So apparently I was invited to Rice VISION all-expenses paid campus visit as a member of the class of 2021 less than a month after applying. Does this mean that I will be admitted? I did not expect to get in because I was rejected from Rice SOAR. I am a URM (African-American), first gen, and low income student with high SAT scores (above 1500/1600), but only top 15% class rank at a competitive charter school in the Southeast.
Did anyone else get an invite to VISION this year?
allnighter21 – My daughter was invited to and attended Rice VISION a couple of years ago. While it is not a guarantee of admission, it is pretty close – she was ultimately admitted to the school. She did not apply to SOAR, so I can’t comment from that perspective. She ultimately decided to attend another school, but she agonized about her decision. She and I visited the school after she was admitted. I think very highly of the school. My son applied this year. We are hoping he is also invited to VISION, but haven’t heard anything yet. Like you, he was not admitted to SOAR. Good luck to you and congratulations on your success thus far.
My D has also been invited. She’s already accepted and we’ve booked her ticket. She’s very excited as this is 1 of 2 schools that she applied that we didn’t visit. She also applied to SOAR and didn’t get it but they did say there would be future opportunities so we sort of expected something like this. She’s a high stats URM as well.
Does anyone know about how many people are invited to VISION ? I was invited and am planning on going. Rice says their covering up to 200 dollars of travel expenses so I can’t imagine the group is too big, but then again Rice does have a lot of money.
Usually these things have about 50 people. They cover a higher amount if you live further away apparently.
@ehsstudent17 They cover up to $400 in travel costs. I read from the Rice FAQs that they invite around 200, which seems a bit on the high side.
I applied to Rice regular decision was invited to the Vision Program. The FAQ stated that this was not a guarantee of acceptance, however, could I expect an acceptance letter? I mean, why would they pay for my plane ride and food for three days just to send me a rejection letter? Would they do that? I guess it’s just hard to believe that I would actually get accepted considering my essays are not the best (I’m working on my writing abilities).
Is there any one who was invited to the program and was accepted/rejected? If so please share your experience!
I read somewhere that Vision is mostly for URMs?
How did you receive notification? Did it come in the mail? E-mail?
@Marilou I first saw it on my application portal, then I received an email, and I received an envelope yesterday in the mail.
I applied RD and was invited just 2 weeks later. It does say it is for URM who are academically gifted. I’m hoping it means a better chance of getting acceptance or maybe even scholarships, but I’m by no means assuming I will receive either. But…here are my stats in case anyone was wondering::
Male from Colorado (Dominican descent)
35 ACT
1570 SAT
13 APs
800s on Chem, Physics, Math II
class rank 1/365
Weighted GPA: 4.83 (UW: 3.98)
Applied to chemical engineering
I was invited about a week ago, and I applied RD too. My stats aren’t as good as thecheesemaniac’s tho (that username is awesome). I just bought my plane ticket and turned in all the forms today. 
How long was it between applying and getting an invitation?
I applied December 12 and got the invite January 6.
My D applied 12/24 and received invite on 1/10
I applied 11/15 and was invited on 1/6
I applied January 1st and received the invite today in the mail (1/17). I’m wondering if I should go. If I do go and I end up getting rejected, it would just be a waste of time. If anyone else has anymore comments about whether this means I have a good chance of getting admitted, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Also my stats are as follows:
3.97 UW, 4.6 W
2340 SAT
Black female from Southern California
790 on Math 2 and Bio E
IB Diploma Programme
Intended major: Mathematics
I’m a freshman now. when I was invited last year it was heavily suggested that this was an indicator that we’ve been accepted. There was definitely more than 50 of us there, closer to 200. And yes its a program for URM. If you don’t get invited it doesn’t mean you won’t be accepted.
Did any of those who were accepted into the VISION program apply using Questbridge?
@dsi411 Your stats are much higher than mine, and I got invited as well. I doubt you would be rejected from Rice.