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Highly Selective College Admission

Understand the holistic review process, transcript importance, types of applications, extracurricular activities, testing requirements, recommendation letters, interviews, and campus visits for highly selective college admission.

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Highly Selective College Admission

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  1. Highly Selective College Admission Brandon Mack, m.ed Senior Assistant Director of Admission Rice University

  2. How do we determine admission? • Highly selective college admission is NOT an exact science • Holistic Review Process • Intellectual curiosity • Engagement in and contributions to one’s community • Broad perspectives and differing points of view • A variety of talents and the desire for growth Everything counts!

  3. Transcript • Course selection is just as important as the grades you earn. Take the most advanced course options available in your school: • Honors • Advanced Placement (AP) • Dual Credit Courses • International Baccalaureate (IB) • Make strong and consistent grades • As are preferred • Bs are OK Is it better to make an A in an Honors class or a B in an AP class?

  4. Transcript • Take core academic solids each year of high school (English, math, science, social science, foreign language) • Take a challenging curriculum in high school. You should be in advanced level courses, AP, or IB if your school offers them • Get good grades! • Get to know your teachers and counselor. They will be writing recommendations on your behalf so help them be your best advocate

  5. The Application • Which application should you complete? • The Common Application • The Coalition Application • Universal College Application • ApplyTexas • University-specific Application • Additional Information Section • Résumé • Additional statement(s)

  6. Types of Applications • The Common Application – www.commonapp.org • One application for more than 600 different colleges and universities across the country • They represent an enormously diverse variety of institutions: small and large, public and private, coed and single-sex, highly selective and relatively open enrollment • Participating schools often require additional materials that are specific to their school • Participating schools are committed to a holistic review process

  7. Types of Applications ApplyTexas – www.applytexas.org One application for 60 four-year colleges and universities in Texas Participating schools include: • University of Texas System • A&M University System • University of Houston System • Various private and public Texas Universities

  8. Application Supplement • In addition to the Common Application, there will often be university specific questions • Be sure your responses, answers and descriptions are also university specific • Be sure to provide full descriptions

  9. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES • Get involved at your high school, whether it’s student clubs or even organizations outside your school • Seek out leadership opportunities in your favorite clubs or organizations • Do not procrastinate! It is apparent when the activities list – and applications - are rushed and completed at the last minute

  10. Standardized Testing Requirements • Be sure you fulfill the standardized testing requirements • Rice: SAT & 2 SAT II Subject tests or ACT • Test-optional • Minimum score required? • The higher the score, the more competitive your application

  11. Letters of Recommendation • Counselor Letters • Should speak to you as a citizen within your school • Teacher Letters • Junior/Senior year teacher aligned with intended area of study • Do not exceed the required number of recommendations • Quality over quantity

  12. The Interview • Check to see if the interview is required/optional • Interviewing is an optional component of the Rice application process • Some interviews are encouraged but not evaluative • Introduces your personality • Helps both sides establish fit • Communicate with university representative • Hate interviewing? Do NOT interview if it is optional

  13. Campus Visit • If you have the chance, visit the campus • If you are close to the institution, we EXPECT you to visit • Visit a variety of institutions to get a sense of what kind of institution you want to attend • Try to limit your trips to one school per day • Check to see if the school offers special visitation programs

  14. Common Terms in Admission • Early Decision • Early Action • Regular Decision • Need Blind Admission vs. Need Aware Admission • Waitlist • Defer (Early Decision) • Need-based aid vs. Merit based aid • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • CSS Profile • Net Price Calculator

  15. Contact Information Rice University’s Office of Admission admission@rice.edu www.futureowls.rice.edu

  16. Questions?

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