Should I apply to Rice ED or would I be better off applying somewhere else? CS major

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

GPA: 3.8-3.9 I don’t have the exact numbers yet

Course Rigor: Did not take the AP Test for all classes but I will have 11 by the end of senior year otherwise all Pre-AP except for required classes. Top 10 public school in the state

ACT:34 E35 M33 R34 S32

Plan on taking SAT Math Subject 2 Test

Race and Gender:Asian/Indian Male

Income: Middle to Upper Class

Residency: Missouri

ECs:

-Robotics for 4 years: will be Treasurer for Senior Year, on programming team

-Technology Student Association for 2 years: Competed in International Rocketry Challenge and Glider Challenge sponsored by Boeing at Wash U

-NHS 3 years, very little participation

-Viking Leadership Council: 50 students selected across the school to advise Activities director on ways to make the school a better place

-Boeing Explorer Post: Won 1st place out of 4 teams, teams were made up of about 200 people across the STL Bi-State Area, possible Boeing summer internship for the next summer

-Summer Camps: Invited to Leadership in Practice camp at Westminster College in MO; attended Space Exploration camp at Missouri S&T, was the Schematics lead

-3 years of Varsity Tennis, went to Districts 2 times, have 1 1st place medal 3 2nd place medals and 3 3rd place medals for Conference championships

-Volunteer Hours should be at local hospital and pet shelter 100+

-Volunteer at middle school lego robotics club and help with competition design and technical difficulties

-Mu Alpha Theta for 3 years, tutor students on math

Possible hooks: First person in family to attend US college

-Worked as a dishwasher at local restaurant over summer

2

I can’t say much with regards to chances, but you should take at least two subject tests–it’s recommended that you submit two, which means that it’s all but required unless you can’t afford the tests.

3

First gen to go to college is a good hook. Does financial aid matter at all to you? If you search posts from last year here there were a few unhappy surprises regarding final costs regarding aid, the Rice Investment, etc. I would personally not ED unless I was sure I did not want or need to compare packages and options. My D will not ED anywhere because we can’t afford to not compare packages. Good luck!

4

@IvyBoy123 You will not be considered “First gen in college” because your parents went to college in another country !.
To apply as CS major at a selective school, you should have SAT II in Math2, Phy/Chem.
Your ECs in Robotics etc. are quite good, but try to get your scores up.
I am not familiar with Rice CS, but before applying ED anywhere, make sure it is for your 1st choice school and would be thrilled to attend AND easily afford.

5

Whoops you are right @NCKris - read that way too fast and just saw first gen, not first gen in the US. My mistake.