Hey everyone, college applications are opening soon and I already have a list in mind. Rice University is my dream school, but I don’t feel like my profile is strong enough, and my budget for applications is pretty limited. I wanted to ask if you think it’s worth applying to Rice—or if it would just be a total gamble—and if I should save the money for a more accessible university instead. If not, I’d like to know which other good universities I’d have a decent chance of getting into that also offer good financial aid. I’m from Utah, by the way.
I’m not asking chance me, just feedback
(Mechanical engineering)
List
University of Utah
University of Rochester
Lehigh University
Rice university/another one
Context
Ecuadorian
First gen
Latino
American resident
I moved to the U.S. halfway through my junior year; I wasn’t allowed to take advanced classes because I arrived mid-year, so I could only take them during my senior year—advanced classes don’t exist in Ecuador. I learned a new language (English), adapted to a new system, and maintained my academic and personal excellence.
(ESL program junior and senior year)
My high school no have neither rank nor gpa w
Academic
3.9 gpa (uw)
9 courses AP/CE (senior year)
1 honor course (junior year)
Highest Academic Distinction: Gold Merit Award X2 (sophomore, junior)
High Academic Distinction: Silver Merit Award (freshman)
Graduating with 52 credits over 28 required by the district
ECs
Internship research university of utah
developed a physics-based model that connects particle shape and airflow to predict irregular particles terminal velocity more accurately
Poster presented in a symposium
Tutored students worldwide in STEM subjects, managing virtual classrooms of up to 60 students.
Latinos in Action
Class president (Ecuador)
Environment representative (Ecuador)
Academic coordinator representative (Ecuador)
200 hours community service
NHS
LORs
1 professor from lor Ecuador hs
1 professor from lor US hs
1 professor lor research professor u of u
It would be easier to chance you if you can provide more data - ACT and/or SAT scores, AP exam scores, high school subjects taken, non “A” graded subjects, etc. University of Utah looks to be the in-state safety option at this point.
Rice parent here. Rice will be a reach, as you know, but I think it is at least worth the application for you. You have an interesting profile - a high academic achiever in your home country (one which is not especially common for international applicants), and now you have apparently learned English in just a few years while completing high school in the US. If available, strong standardized test scores (AP/SAT/ACT) would help confirm that you are sufficiently prepared to handle their program of study. Rice will of course have far more applicants with interesting profiles than they can accept, but I would give it a shot.
What is it about Rice that particularly appeals to you? Size, location, engineering strength, residential college system? We can offer alternatives depending on what you are looking for.
I love the balance between social and academic life and the fact that it’s a close knit university, the residential colleges are definitely the best part for me. I’ve always dreamed of attending a top-tier university, and the financial aid is massive. As for the ACT, I took it a few months ago when I didn’t speak English and got a 14, English isn’t a problem anymore, but I’ve developed a real fear of the test. I’m going to retake it in September, but tbh, I’m not expecting much, which is why my list consists of test-optional schools.
You’ll likely need to also take the TOEFL since English is not your native language. It is usually highly recommended for admission to most universities.
Consider taking the SAT, as math is weighted more heavily in the SAT (50%) compared to the ACT (25% or 33% depending on whether or not you take the optional science section).
I agree there is no obvious reason you cannot take a shot at Rice. I also agree it would be nice if you could apply with a high test score, but they do have some test optional admits.
Rice is very good for financial aid, but they are need aware for international students. If you get in, they will cover all of your demonstrated need, but whether you get in will be influenced by your need. That will be a tough admit.
Just curious- did you personally develop this model Or did you work in your internship with a team that developed this? Wording and accuracy are important.
As an aside- am also a Rice parent. It’s a great school. How did you learn about it and what specifically about it draws you to it? And are to only looking at colleges/universities in the US? There are many schools around the world with residential colleges.
@Davissl, are you a US Citizen or Permanent Resident? If not, please keep in mind that not all those scholarships will be available to you. As per their website:
Note : International students are not eligible for all scholarships listed.
