If they’re looking for geographic diversity, being in-state would be a disadvantage for obvious reasons.
@silverdrop that’s what I thought too. Oh well, hope the odds are in our favors.
@DL43516 it also probably depends where in Texas you’re from. Dallas/Houston/Austin/etc., maybe not. Rural north Texas? Maybe a boost, both in terms of geographic diversity and lack of regional competitiveness.
@silverdrop that’s true, but I still think being OOS is better. But, I think geography plays a very miniscule role in admissions in the end.
Based on statistics, it seems that private schools like Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Rice, etc all have a fairly large in-state population. I’m kind of confused as to why, too. My dad suggested that it may have something to do with maintaining friendly relationship with the state government…?
^maybe it’s because many in state people apply
@fairyfantasy proximity could mean more applicants and more admissions, assuming the acceptance rate is the same in-state/out-of-state.
Just my guess, though.
Did anyone request an interview, or has anyone had one yet? 
@DL43516 I had applied by December 1 so as to get a local interview. However, there was no one in my area who could offer me one 
Go figure lol
Awh, that’s unfortunate @Belizeme at least you tried! I don’t think Rice puts any real weight into interviews anyway, so it shouldn’t matter much.
My apologies if this has been discussed already…does Rice require the first semester grades to be sent in? I checked the portal and don’t see it.
I thought all colleges saw your first semester grades on the CommonApp? I dunno, I just assumed.
My S had a Skype interview because there were no local interviewers. This isn’t shocking since we live in the sticks. I thought the questions were pretty tough. His interviewer is actually a med student at Rice now.
Hi everybody! Massachusetts applicant here. Rice is one of my top choices- I love the residential college system (and I want to be warm…)
Are any of you guys doing an overnight? I’m going on one this February.
I think almost all colleges will see your first semester grades! Most high schools send them out automatically. I know Tufts’ requirement is that they get first semester grades by February 15th or something like that. They don’t hold as much weight, so I’m told, as junior year grades, though.
Hey @Qwerty568! I am also signed up for an overnight in February. Super excited! The questions that they asked to pair you with a host were really interesting, I like that they give so much consideration.
Were you guys invited to the over-night stay by Rice or did you guys signed up/registered?
@fairyfantasy I was invited by email.
@Qwerty568 Oh wow, congrats! Isn’t this kind of like a likely letter, then?
@fairyfantasy check your email again because I’m pretty sure everyone got the email inviting them to do an overnight visit.
@fairyfantasy Yeah, it’s definitely not indicative of my application being better than anyone elses’ . I think they send them automatically once they receive your application. I got my invite a few days after I applied, before my transcript and SAT scores had even arrived.