Chance me for Vanderbilt or Emory ED 2 [TX resident, 3.9 GPA, 1530 SAT]

[Bill_Marsh]

Wash U

[Bill_Marsh]

@NiceUnparticularMan

@slowsilver03

Where am I more likely to be admitted?
Rice or WashU?

I think those are too close for anyone to be able to give a definitive answer. But I do know Rice has a reputation for really preferring people who persuade them that they understand and appreciate Rice in detail. And this cycle they added ED2. While I would never say you have to apply ED2, if in fact you really did like Rice more than any other option–as you reasonably could–then it would be worth considering ED2 there.

With 2 grandkids at Rice, our personal experience agrees with what you say about Rice admissions. And you’re also right that both of these schools are so selective, that no one can say definitively.

On the other hand, when I look at the numbers, a little more than a quarter of the admitted students at Rice last year did not submit standardized test scores. At Wash U, it was almost half. That tells me that Wash U was looking at factors other than test scores for a lot of applicants. So, whil I believe that your statement about what Rice is looking for in its applicants is true, it appears that it is also true at Wash U.

[NiceUnparticularMan]

Yeah, it is interesting, WashU in my circles has a reputation for liking high numbers kids, and you can sort of see that is true–among kids with numbers. But they do have a decent number of test optional admits.

Of course most of those test optional kids could then have really high GPAs, lots of 5 AP scores when relevant, and so on–hard to know.

But at least per CDS data, WashU reported a higher percentage of students who did not submit test scores with a 4.0 (67%) than Vanderbilt (34.0%). Emory only reported for test submitters, but that was 17.0% (versus 68% for WashU and 41.2% for Vandy). And then Rice reported none of this.

OK, so a 1530 is solid for any of these colleges. The OP’s grades, though–I am not really sure. Not to the point I would advise against applying, I just think how any of these colleges might respond to the OP’s transcript given the little the OP told us is hard to predict.

[ucbalumnus]

@DadTwoGirls

And Texas A&M is very good for computer science and computer engineering.

Problem is, secondary admission to those majors can be an issue. A 3.75 college GPA auto admits, but those majors have very little space left after auto admits fill them up.

[CFP]

@slowsilver03

I have been told A&M is seen as the Virginia Tech of Texas, although their program is great, it is not seen as prestigious.

Im going to say this with a very biased viewpoint (since I went to UT Austin).

A&M has a very unique student culture and traditions. Many people love it.

It’s a very good school but this is definitely one where “fit” is important. Of course you can always be a 2 percenter, a reference to those who dont fully embrace their culture and traditions.

When my daughter was applying to schools, I told her the one school I would not recommend for her was Texas A&M. Great school but It just wouldnt be a good fit for her.

She’s currently at Rice.

[ucbalumnus]

@slowsilver03

have been told A&M is seen as the Virginia Tech of Texas

VT engineering secondary admission has auto admit to major with a 3.0 college GPA, versus 3.75 college GPA at Texas A&M.

[slowsilver03]

If you don’t mind, would you please share some of your daughter’s stats and also some of the reasons why TAMU was not a good “fit”?

[Maryland85]

At 150K, you would get finaid anyway. For CS academically its Rice>WashU>Vandy>Emory although this is splitting hairs as all have high post grad salaries for CS. However the CS market is tanking and i would consider a school where double majoring is easy. Also ease of selectivity speaking WashU>Emory > Vanderbilt> Rice.

[CFP]

TAMU has some very spirited traditions. Some people really embrace them and others dont.

Just do a Google search and you will find them and can decide if that’s a good environment for you. My daughter was not interested in their traditions and culture.

My D’s stats were very similar to yours - slightly higher GPA, slightly higher SAT, Salutatorian, had some awards (nothing major), went to a highly selective summer writing program and professional internships.

Rice really cares about demonstrated interest. She applied early decision and was accepted.

She’s made a ton of friends, very collaborative and she really enjoys it. It’s been a great experience, even better than she expected.

[merc81]

@slowsilver03

Where am I more likely to be admitted?
Rice or WashU?

As a statistical perspective on comparative difficulty of admission, this site placed Rice 17th and Wash U 26th by selectivity, when considered nationally:

College & University Rankings in 2025

[NiceUnparticularMan]

I note Emory being generally more selective than WashU is not a claim I have actually heard before, and superficially would not seem to be supported by things like CDS data, although again I am in the camp that believes there is too much nuance here to be sure either way as to a given individual.

[CFP]

IMO,

Rice, Wash U, Emory and Vanderbilt are all very similiar in selectivity.

[NiceUnparticularMan]

I completely agree. Like, it would not at all surprise me to see any possible combination of decisions from an individual who applied to all four of those colleges.

[txfriendly]

FWIW, I’m not CFP, but I have a similar situation - my Rice junior (4.0, 35 ACT, 12 APs) never considered Texas A&M despite being auto-admitted based on class rank. In her case, she is a politically progressive, social justice-oriented person, and A&M is a relatively conservative campus, both politically and socially. It’s also huge, so there’s a good chance that anyone (including her) could eventually locate a group that fits them, but the general tenor and vibe of campus just was not appealing to her. In some ways, the entire campus is really like one giant Greek organization - there are many rules and traditions (written and unwritten) to be carefully observed, and failure to do so can leave one on the outside looking in. The derisive term “2 percenter” is used by Aggies to stigmatize those students who fail to sufficiently buy into the Aggie-ness, with the theory being that 98% of Aggies are all-in and only 2% don’t get it. But if you truly commit to being an Aggie, all of this has the benefit of creating an unusually strong feeling of family and camaraderie even on a huge campus, which many people really like. The family concept also leads to an unusually devoted and willing alumni network, which can be very beneficial long-term. Anyway, I agree that A&M is definitely a “fit” school, much more so than the usual flagship.

[Maryland85]

WashU has slightly higher test scores but a higher acceptance rate as well than Emory. There ED rates are noticeably higher than Emorys, and we’re discussing ED2.

[NiceUnparticularMan]

So acceptance rates are not really useful for comparing selectivity on an individual level unless you either know the base applicant pools are the same, or you can control for any differences.

[Maryland85]

You think the applicant pool is different for WashU and Emory? Lol.

[Bill_Marsh]

Well, there actually was a difference in the 2 applicant pools last year, which could make a difference in this case.

1. The size of the two applicant pools was similar.
2. But Wash U had 2000 more males apply.
3. Wash U admitted 200 more males than Emory.
4. 236 more males enrolled at Wash U than at Emory.

[prezbucky]

I’d choose WashU (vs. Vandy and Emory) for CS.

And WashU is in a neat area – nearby are a free zoo, a cool little commercial area with good food, The Hill (Italian restaurants) a bit to the south and east, etc.

[tsbna44]

The student might want CE - and if so, that’s why Emory should be out.