APs: Precalc (5), Lang (3), Calc AB (my school doesn’t offer BC), Macro, US Gov, Bio, Psych
Awards
College Board National Recognition Program - National First-Gen Recognition Award (12th)
College Board National Recognition Program - National School Recognition Award (12th)
VASE (art show) Region 12 Regional Medalist (11th)
UIL Academic All-District 12-6A - Football (11th, anticipated 12th)
School District’s Academic Achievement Award - (9th, 10th, 11th, anticipated 12th)
Additional notes: I put in the Additional Information section that I qualified for nomination for THSCA’s Academic All-State in football and baseball (announcements come after deadlines)
Extracurriculars
City’s Youth Advisory Commission (11th, 12th)
Head Varsity Baseball Manager (10th, 11th, 12th)
Upward Bound (11th, 12th)
Football Equipment Manager (11th, 12th)
110+ volunteer hours gained in 24-25
Essays/LORs/Other
Essays: 8/10? Getting advice from family/UB coordinator, it seems that they liked my approach on the personal statement. Supplementals could also be around 8/10 here.
AP Precalc/Calc AB teacher - Strong, known for 4 years and to my memory, have been their only student to get a 5 on the AP Precalc exam for 2025
One of my coaches - Strong, known for 3 years
Counselor - Likely not as strong, they’ve only been assigned to me this year so couldn’t build that relationship
Schools
Rice, ED I
UT Austin, RD (auto admit)
Trinity U, EA
Tulane, EA
Holy Cross, RD
SMU, EA
Baylor, EA
Will be applying for financial aid, my FAFSA/CSS Profile/IDOC things are already finished and sent.
Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability): UT Austin, not the major
Extremely Likely: SMU, Baylor
Likely: Trinity U, Holy Cross
Toss-up: Tulane, UT Austin (math major)
Lower Probability: Rice (?) (Hard for T20s, and seeing people say that you may only have a higher chance ED if you are a legacy, recruited athlete, etc. However, they are my top school and I think according to their CDS for 24-25, they don’t consider alumni/ae relation. Maybe demonstrated interest could work a bit here.)
Yes, with a 92% rejection rate (8% acceptance rate), Rice is a lower probability. But you have outstanding credentials so it’s worth a shot - especially since it’s your first choice.. I’ve seen some admissions surprises there, which I attribute to their holistic review. The essay(s) is important, and it’s important that it be authentic and that it be in your voice. References are also important.
Applying early is important at Tulane, but Holy Cross has also been known to favor early applicants in recent years as well and I wouldn’t take admission there for granted. They have become highly selective in the past couple of years. I would agree with your characterization of Trinity as likely and I would, OTOH, consider Baylor and SMU to be very likely.
I think you have a chance and only Rice may say no. May because you are far above your school.
But you need aid. Did you run the NPCs of all to ensure they’ll meet your budget ? This is the most important thing. And if they do and it’s a lot, you might get caught up in a need aware process (if you need too much). So you might consider adding need blind privates depending on your budget because let’s say you need $75k, a need aware school may reject you for that reason alone.
Yes, I ran the NPC and am fine with the result. However, I think Rice is need-blind for domestic applicants with their admissions, according to their own website. So theoretically, need isn’t much of a factor here. However, under my NPC, it covered full tuition under the Rice Investment and then some. Wouldn’t financial need not matter as much if Rice was need-blind in admissions?
Also by that “may”, are you implying that I would have a noticeable shot at acceptance in the ED I round?
Yes, Rice is blind but not all the other are nor do they all meet full need.
If your need isn’t outrageous, you’ll be fine. But if it is, you never know. An article was published about meets need Lafayette. They were open to the reporter and didn’t admit many kids they normally would have. The budget is only so much. And they have to spread it.
I don’t know your level of need.
I have a good feeling for you at Rice but everyone needs an assured AND affordable safety. Rice is not that. I know you have admission safeties!!
Do you have that ? Is UT affordable - room and board etc?
As the parent of a student who ED’d at Rice 2 years ago and is a current Owl, I just want to wish you GOOD LUCK! They DO care about demonstrated interest if you are able to go to any admissions presentations near you or visit the school. I’d suggest making sure your “Why Rice” essay is specific and shows research into the school. You are an excellent candidate, and you will succeed wherever you end up!
That makes logical sense. But I think there’s a difference between kids who have really high stats (and IMO, I think Rice does consider stats more than some schools) that are competitive at almost any school vs a kid whose stats (GPA, SAT etc) may be below the avg Rice student.
Even if they’re applying ED, if you dont show a ton of demonstrated interest, the school may view the borderline stat kid as applying mainly because they think they have a better shot of getting in vs a kid who really wants to go to Rice and would be competitive everywhere.
Perhaps - but don’t forget, and not to diminish this outstanding student who is extremely accomplished with outstanding ECs such as football equipment manager - this student has a 1500 SAT at a school with an 890 average.
So they’re going to bring some more into the student population.
It certainly won’t hurt - so if OP is reading, sure, go ahead and do so if you haven’t…and I hope good things for the OP. Certainly not safe but I’ve got my fingers crossed for them.
I think your EC’s are very strong and most schools understand how difficult it is to juggle competitive HS sports with academics.
If you do get in, make sure you take advantage of the school’s support system. Most students at Rice will have already taken BC Calculus and Calculus at Rice is very difficult (even for students who got a 5 on BC Calculus AP).
Should that NOT work out. Be sure to show Tulane some demonstrated interest - just like some of the others on your list, it’s really important to them. Also don’t be surprised if you’re deferred from EA to RD by them and very soon after get a “want to increase your chances, switch to EDII” email.
I think you have a decent chance. I teach high school in Texas and my child graduated from Rice. I just finished the rec letters for two of my students, both have similar stats as yours - not tippy top among the applicants but way above their peers (in our title 1 campus).
That being said, last year I wrote two rec letters to two similar students but only one got in.
AP precalculus was first administered in 2024. Our school first offered it last year.
That’s true, although they’re also looking for a coherent “Why Rice?” statement that shows that the strong interest is rooted in true “fit” and not just chasing rank/prestige.
Good luck to you. At first glance I thought your GPA was a little low for RIce, but I see you are really at the top of your high school for both your class rank and SAT, so I think you have a chance. Rice is a reach for everyone, even perfect students. You are lucky to have a guaranteed spot at a school like UT, which is a wonderful school and a wonderful option if Rice doesn’t work out. I wish you all the best!