<p>Rice has to use a waitlist… they are too small a school to be able to absorb a large bunch of freshman if more students than expected decide to matriculate - so they have to guess a little low, then adjust with the waitlist. They are not trying to mess with your head! Really! In the next ten years they hope to grow UG enrollment to 3000. (They have to build a new college or two first.) Stay on the waitlist if you are still interested. If you are accepted and have financial need (as determined by FAFSA), you will be provided with financial assistance, unlike some schools.</p>