**Rice University 2016 Regular Decision Applicants!**

FallenAngel9
Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:38:34 +0000

@runallday4 -

1. A stronger SAT score is always better, but if you have a 2250 don’t retake just to make yourself look like a better applicant, as you can devote the resources you devoted to the retake elsewhere and get more results.

2) It has a somewhat higher admit rate, yes, but you have to account for the fact that yield will be at or just under 100%–that they are taking students who really want to go to Rice and will thus be great contributors to campus–and other things. The advantage is not that great, although there definitely is one.

3) Essays are hugely important, yeah. I would argue the most important part of the application. But again, they are only ONE part. Recs, ECs, stats, etc count too. Your essays don’t get you in, your app does. It’s a holistic process and you have treat it like one to give yourself the strongest chances. This means writing great essays but also picking your recommendations, describing your activities, etc all well too.

4) I strongly believe that this is not the case. I know countless people here at Rice who got likely letters to Ivies or who would have doubtlessly been coveted by HYPSM. I think the fact that people with perfect stats get rejected doesn’t say anything about yield protection (and if it does, it’s a very small factor), but rather, I would say that this observation speaks to the holistic nature of the process. A 36 doesn’t get you into Rice. A great app that shows who you are and what you can bring to Rice while still being academically successful does.