Should I apply to the School of Engineering or School of Social Sciences?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Hello! </p>

<p>I hope to major or double-major in computer science, economics, or mathematics, and I'm trying to decide which college to apply to at Rice. How important is the choice of school in admissions and scholarship consideration? My stats are: 2370 SAT (800 CR/770 M/800 W), 5s on 9 AP exams (including Calc BC, English Lang, English Lit, Micro, Macro), and SAT Math II 800, SAT Latin 800, SAT US History 800, SAT Chem 790. I'm a homeschooled girl from Michigan. My extracurriculars are diverse, but my main EC was in economics. Will it hurt my merit aid chances if I apply to engineering and don't look as strong as the other engineering applicants (instead of applying to social sciences as a strong student)? </p>

<p>Thanks, and sorry for this long-winded question! </p>

2

<p>Apply to the School of Engineering because it has two of the three majors you are considering, and because it has a scholarship up to full tuition, and none of the other programs do. Also engineering schools are usually short on female students and need more, whereas social sciences typically have an imbalance of too many female students, so you would be considered a more special and cherished applicant to the engineering school. I would recommend getting your degree in Computational and Applied Math in the School of Engineering, as it will have overlap with the other subjects you like, and people with those skills are greatly needed. You can minor in Economics. For the scholarship info, see: <a href=“http://financialaid.rice.edu/scholarships.aspx”>http://financialaid.rice.edu/scholarships.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Rice admits students into Rice, not into the Rice department of Engineering or the Rice department of Sciences. As a result, it really doesn’t matter that much. Declare whatever you are more interested in and go from there. </p>

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<p>Thank you for the comments, mommyrocks and Antarius! I’ve decided to apply to Engineering. </p>

5

<p>The question also reminds you that the college enrollment is not binding.
Your majors match with the college of engineering and your gender gives you an edge.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>