High School vs College Grades/ECs

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>I am definitely transferring from my current school (decent NW public university) after my sophomore year (2014-15). If I did apply to Rice, it would be the most prestigious school I'd apply to. I'm not sure if I should apply with my high school stats. My college stats on the other hand are quite strong, so I wonder if Rice would take notice of my improvement or just look at my high school stats in disgust. Here's my stats just to give you an idea in the difference:</p>

<p>High School:
School - US News Top 300 High Schools
GPA - 3.2 UW
Rank - Top 50%
ECs - Freelance filmmaker with good clients
SAT - 1800 (only took once)
ACT - 27 (only took once)
AP Scholar with Distinction (3.5+ average score w/ at least 3 on 5 exams)</p>

<p>College:
School - Forbes Top 250 (public)
GPA - 4.0
Courses - gen eds, upper division econ and math courses
Major - econ and computer science double w/ math minor
ECs/Work - 20-30 hrs/wk media internship with athletic department, 8 hrs/wk working TV broadcasts for sporting events
Recommendations - could easily get letter of rec from math instructor and possibly director of undergrad studies in computer science department</p>

<p>As you can see the grades are quite different even though my time commitment outside of school is much greater. If anyone has any idea how Rice (or colleges in general) deal with this, I'd appreciate the information. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Generally, schools look at high school stats a bit more during a bit more as a sophomore transfer and weigh your college stats more as a junior transfer. Since you fall into the latter category, I would expect Rice (and other colleges you apply to) will look more at what you’ve done in your college career. The one caveat I have is that Rice emphasizes on having a good holistic application, so having an impressive application in all facets would be the best situation. But I think if you use your essays to explain how you developed to flourish in college, you could knock this one in your favor.</p>

<p>Predicting transfer admissions is harder than predicting freshman admissions, but as far as I can tell, the admissions office would be hard pressed trying to find any sort of weakness in what you’ve done in college.</p>

3

<p>Both grades will be looked at, although from what I know, the more recent ones are given more weight. The fact that your grades have improved will definitely help your case.</p>

<p>Can you retake your SAT?</p>