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Hey

I xposted this on "what are my chances" and no one there thought I had any chance at rice. I guess I'm just posting to ask you guys exactly what I should improve on? I know that my GPA/class rank/SAT/ACT scores will probably need improving by A LOT. but is there anything short-term I can do to improve my chances at Rice?
thank you!!!


STATS (are pretty low)

GPA: 3.69 unweighted out of 4.0
Class Rank: top 25th (cringe)
ACT: 30 (will be retaking)
SAT I: ?? taking in June
SAT II: Writing 720
I've taken three others but they were all in the low 600s so I've gotta find something else I'm good at
AP classes: 9 by the end of 1st semester Senior year
Nationality: Korean

EXTRA CURRICULARS
Debate (Varsity, captain) 01-04
Forensics (Varsity) 02-04
Mock Trial (Varsity) 01-03
Math team (JV) 02-03
Dane County Youth Board (Secretary in 03, President in 04, Web editor 03-04)
Columinst, writer & Layout editor of an independent student newspaper 01-04
Spartan Debate Institute at MSU 4 weeks, summer 03
Harvard SSP, summer 04 (obviously this hasn't happened yet)

AWARDS
Natl. Honor Society 04
National History Day, 3rd place State 01
Debate JV 1st Place State 02
Debate Varsity Quarterfinalist State 03
Wakeforest Natl. Debate Tournament Quarterfinalist 03
Extemporaneous Speaking 4th Place State 04
Mock Trial 2nd Place Regionals 01
Student Congress 1st Place State 03
Student Congress Natl. Qualifier 03
Passage of Curfew Public Policy in County 04
Spanish Honor Society 02-04
Ted Turner Debate Natl. Qualifier 2nd Place 03
Student Senate Service Award 04

VOLUNTEERING
100+ random volunteering.. I don't know
Martin Luther King Jr., Day 03-04
Spartan Youth Service 01-04
Youth Leadership Conference 03-04
Board of Prevention Grant Committee 04
Oakwood Retirement Homes 02-03
Elvehjem Museum volunteer 03-04
Blood Drive volunteer 04


that's about all I can think of. Speech & debate is a passion, so I'll probably do something with that on an essay or something. nothing really stands out though.
Also, I've lived in Swaziland for 4 years (while the whole anti-apartheid movement was happening) and the Philippines for 2 years, so I'll probably talk about my experiences with that, too. that's not that special though either.
basically, if I don't find a hook soon and if I don't get a perfect on my SAT's I'm screwed. my GPA & class rank and all that jazz SUCK.

By Munch (Munch) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:43 am: Edit

Don't take the thoughts of others and believe them. No one can predict the crazy world of college admissions and you look like you have as good of a chance as anyone. Regardless of your test scores it looks like you are well accomplished beyond the classroom and that, in my mind, counts for much more than any test. However, we do live in a society that looks at test scores as a means of comparison so -- study hard for them and do as best as you can. That's all you can do -- right ? ;) Good luck!

By Farmgirl (Farmgirl) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 01:49 pm: Edit

don't be so negative about yourself. I'm also a speech person and it was my "passion" too. I think you have a good chance even w/your "low" stats. just chill out and relax on those tests-you will perform better if you do this. just be sure to write good, convincing essays and use your speech skills at an interview and you're in (maybe w/ a scholarship). Good luck to you.

By Scetoaux (Scetoaux) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 02:39 pm: Edit

I don't think Rice is going to disqualify you simply for being in the top 25th of your class. Which isn't bad at all if its a difficult school.

I think Rice emphasizes the subjective things a lot more than other places. So if you do well on the essays, the "box", etc. You will have a good shot.

Some people on some pages of this site are more interested in telling people they don't have a chance than they are in helping people. So don't worry.

By Ulaia (Ulaia) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:28 pm: Edit

I think you should try to emphasize on your essays your strong aspects, even if you may not think of them as that great at first. Basically, what I learned through this whole admissions process (I was accpeted by Rice) was that you can pretty much make something out of anything. I visited Brazil in summer of 03 and elaborated on a situation involving visiting a school for the poor. Nothing special right? Well they liked it enough. As long as you make it sound like your INVOVLED in it and they can feel that you have passion about it then it's good enough. As for your SATs, well mine weren't too great either (mid 1400s).

By Sami948 (Sami948) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 12:59 pm: Edit

I'm a junior seriously considering Rice. How much weight does Rice put on EC? The only EC I have is 4 years of Lacrosse. I also work 30 hours a week.
I'm curious about my chances. I'm 84/763. 4.3 weighted GPA
(700V - 700M)SAT I
(710 math II, 710 writing, 660 US History) SAT II
33 ACT

Any input is welcome

By Scetoaux (Scetoaux) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 03:56 pm: Edit

Hey Ulaia,

I think you probably just hit the nail on the head: I've had an epiphany: maybe what Rice is looking for is people who are passionate about something.

I get this Christian audio journal called Mars Hill that in its most recent issue discussed the problem of college students at princeton and UVA being successful and bright, but generally impassionate and passive because of postmodern despair and too many years of tv.

Maybe Rice is looking for bright, passionate students. Just an idea, what do you think?

By Abz1986 (Abz1986) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 07:08 pm: Edit

"maybe what Rice is looking for is people who are passionate about something."

I don't have a passion for anything... lol that defeats that epiphany

By Scetoaux (Scetoaux) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 10:47 pm: Edit

lol, ok.

By Ulaia (Ulaia) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 11:16 pm: Edit

that's fine really. rice is more laid back about certain things with admissions than many other schools. my impression, including my visit there in april, told me that they like the whole idea of being laid back and not being bookworms. it's cool to be smart and all, but social life is still way up there. applying early does help your chances, but if you can't commit, do interim. if you're going to do regular (like me), throw in a nice essay with a catchy title and don't bs your box. i met an old guy who was on an admissions committee for georgetown (gives me feeling that it's very similar to rice in terms of admissions)for 10 years once. he said that if the title and 1st paragraph of your essay don't get their attention, then they're not likely going to go farther. and, they try to find through each application what the person can contribute to the school. in terms of the ivies, prestige is a huge factor (like you kind of have to have something famous in your application). but in rice, i think they look more for attitude, passion, and just plain diversity. my interviewer agreed with that.

By Texan (Texan) on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 01:17 am: Edit

i had similar stats as you, but i didnt get in

dont lose hope though i know some people who got in, and just dont know how, you never know your luck!