help a girl out please

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>I've already post this in "What Are My Chances?", but I thought I'll post again in here since I'm assuming people that come in here currently or formerly attend Rice or at least know a lot about Rice. </p>

<p>I'm applying Rice ED, but I live in Houston, Texas well actually a suburb of Houston
I really want to go to Rice. I love Houston, even the weather (I can't stand the cold) & I like that Rice is prestigious yet has a smaller more intimate atmosphere. (Currently I'm attending the high school summer school there so I really want to go now)</p>

<p>So, here are my stats:
GPA: 3.88/4.0
5.35/6.0
i'm ranked at top 1-2% ish currently
1500 on old sat, 2110 on new i'm taking new again in october
satII: 750 math IIC 710 physics
i've taken 4 ap classes so far, 9 next year
only score i know is 5 on compsci A
I've taken all honors classes that are avaliable to me. Stuff like PE or health and such are just regular since honors is not offered. </p>

<p>as for extracurriculars,
very active in student council, held officer positions every year: president, vp, school wide secretary (different years of course)
member in mu alpha theta, debate, YES (our volunteering club)
i've done over 200 hours of volunteering in places like environmental groups and literacy programs for under-priveleged kids
i'm going to start volunteering at local hospital this month. i have a job with a physican basically working in the front & designing her website</p>

<p>i think i have good relationship w. all my teachers & counselor so hopefully good recommendations, essay will be ok to good (i'm not the greatest writer), but i usually do well in interviews.</p>

<p>I'm a Chinese girl, hoping to be a doctor. I go to a public high school; its not like famous or anything but not too shabby. I'm interested in the Rice/Baylor program too but I know my chances of getting in is slim to none, but I'm going to fill out the application anyways. Doesnt hurt to try, right?</p>

<p>welps, thanks in advance =)</p>

2

<p>you have very good chances for ed. are you a nmsf?</p>

3

<p>you have excellent chances as long as you work hard on your essay. listen to what your friends are doing and read books on interesting ideas, and then forget everything you heard. make sure you do something completely unique to your personality and very creative. the best essays are always 'slice-of-life' essays where you take just a bit of your life and show the reader the person you are through it. i suggest you spend lots of time thinking about interesting approaches to your essay, because it is the only personal conversation you get to have with the admissions officer. your stats and ecs are sparkling, now dont blow this part off. it weighs heavily on your chances. good luck!</p>

4

<p>hey thanks for the replies.
I'm not sure if I'm nmsf yet. I got a 218. In Texas its been like 214-216 range for semi-finalist, but since the test changed I dont know if that range is still applicable. crossing my finger that the cutoff doesnt increase.</p>

<p>--</p>

<p>I'll definitely take your advice for the essay portion, CARiceGirl. Hopefully I'll come up with something to write about over the summer.</p>

5

<p>um. question:
you know how rice requires 2 SATIIs that pertain to your field of interest does that mean if I want to major in bio I have to take the SATII bio test? what about someone who wants to major in economics? there isnt an economics test...</p>

6

<p>I don't think they follow that policy that closely. I put that I will want to study Spanish but I took writing, math, and us history for my sat IIs.</p>

7

<p>Isn't there AP Econ/Gov</p>

8

<h2>ap wouldnt count as the sat II's right?</h2>

<p>what do they usually ask during interviews?</p>

9

<p>AP and SAT II are completely different and fulfill different roles.</p>

10

<p>But the AP is tougher.</p>

11

<p>why not apply ID?
it doesn't seem to conflict with anything</p>

12

<p>Bilabong;
What is ID?
We're familiar with ED, EDII etc.
Thanks!
Softball Dad</p>

13

<p>Rice is my first choice aka dream college so ED is best for me. </p>

<p>Okay; so there's this girl at my school who is applying ED also to Rice and has basically all-around better stats/ec than me. She even write better essays & will have better teacher recommendations than me. Bascially your close to perfect student. Do you think that will hurt my chances since ad com people can compare us and, of course, favor her over me?</p>

14

<p>ID is Interim Decision.</p>

<p>It's not legally binding nor exclusive like Early Decision, but you still apply and receive the decision earlier than Regular Decision.</p>

<p>KitKat:
Do your best. Rice isn't going to pick her over you simply because she <em>might</em> have a better application. You'll be evaluated on your own strengths. So present yourself well, do the best you can in school and on the tests, and BE yourself. Don't worry about her. What's the worst that can happen?</p>

15

<p>yea i keep telling myself that but i'm still worried.</p>

16

<p>Your chances are excellent for Rice. The Rice/Baylor program is indeed difficult to get into, but your EC activities, especially those involving medicine, make you a strong candidate. Do apply to the program and spend some quality time on the essays for the app. </p>

<p>Remember not to place too much emphasis on your SAT/SATII scores. Small score differences (such as 50 points) are probably nominal in the eyes of admissions committees. Your overall academic and EC record defines who you are and whether you make a suitable Rice student.</p>

<p>Finally, other applicants from your high school will have little effect on your chances for admission. As wrprice said, you should place your focus on presenting yourself instead.</p>