Rice Questions- admissions and general

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Hi everyone. I'm going to be applying to Rice this fall and I wanted to know a few things:</p>

<ol>
<li>Is it easier to get in for ED (especially because its my number #1 choice)?</li>
<li>What's your favorite thing about Rice?</li>
<li>Do you like the Residential College system? </li>
<li>How is the social life considering there isn't greek life?</li>
<li>Is the work load manageable? </li>
<li>Do you notice an overly competitive environment?</li>
<li>Any tips to help get into Rice? </li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks so much!!</p>

2

<p>In general, your questions are answered if you read through the forum.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Acceptance rate is higher for ED, but those who apply tend to have outstanding stats and pocket books (to accept the FA offer whatever it is, or isn’t)</p></li>
<li><p>In your second semester, nearly finished of your junior year, if you haven’t done it by now, there isn’t a lot left you can do. Write good essays and get good letter of recommendations.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>What are your stats currently?</p>

<p>What are your plans for summer?</p>

3

<p>Find something you are passionate about and figure out how to convey that in your essays and personal interview.</p>

<p>My son is somewhat of an introvert and did not come on as strong as he needed to to show he feels passionately about what he enjoys.</p>

4

<p>Hi, Caligirl! I’m not a current student (I’ll be starting at Rice in the fall), but I’ll try and answer some of your questions as best as I can. :)</p>

<p>1) As the above poster said, acceptance rates are higher for ED. For 2011, the ED acceptance rate was 29%, whereas the RD acceptance rate was 18%. So it is a pretty big jump. However, I think there is some merit to the statement that stronger applicants do tend to apply early. (It feels really vain writing that, since I got in ED…) But don’t let that discourage you if Rice is your #1 choice. Even if you’re not accepted in December and are deferred, it does show a lot of demonstrated interest that can help you in the second round. On that note, though, I’d make it a point to visit Rice if you can before you apply ED. Not just from the demonstrated interest perspective, but I personally think it’s really important that one truly knows their ED school firsthand before they make that huge commitment. And as far as Financial Aid goes, even though I was committed to attend Rice, I’ve still had a significant amount of assistance from the FA officers. My aid package wasn’t absolutely great per se, but I wasn’t completely thrown under the bus just because I got in ED, either. Nevertheless, your family’s ability to pay is definitely something to consider if you’re applying ED, so definitely keep that in mind. </p>

<p>3-4) Again, I’m not a current student, but universally, the students that I’ve personally met and have talked to at Rice love the residential college system. That’s not the case for everyone, but I’d venture to say that for the vast majority of students, they truly love it. When I stayed at one of the colleges for Owl Days, I really got a sense of how much interaction there is within (and between!) all the different colleges. If you’re able to make a visit, you’ll really get a sense of how extremely inclusive the system is. I know that my multiple visits to Rice have significantly opened my eyes in that regard. </p>

<p>7) When I applied, I tried to keep this in mind, and I’d like to think that it’s applicable to others, but I’d say that just portraying your true self in your application is one of the most important things to do. I have friends who are brilliant people, but can come off as really impersonal and rather robotic in their writing. So, I’d spend a pretty big chunk of time really getting to the heart of the essays on Rice’s application and coming up with genuine, personal responses that let the admissions officers see who you are. I know that probably sounds kind of generic, but I think conveying your true personality is particularly important with a school like Rice. You’re going to be answering prompts about a variety of different subjects, sure, but in the end, the goal of all the essays is to led the admissions committee get to know you.</p>

<p>I hope some of that helps! Again, I’m just a freshman-to-be who was lucky enough to be admitted, so take everything with a grain of salt, haha. Best of luck in the fall!</p>

5

<ol>
<li>What’s your favorite thing about Rice?</li>
</ol>

<p>Too many things to decide. If I had to pick one thing it would be the residential college system, as it is a bit of an umbrella-answer. That system completely revolutionizes the way of life on campus and makes the university truly unique. I’m absolutely in love with it.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do you like the Residential College system?</li>
</ol>

<p>See above.</p>

<ol>
<li>How is the social life considering there isn’t greek life?</li>
</ol>

<p>It’s great. The colleges sort of take the place of frats and sororities, except you are placed in one and accepted without question–so no hazing or anything.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is the work load manageable?</li>
</ol>

<p>Very. Rice students somehow find the time and resources to do everything from a full schedule to a social life to tons of extracurriculars. We tend to overload ourselves. However, the work load of classes itself is very manageable.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do you notice an overly competitive environment?</li>
</ol>

<p>Nope! Rice students are some of the most friendly and cooperative people you’ll ever meet. Most people work together to study for exams and stuff that are coming up. The only competition I see is people competing with themselves to do the best they can.</p>

<ol>
<li>Any tips to help get into Rice? </li>
</ol>

<p>Write great essays, show Rice who you really are (not who you think they want you to be) and why you would be valuable to the community. Everyone has something good to bring to the table, so make sure you highlight that.</p>

6

<p>^ re # 6</p>

<p>is homework collaborative?</p>

7

<p>In general yes, homework is collaborative, and if you want to work with someone else, you can probably find someone else who is willing to. Sometimes homeworks are done under the honor code (these are usually the bigger points homeworks that are graded) and then you usually have to do them by yourself, but it all depends on whether the professor allows collaboration or not. But, it seems that if it is up to the students there is generally some degree of working together, if not doing the whole thing together at least discussing any problems.</p>