<p>I'm posted this on another forum, but I'll probably get more feedback and suggestions in here.</p>
<p>Hi everyone, my name is Andrew and Rice has been my one of my top choices, better yet, my dream school. I really really wanted to go to Rice University because I'm drawn to its friendly and open environment. I'm currently a junior in a non-competitive poor high school, with a 3.8 GPA and currently (and hoping to raise) a 1610/2400 SAT. However, I'm really let down because I'm pretty sure my mediocre stats would give me very little chance of getting in. But I'm starting to learn about the university itself and surf their site, gather information and email them. I really wanted to show the college that I am genuinely interested to Rice. Somehow, I was thinking that the only way that I could show my eagerness is to apply ED.</p>
<p>Which leads me to my question. Will applying ED to Rice hurts my chances with F.A.? I'm from a low income family <30k and I'm aware of how Rice meets 100% need and no loans for that type of income. Sure, I have a little chance of getting in, but maybe applying ED or EA will maybe increase my chances, but might affect my FA? I'm just curious as to what you guys think about this.</p>
<p>No. It shouldn't hurt your chances of Financial Aid - BUT you will not be able to compare packages. We have found Rice to be very fair in Financial aid.</p>
<p>I don't think it should hurt your chances at all. I applied ED and my parents also make under 30 thousand. Yet they estimated a full ride in grants and work aid. I won't find out the official package until late April but I am hopeful that they will come through.</p>
<p>hey andrew I was recently accepted under early decision. I believe that applying early decision ameliorates your chances of admission since it shows ur eagerness and desire to go there. Also, emailing them before you even apply is a very good thing. By the time i applied the admissions people already knew me my email and phone so they recognized my application right away and i think that might have helped also. My father also makes under 30k and they estimated a full ride for me. They are very generous in their financial aid and the hard thing is just getting in. dont worry about your sats as much, I mean they are important but not the most poignant part of the application. go for an interview and make them see you for the person that you are. I said it many times during mine how bad i wanted to go to rice and i think that it helped alot too. In my case, My sats were lower since english inst my main language but my sat2 were pretty good. dont be discouraged by your diffficulties in a specific test. just believe and have fatith in yourself and it will happen. early decision people have a smaller pool of people they are competing against so in my opinion it is easier to get in. I cant wait to go to Rice this fall. good luck to you man.</p>