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In Rice's application, one of the 'questions' is

"Fill the box to the right with something that appeals to you."

The box is 2 1/2" by 3".

My son and I were wondering what they want in here. I thought that text was OK. My son thought that they are looking for a picture of some kind.

Any suggestions?

By Dave Berry on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 07:41 am: Edit

I love creative challenges like this. If I were answering this question, I would first come up with what it is that appeals to me (NOT a picure of Britney Spears, though!) and write it or paste it on a separate little piece of paper 2-1/2" by 3". I suggest that whatever your son writes or illustrates, it should be unusual and something that relates to his personal EC passions.

Then I would paste that piece of paper somewhere else on the page and draw a straight, dark line that points from the original box (left blank) to the "new" one. On the line that connects them, write something like, "'Sorry, but I'm always thinking outside the box." That should grab them. Admissions types love bold, original approaches. Good luck to your son.

By smith on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 04:02 pm: Edit

My son applied interim decision to Rice. He took a digital picture of a collage of things he likes, then played with it in the computer to get a pleasing arrangement. My guess is text would be fine, too. I have heard, however, that gluing on a single grain of rice has "been done." Good luck to your student.

By saltnpeppa on Thursday, September 12, 2002 - 09:29 pm: Edit

I also applied interim decision. I went with a vibrantly colored, abstract piece of pop-up art. Send something unique to you.

My rice interviewer told me point blank--if you put rice in the box, they put you in the reject pile.

By Gimpinc (Gimpinc) on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 04:24 pm: Edit

Damn. I was going to use the "gluing rice" idea.

Thank goodness you guys told me!

By ricerepresenta on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 10:48 pm: Edit

I'm a freshmen at Rice right now. DO NOT glue rice, as the admissions office is quite sick of it. Also, I hear that often, the rice falls off because super glue isn't strong enough.