<p>I want to know about the letters of rec as well. Just stick with what they say or add another one. I have a boss that is a very important member of our city and a rec from him would look good. On the other hand I read in one of those books about getting into college that you should stick with what they tell you. I guess they will be going through 8.000 applications so the thinner the file on each person the better.</p>
<p>I sent in two letters of recommendation, since most of the other colleges I applied to asked for two. Two is pretty much the standard number for recs, and I think sending in any more (say, three or four) would be going a little overboard. When you pick the two letters, you should make sure that each would give the admissions officer a distinctive perspective of yourself - in other words, make sure you have a good reason for sending each of those letters. </p>
<p>Just my 2 cents! =)</p>
<p>i am applying, probably ID.</p>
<p>and i'm from austin, texas</p>
<p>I'm applying ID -- CA.</p>
<p>Don't y'all think we're kinda shooting ourselves in the foot by applying ID because it seems like EVERYONE applies ID. It almost seems to me like I should apply RD and have a better chance. Whadayall think?</p>
<p>No, definitely stick with applying ID. ID and EA both have, in the past, had nearly identical rates of admission, with the admission rate dropping sharply for RD applicants. EA and ID both show special interest in attending Rice, and it's always nice to find out sooner than later.</p>
<p>No foot-shooting involved in applying ID at all.</p>
<p>Not to mention that EA/ID give you the chance for deferral, where the best you can hope for if you're borderline on RD is the wait list.</p>
<p>I applied ID and was deferred to RD, at which point I was accepted. (ID acceptance rates include those that are deferred for a second look, so I'm told.) I think of it as an "extra chance" that RD doesn't get.</p>