Public Policy at Rice: Chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>I'm a junior, going to competitive IB school in Oregon (public)</p>

<p>SCHOOL STATS:
GPA - 3.98 unweighted/ 4.33 weighted
- I am an IB Diploma student
- major:Public Policy
- Rank: 5/550</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Caucasian
Socio-Economic Status: Middle-Class</p>

<p>Awards:
-Scholar of the Month
- National Honor Society
- Honor Roll
- Duke of Spirit
- Coach's Award
- Selected to be a Congressional Page
- Featured in State Newspaper, Local Newspaper, News Station
for Share the Sole</p>

<p>Extracirriculars:
-Track (3 years) - Varsity Letter, Capt. Senior year
-Cross Country (3 years) - Captain, Varsity, Prestigous Coach's Award for Leadership and excellence on the team, 1 per year
-Mayors Youth Advisory Board (2 years) - Co-Chair, going to Washington DC for a National Conference on it, Historian also.
-Uganda Club (3 years) - Organized fast for malaria, President
(raised $20,000 this year for our Sister School)
- Freshman Treasurer
- FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) - President this year and next. Founder last year
- National Honor Society, Vice President next year, Fundraiser this year.</p>

<p>Running - 4:29 for the 1500. 2:04 for 800. Too Slow to run at any Div. 1 school obviously, but I have talked to the Coaches at Claremont Mckenna and Pomona and I could run for them both. The Pomona Coach said he felt I would get in, but he just asked for my grades/courseload.</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:
- 190 Hours at Beaverton Library helping Children
- 40 Hours working at Senior Center
- IB Executive Committee, organized/made advertising
campaign for IB Iron Chef fundraiser
- Student Staff Action Council</p>

<p>Summer: This summer, I was selected to be a Congressional Page for David Wu. After that, I am going to do research with a Psychology Professor at OHSU (research on eating disorders if that matters).</p>

<p>Would it make a difference if David Wu wrote a letter of rec?</p>

<p>Hook: Started an Organization/Project that works with corporations and local donors and gets brand new running shoes and donates them to low income High Schools so that student athletes who are unfortunate can have new running shoes and can run without hurting their feet. Named it "Share the Sole"</p>

<p>ACT: 30 (should i take the SAT?)
SAT II: took US History 660 :/ (not going to submit)
APUSH Test: 4</p>

<ul>
<li>Starting Essays this summer, should be solid. I am going to get a rec. from my English teacher who says I am one of the most exceptional students she has had in her career, and another from my Psychology teacher (and Extended Essay Advisor). Both should be excellent.</li>
</ul>

<p>Colleges: My opinion
- Pomona -
- Claremont Mckenna
- Bowdoin College -
- Rice U
- Whitman College -
- UO Honors College -</p>

2

<p>Your stats look great! One thing caught my eye, though -- you said you aren't going to submit your SATII history score, but you ask if you should take the SAT. Keep in mind that if you DO take it, and score well enough that you want to submit your SAT instead of/in addition to your ACT, the college will also see your SATII scores. </p>

<p>By the way, that 660 won't necessarily sink you as long as your other stats are attractive. My son had similar SAT II scores but was still admitted to Rice (and all the other colleges to which he applied) on the strength of the rest of his application.</p>

3

<p>^ Rice requires two SAT II scores anyway.</p>

<p>To the OP: Looks good. ECs are very good, rank + GPA are excellent. Rice requires two SAT Subject Tests. I'd recommend taking two more Subject Tests -- Rice will look at your two highest scores, so if your other scores are > 660, Rice will ignore your US History score. Or, just take one more test, because a 660 won't ruin your chances. Also, my suggestion is to take a practice SAT. If you score higher</a> than your ACT score, take the SAT. Put a lot of care into your application, especially the essays. Good luck.</p>

4

<p>I think I am going to take the SAT II Biology (e) and SAT II Math II in October. I'm glad that my scores won't ruin me. Thank you for being so helpful! Anyone else? Is there anything I can do to improve (besides scores)?</p>

5

<p>Your major doesn't matter when you apply; though you would be applying to the school of social sciences, the admissions process for the four main academic schools is virtually the same.</p>

<p>Also, it is worth condidering that while there is a policy studies major at Rice, it only exists as a second major; you have to do it with something else. That's usually not an issue, but it's not inconsequential.</p>

6

<p>That is good to know. I would probably major in Political Science, Psychology or English.</p>