State Residency- a Leg Up or an Obstacle?

Hi everyone! Rice University is one of my top choices, but for financial reasons I couldn’t apply ED so I went with RD. I’m pretty anxious since the acceptance rate is so low… I live in New Hampshire, and I was wondering if that would be disadvantageous (half of Rice students are from Texas!), advantageous (diversity…?), or a moot point? I feel very silly asking this question, but apparently Rice considers “state residency” and was wondering if anybody had any input. Only one other kid from my town applied, if that’s relevant at all. Thank you in advance for your response!!

Rice is a private Uni, so there is no advantage for being instate. They just have a bunch of Texans attend bcos they are local and know what a fine school that it is.

Since Rice considers “state residency” in their admission decisions, they likely are trying to recruit a geographically diverse group of students (for those coming from outside of Texas). So I’d say that being from NH couldn’t hurt and could only help, though any advantage is likely to be very small.

See more details about geographic distribution here:
https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/rice-university/student-life/diversity/#chart-geographic-diversity

Good luck!

I don’t think it will matter too much, it’s probably weighted very little. Like if they were completely stuck on you vs someone from texas, they might admit you i guess due to NH not being as represented.

Being from a state with a relatively small population may be a slight advantage. Rice may not draw as many applicants from NH as it does from other places. After Texas, the state with the most students in the class of 2021 is California. It may be harder to get into Rice from Texas and especially from Houston as the school is very well known and many of the top students in Texas and Houston apply. Here is an article from CC that addresses the residency question, http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/1917174-rice-and-texas-in-state-representation-p1.html

My son got in from Maine and it does seem if you are a high acheiving student it may be a little easier. Though I have also seen kids not get in also. So they are still trying to fill a class. I honestly don’t think a lot apply from Maine and New Hamphire Vermont because travel can be difficult. Also there was one from Maine that got in last year he decided to go to a closer top school. So I am sure they take a few just in case.

@Houston1021 @fun1234 Do you think that I am disadvantaged because I can’t show interest by visiting in Houston? Or will they understand that I just really can’t get there?

If you live far away, I doubt Rice will hold it against you for not visiting. Hopefully you will be admitted and be able to come for one of the admitted student days. If you lived in Houston and couldn’t find time to make it to Rice for a visit that would be another matter. Hang in there, decisions should be out in less than 2 weeks…

@anxiouswreck My son did visit, but I do know there were other ways to show interest. Maybe you did that. I remember Rice came and visited my son’s hometown along with some other schools. My son also followed them on social media not sure if it helped. Though I can see cost being an issue traveling out so I am sure that would not be held against you. Though if you live close enough to visit by car then I would say they would like to see that. Good luck to you today if results come out which it seems they may.

Since Airfare is expensive, I also did not visit, but the interest I showed was through emailing my regional counselor and asking a bunch of questions, and I also asked for an interview and although I wasn’t given one, they contacted me and said they knew I tried and it wouldn’t hinder me by not doing an interview.