<p>My son is planning to major in Biomedical Engineering. Recently he received a letter from Rice inviting him to apply and waiving the application fee based on his test scores. After doing a lot of online research, he decided that Rice is definitely on his list of schools to apply to.</p>
<p>So here is the main question - As with a lot of schools, I think Rice looks favorably on having an interview. We can't get to Houston right now (live in Pennsylvania and too much going on with school to get away). On the Rice website it states that you can't request an alumni interview in your area until after you apply. Is there anyway to express interest in Rice and an interview prior to applying?</p>
<p>Here are my son's stats
SAT/ACT: 2180 SAT (Math 700, Verbal 730, Writing 750)
SAT IIs: Taking Chemistry and Biology tests in Dec
AP Tests - US History (5), Chemistry (5), Psychology (5), English Comp (5), currently taking AP Bio and AP Calc
GPA (UW): 3.97, (W):4.06 - school only weights AP courses 6% and Honors course 3%
Rank: 16/300
Leadership Positions: Chairman of the United Way Youth Allocation Panel, Captain of school Brain Busters team.
Awards/Honors: NHS, German NHS, PSAT Commended Student
Other Extra-curricular: Varsity Soccer and Tennis, Peer Tutor thru NHS, attended Mini Med School at Penn State Hershey</p>
<p>Other schools he is applying to are Case Western, Washington Univ at St Louis, Boston Univ, Univ of Minnesota, and Univ of Alabama Birmingham.</p>
<p>few things</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Rice does not have biomedical engineering. They have bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. </p></li>
<li><p>I am not following the question about interest before applying; I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Rice will understand that you live far away and everyone cannot be expected to drop everything and show up at Rice. </p></li>
<li><p>Stats looks good, especially the class rank and GPA. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>Bioengineering and BME are essentially the same thing. Rice’s program is interesting in that they do not have specific concentration tracks–you are open to develop your own based on the technical electives you choose.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback. My concern was that Rice would want to see the expressed interest in an interview and use that in the decision making process. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Interest will definitely help your application. After your son applies, he can schedule an interview and use that interview to demonstrate interest and learn more from the interviewer. </p>
<p>WaitingInCPA, there are other ways your son can show interest. My daughter emailed the heads of the departments she was interested in. Each department had someone contact her. She was able to find out what Rice offered and they helped her see if that would fit into her goals. Sometimes, the student has to call or do more than send an email but the deans and professors are usually very helpful.</p>
<p>Does your son’s school counselor know any Rice students or alum in the area? It would be great if your son could talk to a couple of them. </p>
<p>Talking to professors and students will give your son a better idea of what Rice is like and will help him write his essays for the Rice supplement. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions Ladyengineer2012. I’ll have him get in contact with the head of the Bioengineering department. And check with the guidance counselor.</p>