<p>I feel like Rice genuinely looks for unique people and if you do not have to stats, then you have to really offer them something unique and different. Also, the essays really do count for a lot and it has to be a good, unique, non cliche one as well. Another thing (and I’m not entirely sure if it is true or not) I have heard is that being in Texas does make it a little harder because there is more competition and that maybe why also. Rice is seeing a rise in applicants and there may have been someone with stats close to yours but just offered something more unique and maybe being out of state was that. I’m really sorry about it but there are other great schools out there.</p>