Hi guys! I wasn’t the “best” high school, more like very very average with around 3.5 uw & 3.8 w gpa, but with decent load of extracirriculars. I got into some schools, but realized that they weren’t what I actually wanted, so I chose community college, and now I’m in love love love with Rice! I would love to transfer, and I am taking a decent load of credits (16 semester units!) and an internship along with a hopeful hospital volunteer at Stanford (interview coming up soon!) Unfortunately, RICE doesn’t accept Chem or English from community college (ha ha ha both classes im taking), so will that effect my chances, I mean I don’t mind retaking them at RICE? But most of all, do you guys think that my choice to go community college will effect my chances, actually do I even have a chance LOL Any tips of what else I can do to strengthen my application? I was considering retaking my ACT (current score 28, superscored 29), would it be worth it? (pretty sure i can surpass 30, high school was a very rough patch) I know this is long but I would truly appreciate any help
I don’t think taking classes in chem or English at your current college will affect your chances, so long as you do well in them. What grade are you in right now? If you are a freshman, Rice puts a little more emphasis on what you did in high school, but if you are trying to transfer as an upperclassman, Rice puts more emphasis on what you did in college. This may help you determine whether you should retake the ACT or focus more on what you’re currently doing as an undergrad. Also, Rice likes to see its applicants do a lot of different things, especially things unrelated to their intended major. They really like multi-dimensional students who explore outside of their comfort zone. If you can show that in your application, you’d probably be a step up. Then the usual: high GPA, dedication in extra-curriculars, good letters of recs, solid essays. Best of luck!
thank you so so much for the response! I was wondering if you were also a transfer or attend the school? I’m trying to try new things like the internship and Stanford volunteering, I hope its enough! I also did a lot of political related debating, and business related reports in high school, with senior class council, and link leader, basically things from a variety of different fields, is this what your are implying? I truly appreciate this advice!
I transferred and matriculated last year.
From what it looks like, you certainly have a lot of activities in different fields. I’d recommend trying to connect these activities with what you intend to study in your essay. That way, admissions may be able to get in your head a little bit and find out why exactly you’re interested in such things. They love quirky people.
Thank you so much! I really hope it works out. I hope you’re enjoying your time at Rice and hopefully see you around next year! One last question, if you don’t mind me asking, do you know of any other transfers who came from an out of state community college as sophomores? I truly appreciate all this help.
There appears to be one who transferred in from a California community college, one from New Jersey, one from Arizona. I don’t know what grade they are though. If you don’t get in after this year, it may help to apply again the next year, especially if you are able to keep up your success. It personally took me three tries so don’t get discouraged.
Thank you so much, I hope to see you around next year. 
You have honestly helped me so much, I swear if I get in I owe it to you LOL