SOAR Program 2015?

So I got a thing from Rice today saying that I was accepted into the SOAR program: thoughts, information, anything? Do we know if Rice accepts a lot of people that go to SOAR – have any of you been to the program in the past and have anything to share? Are any of y’all also going to SOAR?

I am going!!! I think they accept around 60 people

If I didn’t receive an email should I be preparing for a rejection? I don’t get why they don’t send these things out at the same time…

@ethiopienne My son received his email invite to SOAR at 2pm CST today. So don’t give up hope just yet…

Best of luck,
psy

@ethiopienne

It depends when you submitted your application, really. And considering there’s only like 60 people that’re invited to SOAR total, it’s possible that they’re reading (and accepting) applications on an individual basis.

I’ll be attending, heard back today.

@psywar @ny2020 when did you guys submit your applications?

@dallascowboys1 we submitted last Thursday night, so exactly 1 week ago.

Is SOAR a diversity program or open to all seniors?

How long did it take you guys for a response? I submitted three days ago

@whynotnow According to the SOAR page (http://futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/SOAR.asp) there is no mention that this is a diversity program, I believe Rice Vision is (http://admit.rice.edu/vision.html), at any rate my son is not a URM, perhaps he is first gen (neither my wife, nor I earned a degree, but did attend “some” college)? We also received a app fee waiver due to his performance on the SAT Subject Tests (I had sent them last year as one of our four free reports), maybe that got us in?

@dhsalazar98 We received our response 7 days after applying.

Good luck to you both,
psy

Thanks @psywar I just noticed SOAR goes through Monday. We have school on Monday…

I applied over a month ago! Still waiting, holding out hope because at least it’s not a rejection quite yet (:

Congratulations on getting in, will you be attending? @psywar @DressingIron

@whynotnow ^^

@ethiopienne

Oh definitely attending. If any of y’all see me around during the program, I’ll uh, buy y’all coffee or something.

@whynotnow

I think it’s probably intended as a diversity program but there’s a good amount of lee-way for students that aren’t ‘traditionally’ disadvantaged. Like, I got in and I’m white, non-first gen, non-athlete, and not really a world-shaker in terms of academics. E.g, no nobel prizes, no commendations from the Premier of Cameroon or whatever.

I mean, I’m poor, but they don’t even ask for your income (and my essay wasn’t really about being a poor boy) so I doubt that the poverty angle added to my application.

Look, I think the number of applicants and the number of acceptances is so low that it really can’t hurt to throw your hat in the ring; it’s very possible that someone will read your application, think it’s genius and they’ll have you booked to Houston for SOAR.

Anyway, not looking forward to the heat in Texas but am looking forward to the program.

I JUST GOT ACCEPTED!! So so incredibly excited! Totally wasn’t expecting this, looking forward to meet you guys all! @DressingIron @whynotnow @psywar

@ethiopienne

On behalf of the entire thread, congrats! Seriously, give yourself a pat on a back, eat something celebratory and prepare for the heat in Houston. Great to see another person going to SOAR.

Thank you so much! I’m coming from Wisconsin, so our two seasons are Winter and Construction so it’s gonna be interesting with all the heat. @DressingIron

Does anyone know how much indication SOAR gives us for actually admission decisions?

Also, when did you guys hear back about travel arrangements?

@ethiopienne I’m not sure how much it affects admissions, but I’d say decently, considering only 60 people are invited and Rice is picking up the tab for flights/cost of running the event.

And I heard back maybe a week ago – but I was accepted like three weeks ago. I’m sure that you’ll have someone email you pretty soon and arrange your travel.

Also, just as a question for the thread, what’d y’all write your essays about? If it’s something really personal or something that makes you easy to identify, feel free not to say.