What are my chances? Or what should be recommended?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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

I had a little trouble understanding your last paragraph. I don’t think you should try to take both the ACT and SAT. You’ll be better off choosing the one you’re most comfortable with and dedicating twice as much time to that. That being said, I haven’t transferred, so I don’t know the process or the role that standardized tests play in it.

To clear up a couple things:

It also seems like in your post you didn’t discuss much that you’ve done in college besides your GPA and that you’re covering your prereqs. You’ve already been in college for 2 years, so your high school stats may not be as important. What did you mean by “should I take it slow”? I had trouble understanding that sentence – could you rephrase it?

What prereqs are you referring to, and why 60 hours? Are you certain that your classes will transfer? It’s possible you’ll still have to complete 3 years at Rice if you’re admitted, as they can be stingy when it comes to giving transfer credits for specific courses (but you can’t blame them for not trusting other universities to teach the same material).

3

Oh sorry about the micommunication. I meant to say that just for a future planning. I’m in my second year and i’ve been thinking about transfering once I’ve completed my 60 hours. You make a good point about how other colleges would not accept credits from other colleges. Though, I thoughout that in order to transfer into another college you must have 60 credits.

As in taking in slow; I meant should I take less classes to complete my 60 credits in order to transfer? Which would take me three years at UH instead of two years I’m currently taking 18 credits this fall.

4

I don’t know where you heard about 60 hours. Most transfers I know entered Rice at the beginning of sophomore year, though it would probably be fine to enter as a junior. I would encourage you to apply to transfer early because otherwise you could be wasting time on classes that wouldn’t help you. However, I’m definitely not an expert on the matter.

At the very least, I think you should call or email the Rice admissions office very soon and talk to them about what’s required to transfer and when the best time is. You could be making some costly mistakes by proceeding on false information.