Does anyone have any tips on how to stand out to the admissions team for Rice University? I don’t mean high test scores, plenty of people get those and get rejected (I just watched a video where someone got rejected from Rice but accepted into Stanford). How do I show that I truly have an interest in them during the interview? Or in my college essay?
It seems almost impossible to stand out when everyone else also has great tests scores, a high gpa, and solid extracurriculars. So what do you think makes those accepted different? I’ve been wondering if it is the essay and the letter of recommendation. I know I have good letters of recommendation on the way, but didn’t most people who already score high and got rejected have good ones as well?
I guess I’m just asking how to make those reviewing my information for admissions stop for a second and notice me.
Edit: Do you think sending more than 3 letters of recommendation too much? Maybe 4? Can I do that if I wanted to?
My daughter was accepted on the ED round. Not sure what stood out from her application. This is some of the things she did that might or might not have gotten attention. For her interview, she brought a resume. From what i gather, the interviewer used the resume to ask questions. For her essay, she kept it light and funny, she wrote how she learned to make plush toys from Youtube. On the Common App, when she listed her 10 activities, she wrote that drawing anime as #1 and it took most of her time. She submitted one of her drawings as her picture box. She was applying to engineering. She tried to show that she is not all about studying, but had many quirky interests.
I’ve heard about the Rice Box. I’m not exactly sure what it is but I’ll look into it. From what I gather, you are supposed to submit a photo that you like? Was her essay on hobbies she enjoys? Thanks for the reply!
Also, did she post academic scores on her resume? Or was it extracurriculars?
Her essay was about learning to make plush toys from Youtube. Her resume is divided into three: academics (GPA, Rank, ACT score), activities, honors/awards.
Thanks for the reply. I would have never thought to write about something like that, but I can understand how it stands out and shows personality beyond “I’m a good student.” Now I’m not really sure what I will write about.
In recent years, Rice seems to be taking more students ED than it did in the past. If Rice is definitely your number one choice, and you can afford the price (run the net price calculator), then I suggest you apply ED rather than RD. Your application will stand out more in the ED round as there are many more applicants for RD than ED. The admit rates for ED are higher than the RD admit rates.
One thing I have learned from this admissions process with my daughter this year is that it’s very unpredictable. Like the last poster said, if you have a strong favorite and can afford it, apply ED. Otherwise, apply to a range of schools and be prepared for the unexpected!
To stand out at schools like Rice, I would just say to try to be yourself and express who you are in your application. You’ll have an opportunity in your essays to let them know what kind of person you are. Don’t just say what you think they want to hear. Try to say something that not everyone else can or will say. We had an admissions counselor tell us they get 1000’s of common app essays about student athletes who come back from adversity to lead their team to some great victory. That is a lovely story, but not unique. Try to express what makes you unique and what you will bring to the community.
Demonstrate interest, even if you’re applying ED!