I’m applying to Rice University this fall under Early Decision, and I’m really struggling with this essay prompt:
The Residential College System is heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What personal perspectives would you contribute to life at Rice? (500 word limit)
I’ve already read just about every forum on this website about this prompt, and I still can’t seem to come up with anything really creative to write about. I haven’t had any “life-changing” experiences that are worth writing about, and I don’t have any cultural traditions. I tried writing about dance and how that impacted me as a person, but it just sounded forced and generic. I recently came up with the idea to write about how living in southern california has shaped my personality, while simultaneously absorbing cultural aspects from Texas, as I have a lot of family there and visit frequently, but I just don’t know if it’s a very strong or unique topic, or how it would contribute to life at Rice. I don’t really know what I’m asking, I guess just if there’s any advice that anyone can provide. Thanks so much for reading all this if you made it this far, and any input would be GREATLY appreciated!
You are unique. Write about what makes you, you. What are your passions? Where do you come from and how has that influenced you? There is no right or wrong answer. Rice is trying to get a glimpse into what makes you tick apart from numbers and scores. Each residential college is a subset of the university as a whole with international students, students from all parts of the US, and students from Texas. My daughter grew up just a few miles away from Rice so she wrote about that and some of her passions… There are athletes, artists, musicians, actors, a cappella singers, ultimate frisbee players, etc. Students in each college run the gamut of natural sciences/humanities/social sciences/engineering/architecture/music majors. There are aspiring doctors, lawyers, computer whizzes, etc. Each residential college is made up of students from all places and backgrounds with different talents and abilities. Rice is rated number one for race/class interaction. Start writing what comes naturally and see how it turns out.
Check the Common App. That essay no longer exists.
I’m sure because I finished the essay before august 1st and took a big blow when it wasn’t on the common app. Wasted so much time for that polished essay…
You don’t have to write it, at least not on the common app AFAIK.
EDIT: I’m wrong. They just hid it away this time. Sorry (I can’t say I’m not elated though).
I wrote mine about a perspective of personality (IDK if that makes any sense), but I’m an aspiring student so I can’t say that it’ll work. It doesn’t have to be a cultural perspective like so many assume (or, at least that’s what I’ve collected).
@Faulkner1897 commented in another Rice thread for ED 2023 about the “hidden” Rice essay as follows: Here is a heads up on the Rice application - there is an essay that does not show up until you fill in the academics section of the Rice questions on the common app. It is set up this way because there are unique questions that appear if you are applying to architecture. But it could surprise someone if they are just glancing at the essays without filling out the basic data first.
Here is the essay question:
Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System is heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What personal perspectives would you contribute to life at Rice? (500 word limit)
It’s a common misconception that the topic itself has to be “strong” and “unique”. It absolutely doesn’t have to be something that has never been heard or seen before. The admissions officers don’t expect a senior in high school to have a life-altering experience to write about.
The success of any college essay lies in the way you write it – in the authenticity of your voice, and in the fact that only YOU could have written it.
The way this essay question is asked, by the way, is also deceptively open-ended. You can write about practically ANY life experience – that’s an exciting level of freedom for you to be as creative as you want to be. As for the cultural traditions option, it doesn’t have to be something that is blatantly cultural, like your geography or politics or religion, for example (although it can be!). Perhaps your family has some tradition that is important to you. Perhaps there is some sort of expectation in your culture that has affected you or the path you have chosen.
This is your chance to share with admissions officers practically anything that you want them to know. Choose wisely, but don’t strive for perfection. Just make it as “you” as you can, and it will be a success.
“Practically anything,” yes. But choose a relevant example, where you can show the qualities or attributes an adcom wants to see in you, for their class. It’s not “just” about that tradition or some life perspective you offer. Not just a descriptive essay.
See how the prompt mentions collaborative and perspective? It would be good to show in your answer how you are collaborative with peers. That’s not just about being on a team, it means show you’re inclusive, open to others’ ideas and engaged, also have your own assets and perspective you contribute. Let them see that.
I think that @lookingforward gives the best advice - write about “qualities or attributes an adcom wants to see in you, for their class”, and also “have your own assets and perspective you contribute”. My daughter is a member of the Rice class of 2022, and she wrote about personal interests and how she would bring her talents to the Rice community, as well as character traits that Rice values (that are genuine to who she is, and in a “show, not tell” way). I read it after she wrote it, and I could see her on campus as a Rice student. That’s what you want the admission officers to feel after they read your Rice supplemental essay.