Rice University

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

I recently applied to Rice in October. This is college my top school and I know the day I get my decision I’ll cry whether or not I get in.

With that being said, I would like to have some outside opinions on my chances based on the following information:

Early Decision Applicant
Dallas, Texas Resident
Family Income - 71k/year
Major: Biochemistry & Cell Biology with Spanish electives; want to go to medical school after undergrad

Extracurriculars/about myself:
Student Council Senior Class Officer & Activities Committee Head
Political Science Club Founder & President
Science Club Treasurer
Blue Blazers President
Environmental Science Ambassador
Key Club Member
National Spanish Honor Society Member
National Art Honor Society Member
National Honor Society Member
VASE Art Competiton IV Superior Rating
Magic Of The Moment Art Competiton 2 time 1st place winner
Student Council Medal of Honor
Academic All District Cross Country & Soccer
Played soccer for 11 years, won North Texas Soccer State & ran Cross Country for 5 years
Algebra 2 Tutor for a sophomore student
Nanny & Tutor for two girls
National AP Scholar with Distinction
Students Demand Action, Frisco TX Advocate
Youth Group Leader & Middle School mentor + Pre-K class volunteer
Mactown Miracles & Special Olympics 4 year volunteer/ambassador
Student Summer Intern with an Orthopedic Surgeon, 40 hrs/week, worked with patients in clinical settings & observed 14+ surgeries
Learned to analyze x-rays & became CPR certified

Those are off of the top of my head. I have been extremely involved/outside of my high school.

Now, test score wise is where I think I might be weaker. With that being said, I have been very disappointed with how much standard scores weigh into the decision of your application; personally, I think they don’t measure intelligence or aptitude. My parents couldn’t afford a tutor for any of my standardized tests, but I am still proud of myself with what I received.

SAT: 1410
ACT: 31
And I am taking SAT Subject Tests Nov. 3rd in

  • Math 2
  • Molecular Biology
  • Spanish with Listening

Ranked: 19/514 students & 4.47 GPA

As for academics and coursework,
I have taken 12 AP classes:

  • AP Human Geography (not yet taken exam), AP Biology (not yet taken exam), AP Psychology (5) , AP World History (5), AP United States History (5), AP Studio Art (4), AP Physics 1 (4), AP Spanish Language (not yet taken exam), AP Environmental Science (4), AP English Language (5), AP English Literature (not yet taken exam), AP Government/Macroeconomics (not yet taken exam)
    & all of my other courses/electives have been honors.

For my recommendations, I got mine from

  • my AP Government teacher who is a Rice Undergraduate and Law School alum/now works as an admission advisor
  • the doctor I interned with who received his medical degree from UT Southwestern
  • my AP Physics 1 teacher with his Ph.D. from UMichigan

I also had an interview on campus this past week and it went amazing!! I immediately clicked with my senior interviewer and we had so much in common.

With all of this being said, am I a competitive candidate for a spot in the Class of 2023?

This school is TRULY my dream school; I always thought that was something cliche or corny to say but it’s true!!

Thanks.

2

You certainly have a great resume, demonstrate talent and ability in several areas and no doubt will be a competitive applicant at Rice. As with any top school, admission to Rice is a tough ticket. Hopefully you will be accepted, but if not have other schools and applications in mind, including reaches, true target schools and true safeties. There are many great scools out there, and you will no doubt be successful wherever you attend.