<p>I'm only a sophomore right now, but I was wondering what I should work on if my first choice of school is Rice. I know GPA is about the last thing they look at, but:</p>
<p>GPA: (roughly) 3.6/4.0
Pre PSAT: 1720 (I'll have to work on this though considering I hadn't studied because I didn't even know we had it that week...)</p>
<p>Orchestra: 4 years (3 years in top group)
4 years Octathlon/Decathlon competition
Volunteer in community, library, (looking to volunteer at some type of medical research center, if possible)
Venture club, Girl Scouts (Silver award recipient, future Gold award recipient), puppetry troupe
Planning on teaching at kid's summer science camps this upcoming summer vacation
German club (3 years)
Planning on playing with Virtuosi youth orchestra my senior year (have to wait on admission because of rigorous school schedule)
NHS
Region Orchestra (planning for all 4 years), planning on trying for state next year
1s in class 1 UIL/district solo/ensemble compeitions; State UIL competitor
4 years Texas music award
So far: roughly 100 hours of community service</p>
<p>Considering schooling in Germany for a year after graduation (not final though)
Invites from colleges to audition for scholorships/music schools
Total AP tests by end of high school: 11
During college years, am considering taking summer apprentenship through Shell Oil corp (I want to be a chemist/lab researcher)
Now looking at a leadership opportunity though Girl Scouts</p>
<p>Well, being from Texas could be a downfall, that's what I'm worried most about...</p>
<p>Do you guys have any recommendations or critic? Thanks for taking the time to read this... :)</p>
<p>It’s a little bit difficult to judge you as a sophomore, but here are my thoughts:</p>
<p>Being from Texas won’t hurt you. There are a lot of Texas applicants. Once application time comes, you’ll want to make sure you can separate yourself from the pack.</p>
<p>A 172 sophomore PSAT score is good. Your score will improve when you take it next year. The SAT will be longer, but you won’t have to worry about that in a little while. Also, Rice requires two SAT subject tests if you choose to submit the SAT. You should take a subject test at the end of the school year for a subject that you are pretty good at.</p>
<p>You may not want to finalize all of the plans you have made. Things can change and you may not have time for everything.</p>
<p>Try to earn good grades and do things that you love. Don’t just do things because you think it will help you get into college.</p>
<p>Also, love your username (from a fellow orchdork).</p>
<p>Being from Texas will most likely be a disadvantage statistically. You would want your SAT score to be higher than 1720. You could also try taking the ACT. Try to increase your GPA and class rank.</p>
<p>SaintSaens-
Thank you for your post, I really appreciate it! I’ve been looking at Rice for some time now because it offers exactly what I’m looking for: a great quality education (plus it just happens to be well known for the major I’m looking at) with a diverse campus life that’s not too too far away from home. I’ll keep that second SAT test in mind, I had no idea those were required. Also, I agree, never do something just for the resume (most likely, I wouldn’t benefit from that anyways; you usually don’t excel in something your not passionate about…)</p>
<p>Modulation-</p>
<p>Thank you as well, I’ll definately have to take the ACT and work on that class rank. :)</p>
<p>um I don’t want to sound disrespectful in any way Modulation, seeing as you go to Rice…but 45% of acceptees of RIce are from TX…living in TX is a huge advantage…I use to go to hs in TX and one senior class had like 12 accepted to Rice…</p>
<p>^^ thats flawed logic</p>
<p>simply because there are more texas people at rice does not mean that its easier to get in. It means MANY more texans apply. if you accept 10% of the texas applicants and 100% of the applicants from lesotho or The Falkland Islands, then yuo will have like 1000 texans admitted and 1 guy from the other two</p>