🍦 Today's Scoops: How to show "passion projects" in your apps (Oct 10)

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: Rice University

2. Admission Blueprint: How to best show “passion projects” in your application

3. TikTok Thursday

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Rice University

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Houston, TX
🎓 Student Population: 4,494 undergrads (8,672 total students)
📊 Acceptance Rate: 9% (31,443 applicants)
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1530/35
💸 Cost: $57,210 (tuition), $15,900 (room & board)
📅 Admission Options: Early Decision (Nov 1), Regular Decision (Jan 4), Early Decision II (Jan 5)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Kinesiology (#1), Art (#2), Engineering (#4), Chemistry (#5) (Niche)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Biological And Biomedical Sciences (15%), Engineering (14%), Computer Science (13%) (Scoir)

Some Positives

🔬 World-Class Research Opportunities: Rice is renowned for its cutting-edge research in fields like engineering, nanotechnology, and biosciences. Students can engage in meaningful research early on through programs like the Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program (RUSP) and partnerships with the nearby Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex. Explore Research at Rice.

⚙️ Top Engineering Programs: Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the country. With state-of-the-art facilities and industry connections in Houston’s Energy Corridor, students have access to incredible resources in fields like civil, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. Learn more about Rice Engineering.

🎓 Residential College System: Rice’s unique Residential College System fosters a strong sense of community, making students feel at home while offering leadership and mentorship opportunities. Students are randomly assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, creating a close-knit environment that lasts throughout their time at Rice. Learn more about Residential Colleges.

🚀 Innovative Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Rice’s location in Houston and its Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) provides students with ample opportunities to explore entrepreneurship, including access to the Rice Business Plan Competition, the world’s largest and richest student startup competition. Explore Lilie.

🌆 Houston as a Hub for Opportunities: Rice is situated in one of the most diverse and economically booming cities in the U.S. Houston offers students a wealth of internship, research, and job opportunities across various industries, from healthcare and energy to technology and space exploration. Learn more about the Center for Career Development.

Some Negatives

📚 Intense Academic Pressure: The academic rigor at Rice can be challenging, especially in STEM fields. Students often face a heavy workload, which may not appeal to those looking for a more laid-back environment.

🏀 No Major Sports Culture: While Rice is part of NCAA Division I, it lacks the big sports culture found at many other universities. For students seeking the quintessential college football or basketball experience, Rice may fall short. Explore Rice Athletics.

🏙️ Urban Setting: While Houston offers many opportunities, the large urban setting might not appeal to students looking for a more traditional college town. The spread-out nature of the city also means students without cars may face challenges getting around.

LINK LOUNGE REFRESH
Yesterday’s Resources & Scholarships!

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

Congressional App Challenge - Competition run by congress to choose the best student-made app in each congressional district

Robertson Scholars Program - Full-ride scholarship to Duke or UNC, if you get into either school

(NEW) PEO STAR Scholarship - $2,500 scholarships for exceptional female seniors

(NEW) Hack Club High School Hackathons - Upcoming hackathons for high schoolers, with thousands in prizes

ADMISSION BLUEPRINT
How to best show “passion projects” in your application

📝 Be Specific

When describing your passion projects, provide concrete details. Explain what the project is, your role, and the skills you developed. Specificity helps admissions officers visualize your contributions and commitment.

🌱 Show Growth

Highlight how your passion projects have evolved over time. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This demonstrates resilience and a willingness to learn, qualities that colleges value.

📈 Include Impact

Discuss the impact of your passion projects. Whether it’s helping your community, achieving personal milestones, or gaining new skills, showing the outcomes of your efforts can illustrate your dedication and influence.

💡 Connect to Future Goals

Explain how your passion projects align with your academic and career aspirations. This connection shows that you have thought critically about your future and how your experiences shape your goals.

🌍 Be Authentic

Choose passion projects that genuinely resonate with you. Authenticity shines through in your writing and helps create a compelling narrative about who you are as a person and a student.

🗣️ Share Your Voice

Use your unique voice and perspective when writing about your passion projects. This not only makes your application memorable but also allows admissions officers to get to know you better.

📚 Utilize Multiple Platforms

Make the most of various sections of your application to showcase your passion projects. You can highlight them in your personal statement or supplemental essays, where you can provide detailed narratives. Additionally, include them in your activities list, ensuring you highlight the most significant projects with clear descriptions. If you have the option to submit a resume, use it to provide a comprehensive overview of your achievements. During interviews, be prepared to discuss your projects and the impact they’ve had on you and your community. Utilizing multiple platforms not only reinforces your commitment but also allows you to present a well-rounded picture of who you are.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
5 days until UT’s EA Deadline!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

TIKTOK THURSDAY
Our favorite TikToks from last week

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
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