you.</p>

<p>Like, Abhi said, only apply ED if you would want to go to Rice without being accepted to Rice/Baylor. But, if that is the case, don't let people discourage you from applying ED to Rice because you could have a shot at the Ivies. I could have had a shot at the Ivies, and I applied ED to Rice, because I knew it was where I wanted to be. And I don't (generally) regret it.</p>

17

<p>I didn't apply ED to Rice, but I ended up choosing it over every other school anyway. Yes, mfs99, I chose Rice over Duke. There are many factors that led me to my decision, but I'm not going to lie; it was a very difficult one, but I am very confident in my final choice.</p>

<p>First of all, I liked the Rice community better. Of course, if you are applying there, you must know about Rice's residential college system, which is often praised. Not only is the actual housing good, but each residential college has its own traditions, rivalries, and unique events. Also, I got the impression from many different sources that Rice has a more collaborative environment, in both engineering and premed at least, whereas at Duke there was a more adversarial, competitive environment. Yet the atmospheres at both universities are tough to define with words; I would suggesting visiting both if possible.</p>

<p>I was an undecided major, and academically the universities seemed to have many similarities. Both Duke and Rice lack a business major, although Rice does have something called Managerial Studies, although I can't tell you much about it. Personally, I am interested a bit in theatre, and Duke offered a drama major while Rice didn't. But then I discovered I could still take plenty of drama classes at Rice if I wanted to anyway, and since I likely wasn't going to major in drama anyway this would be a good setup. You see, personally, I ended up listing these sort of pros and cons and what was important to me.</p>

<p>Rice is in a major city, Houston, and apparently has a good relationship with Houston citizens (there is a place called Rice village that is very friendly to students). Coming from Chicago and being a city boy this was definitely a plus in my opinion. On the other hand, few complements can be given to Durham or its relationship with Duke. Although I am sure there is plenty to do on Duke's campus. Yet I remember plainly someone commented to me that "if you come from the city, it may take some time to get used to Duke."</p>

<p>I liked the 5:1 teacher/student ratio at Rice, although Duke's is also good at 8:1. I got the impression through my research that Rice was more of an undergrad-focused university. I mean, this is obvious when you see that Rice only has one graduate school: the Jones School of Management. I got the impression that Rice professors were more concerned with teaching than "nose in research" type personalities. I heard many professors were very open and friendly, some live on campus (like the residential college Masters). The term "Rice family" was often used in describing the student body and faculty.</p>

<p>I didn't like that Duke freshman lived separate from upperclassmen and at the other end of campus. However, I also disliked how at Rice, housing is only guaranteed for 3 years. I basically weighed these factors evenly.</p>

<p>Otherwise, the Duke lacrosse incident didn't help, there was no guaranteed AC at Duke (there is at Rice and thank Jesus) which is very important for a cold-blooded Chicago resident who can't take too much heat, and I didn't like Duke's use of buses to get from class to class. Also, I heard Duke frats dominate the social scene, and the admin is beginning to react harshly to frats and on-campus parties. I did enjoy the prospect of attending Duke's Div 1 basketball games, but this was a minor plus.</p>

<p>Both schools offered me the same finaid and were about the same distance from Chicago (about 1100 miles).</p>

<p>So, that was some of the logic behind my decision. Obviously, different things are important to you and I hope this thread started to get you thinking. There are a ton of similarities and differences between Duke and Rice that I have not mentioned; my comparisons just barely scratch the surface. Also, you're also hearing from someone who chose Rice, so obviously my opinions are going to favor Rice (although there would be no reason for me to have a bias towards Rice before I chose which college to attend).</p>

<p>Both Rice and Duke are great schools, in my opinion, and if you are unsure about which to attend, then perhaps you should apply ID to Rice and RD to Duke and see what happens, maybe have the same agonizing month that I had. Good luck.</p>

18

<p>Thank you so much for that excellent post, peter_parker!</p>

19

<p>I can only take spanish 1 and 2 but i speak 3 other languages...will that help me or hurt me....</p>

20

<p>i dont think so, b/c ur school doesnt offer spanish 3 and beyond</p>