<p>Okay, so if you are thinking “oh I’ll apply ED because the admit rate is higher and I’ll have a better chance of getting in,” a good part of that is false. From what I’ve heard from attending the info session at Ivies (and I don’t know if it fully applies to Rice but this is a general information to know), the admit rate for academic seeking students (students who are apply for academic purpose) is actually closer to the RD than you think. Why? A good deal of people accepted during ED is actually athletes which the university recruits. Some universities want them to sign early so they have them apply early (I know many kids who signed with schools like Princeton, Duke, UNC, Northwestern, etc. before RD). So the admit rate is rather deceptive since a lot of the students accepted during ED actually have their application go through the “express accepted line” (made that up but you get the idea).</p>
<p>Now back to you: I would actually advise you to apply RD. ED is for people who are 100**+**% sure that they want to go to Rice. These people are the people who have checked out other schools and (to quote an admissions officer) “who are absolutely sure they would like to be at” Rice and “not at any where else.” If you have any doubts and reserves, please (and I mean) please do not apply ED. The worst thing is to get accepted ED, be bound, and spend at least a miserable year (if not more if you don’t transfer) at Rice. If you feel like you have any doubts about going to Rice (like “I might be happier at _<strong><em>” or “man, I probably could get accepted to _</em></strong>”), apply RD, you will have the time and chance to really deliberate over your choice of college.</p>