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Ill make it short:
Texan, asian female

Stats:
Top 10% compeititive public school
about 4.2 weighted
SAT: 800 V 740 M
SAT IIs: 790 Math IIC, 770 Writing, 760 US History, 690 Chemistry

Activities: (probably a weak area)
volunteer >100 hours for same org
In school med program (clinical rotation)
PALs- peer assistance leadership
NHS, HOSA

No significant awards/achievements

Applying ED

Thanks!

By Jwtullis (Jwtullis) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 11:17 am: Edit

Your stats are all in-line with typical Rice acceptees. As long as you can show on your application that you have committed a significant amount of time to those few EC activities, you'll be alright. Rice really likes to see passion for what you do, and for that reason, I think, would be willing to overlook the quantity of your activities if you can show sustained involvement in them.

Make sure your essays are good and really expressive of your personality as well, as they seem to factor largely at Rice. Good luck.

By Ulaia (Ulaia) on Friday, July 02, 2004 - 09:45 am: Edit

Just add a good box and interview to that. Rice only needs 1 teacher rec, so make sure you get it from a teacher who not just gave you a "wonderful" grade in his/her class but also knows you somewhat personally. Also, senior year is the time to get to know your counselor. Trust me on that one (I was in a 500 people senior class so I visited her office at least once a week starting in the fall; it doesn't have to be much, just that he/she remembers your face and cordial personality).

By Chaniryy (Chaniryy) on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 08:59 am: Edit

Hi people, I would really appreciate it if you could also comment on my chances for Rice. Here are my stats.


International Student
No GPAs nor Ranks in our school.
SAT: 790M 570V
SAT II: maths 2C 800,
physics 780,
writing 740
ACT: 31
Completed Calculus AB in Grade 9
Several Prize Book Award
EPGY, CTY

ECs:
Sports:
---competitive Division 1 athlete for 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m
team committee - champion
ranked top 8th in Age group competition in country
---Ranked overall 2nd in Age group competitions for cross-country in country
---Team member of swimming team - champion

Music:

---Playing 3 musical instruments, 2 of them for 13 years and 1 of them for 4 years
---Received Diploma level for 2 of them and Royal School of Music Grade 8 for another
---Section leader of Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, and other local orchestras ¡V champion (9, 10, 11, 12) in the country¡¦s most competitive competition for high school students
---Played in String Ensembles ¡V champion for two years in the country¡¦s most competitive competition for high school students
---Won many prizes in music competitions
---Performed overseas with orchestra, most major town halls and city halls

Community Service (+500 hrs/year)
---Vice president of school service group, local service group, etc.
Organized training courses for volunteers: 10, 11, 12
Organized services and served the deaf, blind, physically handicapped, mentally handicapped, Down¡¦s Syndrome children, homeless: 9, 10, 11, 12
Organized charity flower sales: 10, 11, 12
Service at hospital in summer: 9, 10
Service at elderly homes through out the year: 8, 9, 10
---Awarded Outstanding committee award twice.

Others:
---Member of the local Gifted and Highly Talented society
---Mathematics Club: 9, 10, 11 (committee as well)
Maths Olympiad: representative
Won in several other maths competitions

---Fellowship: 9, 10, 11, 12 (committee as well)
---Science Club: 9
---Chemistry olympiad: 1st
---Environment Protection Club: 9, 10, 11

Leadership:
--- school prefect
--- house captain
--- attended many leadership courses particularly for selected outstanding students

By Jwtullis (Jwtullis) on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 11:42 am: Edit

I'm sure others have mentioned this, but you're a great appicant. If you could only raise your verbal score somewhat, you'd help yourself immensely. All your ECs and athletic potential, particularly, will heighten your chances of admission. I think Rice likes to see people like you, who have done so much throughout your high school career. If your essay is fairly well-written, the admission committee should be able to overlook your verbal score. They just have to feel that you can do well enough in a U.S. university to succeed.

But, as I said, I think your chances are pretty good. I don't think it could hurt to apply Interim Decision either, which is nonbinding.

By Chaniryy (Chaniryy) on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 12:14 pm: Edit

Hey thanks Jwtullis, thanks for the Interim Decision suggestion too.

By Ulaia (Ulaia) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 12:14 pm: Edit

Or Early Decision. So many of my classmates have gotten in early. But don't worry too much. My situation was similar to yours: high math score, not so high verbal. I ended up taking the SAT I three times and managed to raise verbal up to 680. Your stats look interesting, just don't be afraid to elaborate and talk about yourself. From my college application process, it seems that you won't have to try AS hard on everything else if you can get your SAT I up over the 1400 mark. Of course, I also know people who only got wait-listed with 1500+, but then they all seemed to share 3 main things: 1) Applied RA, 2) Boring personality (too bookish), 3) or they were smart but just didn't care too much.