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I have my Rice Part I application all set, except that I can't decide whether to apply ED or ID. Could y'all offer me some guidance?

Brief stats:
-GPA 4.0 UW, 4.75 W, ranked 1/111
-SAT 1460 (790 V, 670 M)
-ACT 33
-To take SAT IIs (Writing, Math IIc, and probably Biology E) in October
-IB Diploma Candidate
-No sports, but fairly good ECs, including co-editor-and-chief of paper, captain of math team, member of NHS, SNHS, Quill and Scroll. Have also been in Language Mentors, Media Club (secretary), and two choirs at some point.
-Planning to major in chemistry, maybe double major or minor in English as well
-Italian-American
-250+ hours of volunteering in the past year
-Have won a lot of school awards and recognition for my volunteer services

Alright, herein lies my problem. Rice and Davidson are currently the only two schools I really want to go to, though I'll be applying to a lot more. I really want to get into one or both, but Rice is my top choice.

In a way, I want to apply ED to Rice so they know I'm serious about wanting to go there. There's no other schools I'm considering applying ED to. But then if I get in, I'm afraid I'll get offered no or an insubstantial package and no merit scholarships (I stand to be a NM Semifinalist), and I'll be stuck going there and ripping a major hole out of my parents' wallet. I'm an only child but still my family's not rich, and I'm really concerned about how they'd pay for a Rice education without selling major investments.

And then in the other way, I want to apply ID. I know I stand a lesser chance of getting in that way, but if I do get in, I have a lot more flexibility to choose if perhaps I get into Davidson or another school and they give me a much better package.

So for those of you who've been there, can you advise me on my chances of getting in on both plans? And what would you advise that I do? Rice is my top choice, and I don't want to risk ruining my chances of getting in by choosing the later decision plan.

By Emilia (Emilia) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 08:47 am: Edit

Anyone? I would really appreciate any input that can be provided.

By Tabby (Tabby) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 11:15 am: Edit

Hi, I'm the mom of a S in a similar situation. He is not doing any binding EDs b/c he wants to see what kinds of scholarships might come about. Actually, I think you've answered your own question:

But then if I get in, I'm afraid I'll get offered no or an insubstantial package and no merit scholarships (I stand to be a NM Semifinalist), and I'll be stuck going there and ripping a major hole out of my parents' wallet. I'm an only child but still my family's not rich, and I'm really concerned about how they'd pay for a Rice education without selling major investments.

And then in the other way, I want to apply ID. I know I stand a lesser chance of getting in that way, but if I do get in, I have a lot more flexibility to choose if perhaps I get into Davidson or another school and they give me a much better package.

Good luck!

By Emilia (Emilia) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 04:24 pm: Edit

Thanks, Tabby. Good luck to your son!

You're right, it seems that I am trying to answer my own question. I guess what I really want to know is do I stand a good chance of getting in ID instead of ED? This is the only school I picture myself at.

By Dreadpirate (Dreadpirate) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 10:33 pm: Edit

Emilia: When considering whether to apply ED or to apply in the tougher ID pool, remember that tuition at Rice is substantially lower than at any comparable private university. If Davidson offers you 10k more in aid, the net cost of the two schools will be approximately the same.

By Tabby (Tabby) on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 12:11 am: Edit

Hi Emilia, Dreadpirate makes a good point. Check into the scholarships at Davidson and the others you are considering, then see how they would compare with the Rice fees/tuition. Good luck to you - my S is going to apply at Rice ID just to see what happens, but he's looking at other schools that he's got a better shot at.

By Sdrew (Sdrew) on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit

Hi Emilia,

I would apply ID if you need to compare offers. My s applied ID for that reason. National Merit scholarships at Rice are pretty small. You can show them that you are really interested by visiting, doing an overnight with an on-campus interview. ID has a higher acceptance average over RD. You have pretty strong stats. I would recommend retaking the SAT I if possible, although you have a very good score. Good luck to you!

By Wobudong (Wobudong) on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 06:35 pm: Edit

ID has a higher acceptance rate than RD only because the qualifications of those in the Rice ID pool are outrageous. The ID program was implemented in large part to introduce Rice to the HYP, Stanford, Duke crowd; and it has been very successful. Most of the applicants with 1550 and up SAT's are in the ID pool.

By Anxiousmom (Anxiousmom) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 07:32 pm: Edit

My dd applied ID and got a nice financial aid package. I would recommend applying ID.

By Sdrew (Sdrew) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 11:46 am: Edit

Anxiousmom,

How is your d doing? What college is she in?
My s is in Martel.

By Jwtullis (Jwtullis) on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 08:32 pm: Edit

I actually applied ID with a 1460 as well, and I got in with a NM and Trustrees Distinguished Scholarship. The fact that you'll likely be a NM finalist will definitely help you, as Rice seems to collect them. Don't worry too much about the strength of the applicant pool. Just apply under the one that fits your interest in Rice and your financial situation. Write a good essay (which Rice really seems to take a lot of stock in) and you probably won't have any trouble.

Good luck.

By Simba (Simba) on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 11:31 am: Edit

jwtullis: What are you majoring and which state are you from?

By Jenskate1 (Jenskate1) on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 03:33 pm: Edit

You can get big merit scholarships even if you apply ED. I did.

By Jwtullis (Jwtullis) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 09:02 pm: Edit

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, but I'm from Alabama (which undoubtedly helped) and will most likely be majoring in English.