<p>Thanks for helping me get a better feel for Rice guys, but I still don't know have a feel for how hard it is to get in, so any input would be helpful</p>
<p>Female - California native</p>
<p>GPA: 4.3
soph year- honors alg 2/trig, AP euro, english, chemistry, spanish 3 ect.
junior year- AP calc AB, honors spanish 4, honors english, art 2, AP US, Journalism, Physics
next year- basically all the APs possible</p>
<p>SAT: 2100 (this is without studying, I'll take it again after i study this summer)
SAT 2: 730 literature, 750 US history, 630 math (horrible, im retaking it)</p>
<p>EC's
Youth Council - 7 years, vp one year, president one year (?)
Youth Educator
Relay for Life coordinator 2 years
Journalism - opinions editor, CCC award for Best Columns, LIP board (hopefully)
Gymnastics 2 yrs Varsity
National Merit
CSF
Homecoming Comittee
tutor
Work - volunteer one summer, work 2 summers at same summer school</p>
<p>I seriously am retaking my SATs and I think I can boost it alot by studying. Those aren't all my EC's and I know I dont have that many, but Youth Council and Journalism are pretty substantial commitments. Feel free to be brutally honest...</p>
<p>chances are pretty good. go ahead and retake the SAT if you want to do even better, but your score is good as it is. Take the Math SAT II again though. Which math level is it? Schedule looks pretty good. GPA is great. About the EC's -- remember that it is better to have a stronger commitment in a few rather than a weaker commitment in many. So when you say you dont have many EC's but you do have substantial commitments, that's a good thing.</p>
<p>I think you do have a good shot. I had a similar GPA (actually at the time of application I had a 4.24). I did not have good SAT scores 1300 and then SAT Writing 650, Math IC (is that what it is called? the one before IIC) 660, US History 630. So I honestly don't think that those kind of stats matter that much. I did make up for a lot that was slacking in that area by having stellar ECs. President of numerous clubs, at least 500 community service hours, Varsity Mens' Volleyball, a whole bunch more all throughout my high school career (which I think is important because it showed that I didn't just throw in ECs my senior year to get into college). But I think you do have a really good shot. Write an awesome essay. I think that helped me a lot too. I had an essay that (i think) made me stick out from the bunch. I got into UNC and UVA using pretty much the same essay.</p>
<p>I agree with torrestowers - I had a 1320 SAT but LOTS of community service hours/leadership roles and lots of ECs with good stats (state champ, etc.) but if you ask me I think that despite some really good EC's my essay was one of the top reasons I was accepted. With standardized scores (and GPA stuff for that matter) every school preps their students differently so oppurtunities can vary across the board - for instance, my school didnt offer much in the way of SAT prep but I know kids who were required to take those classes - it depends on what the administrators put the most attention to. Yet, despite what the quality of your educational background, you can always distinguish yourself in EC's, and even more so in Community Service, where there is a constant need and therefore demand for people to help out. So, write, edit, rewrite your essay - make it come alive and invoke emotion in the admissions board, so by the time theyre finished reading, they feel like they really know what kiind of person you are. My advice - describe a problem that you have faced and what you have done to overcome it - the biggest thing that they are looking for is character and you want to show that A) you not only have it but B) you are continuing to develop it. At least, that is what I would look for if I were them.</p>
<p>Great stats, good (but not too many) ECs. Write a unique and interesting essay w/out major spelling/grammar errors and I'd say you've got a pretty decent shot.</p>
<p>Your scores are good enough, I'd say. I know mine were probably worse when I applied, so don't stress too much over them. If you really feel like you underachieved, do what you must. Get the SAT II math score up if you like... the SAT I score improvement might not be worth your time and the cost of the test, but it's up to you.</p>
<p>Again, write a great essay. Do the optional alumni interview. Take the advice people give you, but avoid coming across as formulaic. Be yourself, have confidence, and enjoy these quick steps on your way to the next part of your life.</p>