What are my chances of being accepted to Rice as a transfer student?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

Hello everyone!
I am currently a Freshman at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Mathematics/pre-med. I have decided to apply for Rice University as a transfer student this following Fall. From the official statistics listed on Rice’s website (below 10% acceptance rate for transfer student), the application seems super competitive. Below is a list of my academic and non-academic factors. Please tell me if I have a chance or not.

College:
GPA: Although the semester just started, I am pretty confident that I will get a 4.0 GPA
Courses: I am taking 15 credits this semester and plan to take 18-19 next semester.
Courses for Fall 2017
- General Chemistry I with lab
- Calculus II
- Cognitive Neuroscience (an upper-level Psychology/Neuroscience class)
- Communication I (English I)
- Natural Science & Mathematics Seminar (UTD requires all Freshman to take this course)
Extracurricular: Members of Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-med groups), Molding Doctors and Chemistry Student Association.
SERV (Students Engaged in Rounding and Volunteering) at Texas Presbyterian Health Hospital, Dallas. SERV is a two-track shadowing and volunteering program, with both tracks running concurrently for a single academic semester.

High School:
Academics:
GPA: 3.86 (little weak)
SAT CR: 580, Math: 770, Writing:730; Essay: 10/12 - very weak for Rice. Do I need to re-take in order to have a chance?
SAT Subject Test: Chemistry - 790
AP: Took 8 AP courses - got scores of 4 or above on 4 of them

Extracurricular:
Student Ambassadors
Musical Stage Manager
National Honor Society – Treasurer - 11th
National Honor Society – Vice President – 12th
Junior Varsity Tennis – 9th
Junior Varsity Basketball – 9th, 10th, 11th
Junior Varsity Basketball Captain – 11th
Varsity Basketball – 12th

Community Service:
Public Library – 40 Hours
Senior Home – 20 Hours
2015 Special Olympics, University of Arlington – 8 Hours
North Hill Hospital Youth Program – 40 Hours
Local Presidential Election Office – 40 Hours

Awards
President’s Award for Educational Excellence – 9th , 10th, 11th
Subject Award – Best Student in Science - 10th
Silver in National Latin Exam – 10th
Principal’s Award – 11th
Subject Award - Best Student in Math – 9th
President’s and Principal’s Honor Roll all 4 quarters – 9th, 10th, 11th

2

As you mentioned, Rice’s transfer acceptance rate is quite, quite competitive, and unfortunately, as a first year student, admissions focuses more on your high school stats because they really only have one semester to go off when you’re applying as a freshman. You can only do so much now that you’re out of high school. So I would definitely say to try and get a higher score on a standardized test. If you don’t get in the first time, try again the next year when they emphasize more on what you did in college.

3

Why are you thinking of transferring only a week into your freshman semester? And what makes you “pretty confident” that you’ll get a 4.0? That’s rather presumptuous. Did you apply to Rice in HS and get rejected?

4

I didn’t mean to sound presumptuous or anything. I guess I should have phrased it better: I just wanted to see what my chances would be should I get a 4.0 GPA this year. :slight_smile: