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I was reading up on the forums about the engineering program and it seems pretty decent. Do they have an electrical and computer engineering program or are they separate? Here are my stats.

http://prstats.com/2009/display.php?user=opspeed

By Bmy (Bmy) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 11:18 am: Edit

Opspeed: My son considered many of the same schools on your list, as well as Cornell and MIT. Rice was the "sleeper" on the list. After visiting everywhere, however, Rice emerged as a clear and unexpected favorite. Consequently, he decided to apply to Rice early decision because it felt right and because of the following factors. Rice has a good ECE program within the school of engineering (his area of interest, too). The program is very good, sending graduates to top grad schools and placing them in good jobs. Most classes are VERY small, resulting in close relationships -- academic, research, and personal -- with the faculty. An admission representative from Rice told us that they don't provide all the required stats to US News, resulting in slightly depressed rankings. In recent years, Rice has often had the top undergraduate comp sci student in the country. The engineering school also offers an interesting internship opportunity -- one summer with a company in the US and the next summer with the same company at one of its international sites. Finally, the residential college system was a draw, because it divides an already small university into even smaller colleges (300 or so students). This system seems to generate a strong sense of community within a university where students are reported to be very bright, inclusive, and friendly. When he visited, he felt intellectually challenged, but he also had a lot of fun and felt very welcomed.
If you can, visit as many schools as possible. Make appointments with the ECE faculty members and interview them about areas of interest to you. Check out the student/social climate to get a sense if the school's community is a good fit for you. You can get a great education and will be well-prepared for grad school or work at any of the schools on your list. Find the one that feels like the best fit for you. Good luck!

By Opspeed (Opspeed) on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 12:27 am: Edit

I see... What are the average SATs of engineering majors at Rice? Are they pretty good on financial aid? The more I read about Rice, the more I'm attracted to it.

By Bmy (Bmy) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 12:18 pm: Edit

To find out current average SATs of engineering majors, I suggest emailing or phoning the admissions office. Cached stats from 1999 for engineering suggested that at that time, most applicants had SAT I math scores well above 700 and verbal scores above 660 and ranked in the top 5% of their graduating class (if not #1 or #2). Most schools' average scores have increased somewhat over the past five years, however, due to an increasing number of applicants.

That said, however, Rice told us that they look at far more than scores. Being a smaller university, they perhaps do have the time and resources to review each application closely. Again, find out what Rice is and, if you are interested, let them really see who you are. I think they want to build an interesting community more than competing for the highest national SAT scores...although they do have an impressive number of merit scholars for such a small school.
I would also ask admissions about financial aid. They offer both need-based aid and academic merit scholarships in many areas. Like many schools, I suspect they use merit scholarships to compete with other top schools for applicants who apply in the interim or regular decision pools. One fact to consider, however, is that Rice uses its substantial endowment to keep tuition and overall student costs down (and facilities well-maintained!); this has always been an institutional priority. While other comparable private schools cost roughly $40K per year, Rice costs roughly $30K. That's a considerable savings over 4 years.
I really encourage you to start a conversation with the admissions representative for your area. Ours was always accessible and willing to answer questions that arose during my son's application process. Again, good luck with all of your applications!

By Pat57575 (Pat57575) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 04:51 pm: Edit

Your SAT is fine for engineering. If anything, get your physics sat 2 above 700.

By Opspeed (Opspeed) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 01:55 am: Edit

Yea... I didn't prepare at all for it, but I'm going to take it again in October (bought a review book since we didn't go over a lot of topics on the SATII in our physics class). I'm aiming for a 750+.

By Opspeed (Opspeed) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 08:37 pm: Edit

I read that Rice's student population is about 50% Texan. Since I'm from the Chicago-area, does that give me an advantage or no? I am also considering Interim... maybe ED depending on how I like Rice when I visit. Does Interim and ED give a better advantage at Rice?

By Dreadpirate (Dreadpirate) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 10:13 pm: Edit

ED might be an advantage. Due to the fact that the ID is non-binding and Rice is the only school in its peer group that does not attempt to limit applicants to one early acceptance program, the ID applicant pool has become incredibly strong.

By Opspeed (Opspeed) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 04:16 am: Edit

OK..... well my mom is really urging me to take the SAT again... almost forcing me. BUT i have already taken the SAT 3 times already (1320 first time, 1450 second, 1410 the last time). I MIGHT be able to boost my verbal score by maybe 40 points to break the 1500 mark but i'm not sure. Should i take the SAT for the fourth time or would that look bad? My mom is pretty psycho about me taking it again so I'm above the average SAT scores. Hit me back on what you guys think.

By Bmy (Bmy) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 12:23 pm: Edit

Your SAT I is good enough, and four times may look bad. I agree with an earlier poster: work on raising your Physics SAT 2 score.

By Pat57575 (Pat57575) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 05:50 pm: Edit

A close friend of mine and I both got into Rice engineering with 640 verbal scores. Though most engineers of today don't really live up to the reputation of incompetency in writing that our forefathers graciously bestowed upon us, I am pretty confident admissions is going to consider your 700 verbal solid. And a 760 math score is certainly nothing to fret about.

Put the SAT behind you and concentrate on more important things-- your admissions essay, that SAT 2, and enjoying your senior year!

By Jwtullis (Jwtullis) on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 08:58 pm: Edit

For what it's worth, I took the ACT 5 times before getting, ultimately, a 34, and I was not only accepted by Rice but awarded a merit scholarship.