Name: Jane

Home State: Washington State (aka: home of Starbucks)

HS GPA: 3.96 (probably on a slippery slope-esque decline)

SAT/ACT Scores: ACT -- 35; SAT -- 2230

How many schools did you apply to? Two. (Haha)

Which ones? Rice University (ED) and the University of Washington in Seattle.

Were you surprised by any of your admissions decisions? I'm actually quite astounded like I got into UW. Just kidding. Despite sounding irritatingly condescending, I found my acceptances to Rice (ED) and UW both rather predictable. I was amused and shocked at the generosity of Rice's merit scholarships, though, if that counts as a type of admissions decision.

Did you apply early decision/early action to any schools? Are you happy with your decision? Rice -- Early Decision. While in a college induced stupor possibly from Bellevue's bizarre autumn weather (global warming, anyone?), I experienced a (perhaps unreliable) epiphany that Rice was the sole school for me, and the only college where I would meet all my (University-related) desires. With this fervent conviction, I began my Rice ED application a single week before it's deadline, and was pleased to find myself a member of Rice Class of 2011. Well now that I have achieved 20/20 hindsight (they really should make contact lenses for that), I'm not quite sure if I am happy with my decision. While I am a strong proponent of living a life with no regrets, I can't help but wonder at times if I should have put more (rational) thought into my decision making process, or that perhaps I ought to have gone to a more nurturing or perhaps more west-coast-prestigious school. After much pondering, discussion, ranting, ice-cream-eating, and staying up past midnight staring at the stars outside and wondering at the wisdom of acting impulsively, I believe I have reached a kind of existential peace at apply early to Rice, although I do wonder at what path would be taken if I had a single chance to relive in this time in my life.

Where did you get in? Rice University (ED) and University of Washington.

Where will you be next fall? How excited are you? I will be heading (literally, if you think about a geographical map) down to Houston, TX next fall. ON a scale of one to very excited, I think I would be about moderately excited. Being an teenager, hormones guarantee that my feelings about Rice are ever changing and yet always extremely passionate.

Why did you choose the school you did? Basically, I chose Rice based on it's (relatively) small size, it's (relatively) good reputation, it's warm weather, it's friendly/nerdy student body (I aspire to be a nerd), it's good science programs, it's undergraduate friendly atmosphere (especially in regard to research), it's diverse student body, it's amazing merit scholarship program, and it's name, which brings a knowing smile and a warm spark to the heart of an Asian person randomly standing around me while I discuss college. After I chose Rice, Rice chose me. And then I chose Rice. Because I applied ED.

What advice do you have for surviving the admissions process? Push yourself to your limit. Do the impossible. Seriously, stress and adrenaline can do amazing things for a person. Reach high. Dream big. Keep it together. Act impulsively. Rely on those around you. Watch for the signs (only kidding). Don't rely completely on feelings. But do realize that intuition is there for a reason. Use it.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently, if anything? No regrets. All I can say is women's colleges are pretty bomb.

Anything else you want to say? Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to explore my bizarre, randomly-updated, and probably often ineffective and unhelpful college process. Anyone with the good taste to enjoy (or perhaps tolerate) my written musings definitely has what it takes to attend a great college, and more importantly, live a brilliant life. Cheers, everyone!

Sincerely,
Jane
Rice University 2011