Transferring into Rice

Transfer Students
1

Hi smarty Peeps!

I’m currently enrolled in UH (University of Houston) as a full time student. My dream school is Rice University since I was five. I transferred from UF to UH a year ago so that I may adjust with the environment and explore around Houston. I was thinking about transferring into Rice for my junior year and senior year. I want to major in either biomedical engineering or mechanical engineering. As I’ve heard that it’s quite difficult to be accepted to Rice for freshman year, so I decided to take my prerequisites in UF and UH(transferred). I plan to have a GPA higher than a 3.5 once I finish my 60 credits (prerequisites).

During high school, I wasn’t able to give it my best because of depression and anxiety attacks as an effect of being bullied throughout my entire secondary school years. I took dual credit class during my junior and senior year which gave me 18 credits. I managed to have a 3.3 GPA which is low I know :frowning: . In my SAT, I know I scored low because a 1740 is low as well as my ACT score was a 26. I plan to retake both the SAT and ACT this upcoming spring. Aiming for the 2000’s In the SAT or a 32 in the ACT.

Resume:
High school
GPA: 3.3
Freshman and Sophomore year: Basic classes (Biology, physical science, Geometry, Trigonometry, English, English lit, US history, government and languages)
SAT: 1740
ACT with writing: 26
Junior and senior: Calculus, Calc AB, Physics, Chemistry, leadership, DC: Business communication, DC: Business market, DC: Business management DC: college success, DC: Psychology, DC: American lit, and DC: Government.

-Editor of yearbook club
-Student government
-Forensics Club
-Band
Not really a social person to join clubs during high school.

Community service
-40…ish hours- Library (sorting out books)
-34 hours- Tutoring kids. There’s a school in my hometown where there are kids that have learning disabilities and where they’re taught how to read and write.
-48 hours’ food bank.
-70-80 hours in soup kitchen.

I feel like I need to retake both college entrance exam, or should I just pick one and work on that examination?
With GPA, I feel like most transfer applicants have a least a 3.8 or higher.
Another question, should I just take it slow? Like three years working on a 60 college credits to make that perfect 4.0? or should I just stick with the traditional two years 60 credits?

What do you recommend? As based in GPA, SAT, ACT.

Thanks,

2

Rice is predominately, hallaciously focused on GPA and test scores. It will be impossible to transfer with anything less than a 3.8 and a 2000. Check on Niche.com and their average acceptance GPAs. Unless you have a really great hook or huge donor status, it’ll be tough.

3

would they still considered me if I had a 4.0 in 60 credit hours and a SAT of 2200+, even though my high school GPA is low? As in good hook, what do you mean? Like excellent recommendations?

4

I’m no admissions counselor, but you would be a good candidate with those scores, however you do need something else… great essay or great EC’s is what it’d take.

Hook means… a good story. something like, you struggled with major depression and you finally grew enough in community college to achieve that 4.0… things like that.

Excellent rec letters are another important part of the app. they should highlight your participation in class, and general intellect and what you bring to the student body academically

5

@MGatsby20

Hey! We have some very similar stats.

My high school:
Top public high school, but low GPA
3.3 GPA
1730 SAT

College
3.5 GPA at UTD, I got into A&M as a transfer applicant and am waiting on UT. Rice might be a reach, but I encourage you to try for it. I think you can get into some excellent schools if you maintain a good college GPA. Your high school grades become less and less relevant over time. Good luck!

6

Thank you okon for your wonderful advice! You’ve been very helpful!

7

Thank you temoc!