<h1>"They're capitalizing on the whole "Harvard of the South" thing and trying to balance out the student population by getting more out of state and out of the country students. That's probably what got me and my fellow students at my school denied."</h1>
<p>I don't agree with this statement; Rice would not just reject qualified students just because they are from Texas.. Maybe they wanted to "balance" the cultural diversity, not geographical.</p>
<p>Personally, I would think that, if anything, someone majoring in the humanities would have an easier time getting into Rice since Rice U is known more for its hard science and engineering programs. I really doubt the choice of major has a huge impact on an applicant's decision though. In-state / out-of-state probably has a larger effect since it's been known for years now that Rice has been slowly decreasing the percentage of Texans in its student body. I mean, Rice was originally chartered to educate Texas students only. It has expanded to accept students from all states for many years now, but it still remains a local school. I think it's trying to get rid of that image by distributing its eventual alumni base across the country and even the world.</p>
<p>Exactly, RememberMe. </p>
<p>I thought that since I was majoring in humanities it would give me a boost but according to the people I talked to, in state residency was a huuuuge strike against me. Oh well!</p>
<p>I didn't have the best grades, and I got into Rice, and I'm from Houston...
??</p>
<p>maybe i should move out of texas.
that would give me a better chance :D
[sarcasm] lol.</p>
<p>Someone said earlier that it sounds like someone backed out of an early decision agreement from my school and that may have affected us later applicants. Is that true?</p>
<p>How would that affect later applicants? Just because they went to the same school? Rice isn't stupid-- they will reject applicants because they are not qualified, not because other people from the same school applied ED and backed out of it.</p>
<p>I really don't think that affects anythiing, literaturegirl. Admissions offices don't seem like petty places.</p>
<p>I have no idea, that's just what someone wrote, unless I'm misunderstanding them. It's just a crapshoot.</p>
<p>Haha. Truuue.</p>
<p>literaturegirl, are you going to Baylor next year? I'm at Baylor right now, PM me if you have any questions! :)</p>
<p>Whoa. This thread has changed from "top 3 things Rice looks for in an individual" to a debate as to why literaturegirl and her classmates didn't get into Rice. Why don't we just forget about it? What's done is done, and why it was done doesn't matter anymore.</p>
<p>For prospective Rice students and those who have no idea why they got accepted to/rejected by Rice, here's the link to Rice's Philosophy and Evaluation:
Rice</a> University | Prospective Students</p>
<p>Remember, there are more qualified applicants than spots available each application season. Being rejected does not mean you are worthless as a scholar or as a person. </p>
<p>Hope this helps prospective Rice students and consoles those who did not get into Rice.</p>
<p>OP, I read your replies on this thread and became a little concerned. You sound really stressed out. Relax a bit.</p>
<p>This kills me:
"oh dont worry, i'm already nuts. and i havent started on the application yet. haha. only a junior. starting this summer. do you think volunteering at a hospital all during summer makes you look "dedicated"? i plan on majoring in biology, to become a doc. because i plan on volunteering at a hospital around 4 hours daily"</p>
<p>I don't want to be persecuted(figuratively) for saying this, but selling your life away to volunteer in hopes of impressing adcoms is ridiculously lame and seems pretty insecure.</p>
<p>Read freespirit22's post and enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Someone said earlier that it sounds like someone backed out of an early decision agreement from my school and that may have affected us later applicants. Is that true?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
How would that affect later applicants? Just because they went to the same school? Rice isn't stupid-- they will reject applicants because they are not qualified, not because other people from the same school applied ED and backed out of it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Actually, that might be the reason... Rice would hold a grudge against the school counselor and the high school, but not to future applicants (obviously). If someone backs out of an ED agreement, that really holds a bad impression morally and ethically against the student and in the bigger picture, against the counselor for allowing the student to do so as well as the school.</p>
<p>Of course, I'm not saying the above is actually true that Rice IS holding a grudge against your school, but given what you've said, it's entirely plausible. Again, this is all theoretical, I really don't know your school's situation and history with Rice.</p>
<p>But I've heard of such stories before. My friend's school hasn't had a student accepted to Princeton in over a decade because something similar happened.</p>
<p>Other similar situations include a college accepting many students from a high school but no high school students actually matriculate.</p>
<p>Ahhhh. I see. That could very well be the reason. That sort of comforts me, lol. Normally our school has quite a few accepted. Oh well!</p>
<p>I think rice is the school that pays the most attention on academics among all the top 20 schools....</p>
<p>Goatandcompany, thanks for the advice.
:]</p>
<p>ur right i do have alot of stress, but after 2 more weeks, things will be alot lighter (AP exams)</p>
<p>:]</p>
<p>"but after 2 more weeks, things will be alot lighter (AP exams)"</p>
<p>No joke :)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>