<p>I am applying to Rice ED next year. I believe I have great stats in school - ranked 2/600+ students, 103.1 GPA, and a slew of extracurricular/volunteer activities that involve research at a university. </p>
<p>However, my test scores are subpar... I guess I'm just bad at these kinds of tests? I have a 2190 SAT (700 Math, 700 Reading, 790 Writing, 11 Essay). I took it a second time and scored even lower, so I think 2190 is the highest I can get.</p>
<p>On the April ACT, I got a 30 (29 Reading, 31 Math, 31 Reading, 30 Science). Should I retake for a better score? I took a practice test prior to the actual test, but I don't know if I could do better a second time. </p>
<p>As a whole, though, how are these scores looking for Rice? I know that everything is looked at holistically, but they are still undoubtedly a factor, and should I not fare well in the Rice ED round, I'd like to be competitive at other universities too, not just Rice. </p>
<p>I'd appreciate any input.</p>
<p>A 2190 is within the middle 50%. I wouldn’t worry too much about that. You’re on the lower range of the math, but it’s not a huge deal.</p>
<p>Your composite SAT score (2190) isn’t an issue as much as your 1400 (Critical Reading +Math). It’s below the 25 percetile for accepted applicatants (Middle 50%: 1420-1540 in 2010)</p>
<p>Otherwise, you are a fantastic applicant. Good job on the class rank in particular!</p>
<p>Spend ample time on your application - essays in particular - and you’d stand a decent chance.</p>
<p>Yeah, the math is what I am most concerned about for SAT, as I know that most Rice applicants generally have a high math subscore. Being in the ‘lower’ percentile range doesn’t hurt TOO much, correct, if other areas of my application compensate for this?</p>
<p>You’re academics are strong, and scores aren’t everything, but if you’re concerned about it I’d suggest retaking the ACT. I (and everyone else who’s I’ve spoken to) found it easier to raise my ACT score compared to my SAT score.</p>
<p>“It’s below the 25 percetile for accepted applicatants (Middle 50%: 1420-1540 in 2010)”
Can I know where you got the percentile from? Because I got a 1340 (math + cr) and I never realized I was THAT low in the percentiles of accepted students.</p>
<p>Source:
[Rice</a> University | Undergraduate Admission: Future Owls](<a href=“http://www.futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Freshman_Profile.asp?SnID=1233481993]Rice”>http://www.futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Freshman_Profile.asp?SnID=1233481993)</p>
<p>This doesn’t apply to you, janeyyet, since Rice has obviously taken your ACT score (33) - for which the middle 50% is 31-34 for accepted applicants.</p>
<p>For TS, however, his or her SAT range (Cr/M) is imperative…unless ACT can substitute for the SAT like it did for you, janeyyet.</p>
<p>In any case, I think TS stands a solid chance even with a 1400. But with applications getting more competitive every year, it doesn’t hurt to bring his score range within the middle 50%. I think that’s pretty fair to say.</p>
<p>I would say retake either test to try to improve the score, but if you can’t it won’t be the end of the world. Your scores are a bit low for Rice, but the rest of your app is very impressive, so I don’t think it will hurt your chances too much.</p>
<p>If you are retaking the ACT, I would highly recommend taking the three practice tests that come with The Real ACT, as they are the closest thing you’ll get to taking the ACT itself and are probably better than any kind of “normal” studying. After all, the ACT is the type of test that you really just get better at by taking it, so you learn HOW to take it.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone for their help! What kind of ACT score would be considered ‘safe’ (i.e. better than the average)? I think I’ll still send in both ACT and SAT in the end, though, since I have performed well on my SAT subjects. Rice will just look at the higher of the scores, so it won’t matter too much?</p>
<p>31+ would be nice
(middle 50% of ACT scores for accepted students was 31-34 in 2010)</p>
<p>Since you’ve already scored a 30 on your most recent ACT, this shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.</p>
<p>Thank you very much! I feel a lot better now. :)</p>
<p>Hey everybody! I just got my June ACT test scores back - 33 Composite (34 English, 33 Math, 33 Reading, 30 Science, waiting for essay). Compared to the 1400 CR+M for SAT, I should be good now, right? :D</p>
<p>Congrats on the test score!</p>
<p>Just my $0.02 - I’m going to to be a freshman at Rice, and I got a 1900 on the SAT. However, I had a fantastic interview, audition (I’m a music major), and grade point average. SAT scores are not 100% of what the application committee looks at.</p>
<p>Thanks, Antarius and ninjapianist! I was just mostly worried about my Math+CR score since it was below the average, but I think my ACT score will put me back in the running! 
Although, the Rice website says the average ACT score is 30-34, which is kind of a broad range, but who knows!</p>
<p>ninjapianist - Music majors and architecture students go through a separate admissions process. The conventional stats still matter, but there is emphasis on auditions, your skills and portfolio.</p>
<p>overthecrest - Don’t worry about it. They take the best score (which is your ACT). Your score is well within the range of acceptance.</p>