Few Extracurriculars & Rice

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

Hey guys,

So I have come to the realization I need a great amount of ECs to get into a university like Rice. Unfortunately, I am a Junior, and I only have Orchestra for 2 years, Spanish (self-taught to be able to speak with a lot of my family) since 7th grade, and that is all. I speak conversational French, second (maybe first) best in my school. Outside of school, I love to study financial markets such as Stocks, ForEx, Futures, etc. I love to study Computer science, but I am enrolled in comp sci classes at my HS. I would be majoring in Comp Sci at Rice as well. I also love to study foreign languages as well. My lack of EC’s is mostly due to keeping my grades high (GPA is 3.74, weighted is probably like 3.85, yeah, bad) and also I work with my dad in order to support our family. We have an EFC of 0, and household income is <26,000 for 3 people. I also forgot to mention I volunteer at the library and I also teach computer science to kids here. I’m URM as well.

So, am I out of luck for Rice, or can I bring up my grades and do some ECs junior year, and have a chance?

TL;DR I don’t have that many ECs but a lot of hooks, will Rice take me if I do some ECs and bring my grades up Junior and Senior year?

2

Also, I should mention I’m rank 80/870 and I’m in French Honour Society

3

Are you an international? Or Canadian? Just wondering based on the spelling of “Honour”.

4

Good eye! Nope, I was born in Texas, and I still live in the city I was born in, it’s how I was taught, by my parents

5

ECs sound doable if you have a narrative that suggests direction. Helping to support the family could be a plus. Read the list of accepted students from this year or last to see examples. Our accepted d had few ECs, but a narrative that suggested focus.

6

Employment is an EC. Dont throw in some new ECs just because you think it will look good on your application.