<p>I have really poor grades. My cumulative GPA is 3.0 unweighted. I have a lot of extra curriculars such as:
Captain of Mock Trial
Captain of Model UN - went to conferences @ United Nations in NYC
Editor in Chief of Yearbook Club
Prom Committee
Interact Club
Volleyball Team manager grades 11, 12
Varsity volleyball grades 9,10
Varsity swimming grades 9,10
Chess Club 9 10 11 12</p>
<p>I have really good essays. My best friend goes to Harvard and is editting the **** out of my essays with his team of Ivy League friends. Do you think I have a shot at rice?</p>
<p>I think Rice is an extremely high reach based on your GPA, even with amazing essays. An applicant’s GPA is such an important component of the application and most unhooked applicants at the most selective schools are in the top 5% of their class. Apply anyway and see what happens.</p>
<p>I think you have a shot. You have very strong ec’s that will show Admissions that you have strong leadership abilities. And it sounds like you could add a lot to the campus. Rice has many opportunities for emerging leaders, including: [Rice</a> University Leadership Rice](<a href=“http://leadership.rice.edu/]Rice”>http://leadership.rice.edu/)</p>
<p>Have you discussed with your college advisor/guidance counselor how best to explain
the deep divide between your test scores/leadership abilities, and lagging GPA? if
there are special circumstances, they should be shared the best way possible. </p>
<p>If you feel ready for the academic rigors at Rice, give it your best. Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree that you have a shot, but it is still a high reach given your academic performance, as Rice is an academically rigorous institution.</p>
<p>Consider also that you may struggle to keep up with Rice’s rigorous academics even if you do get in. You’d need to be prepared to work hard and take advantage of the resources available to you to help you through your classes.</p>
<p>I’m wondering why your grades are lower, and I’m sure Rice will, too. Is it because you go to a really tough high school? Because you really don’t care about your classes? Because you are smart but you have a learning disability like dyslexia or ADHD that makes it hard for you to read or get organized? You have to understand this now ( maybe you do) and have a way of conveying it to the school. </p>
<p>Red flags go up in my head when I hear you are having your friends work on your essays. What is that all about?</p>
No you will not get in if you are having your best friend write you essay for you.
Having a ton of EC doesn’t make up for poor grades, unless three is a good explanation for that. You can’t say that “I have low grades because I have to go to practice everyday for 4 hours.” That will only show them that you don’t know how to manage time and that you care little about academics. You are applying to a school not an club, organization, or sports team. Academics come first. That’s why admissions counselors will immediately go and look at your transcript first, then SAT/ACT.</p>
<p>I’m being honest: I don’t think your ECs are special in any way. All you have are very nice test scores, and maybe good essays written by others. What are they about, that will put you over the top? You might be a wonderful person, but based on this I am not impressed, and I don’t think Rice will be, unless there is something you are not saying. I don’t mean to be cruel, just realistic.</p>
<p>It’s possible though not highly likely, but definitely apply. Look into some other schools that are known to care significantly about SAT scores & apply there as well since they may favor scores over GPA. Is there a reason behind the so-so grades? If there is some legitimate reason (not “my teachers didn’t like me”), it is beneficial to explain. Also, is there an upward trend in your grades? That would make your transcript a little better. Do you have a weighted GPA, a rigorous courseload?</p>
<p>You need to be yourself in the essays. Adcoms are pros at sniffing out essays that don’t jive with the rest of your application. Mediocre grades/CR score and brilliant essays leave a big question mark. I would strongly advise against doing this. Having them look them over is one thing but totally reworking them is not a good idea. And also you might not get in with the Harvard “team” essay. Rice looks for a different type of person than Harvard, so you may be shooting yourself in the foot.</p>
<p>Agree with the above two posts and would add this is basically dishonest plus Rice has an honor code that all their incoming students sign off on.</p>
<p>Also, they do compare different aspects of your application. Your CR/W part of the SAT, your English classes and your essay. They need to be consistent.</p>
<p>Your GPA is really low and your SATs don’t make up for it. Neither do your ECs. Think long and hard about how you much you are willing to pay the application fee.</p>
<p>If there is a valid reason for your grades, and your guidance counselor can explain your situation, then by all means, submit an application.</p>
<p>But do not have someone else write your essay. As was mentioned above, your group-written essays will stick out like a sore thumb and that alone will give them reason to put your application onto the rejection pile.</p>
<p>Be yourself, and the best way to do that is with your essays.</p>