Calling all Jones (Rice) Applicants! Fall 2013

"Thank you for your email and your interest in the Rice MBA for Professionals program.

The admissions committee does not offer feedback to applicants that are not admitted to the program. In the event you decide to apply in the future, the admissions committee looks forward to reviewing your application."

^^^

Yup, verbatim - except I was going for full time.

I hate to say it, but it's like it HURTS your application if you tell them you are looking at other school at the same level, or better than them (Rice).[/quote]

While I agree that it can hurt your chances, I was forthcoming with the other schools I was applying to (2 of which were higher ranked) and it seemingly didn't have a negative impact. I also made a very strong effort to show Rice how serious I was about their program. I visited campus for an information session (from out of town), I came back to campus while in Houston on business and grabbed coffee with a current 2nd year student, and I also met some of the adcom staff at a local MBA fair in my city.

All that to say, if you never showed your true interest in Rice it could hurt you but simply applying to other schools isn't the sole reason for the ding.[/quote]


UTDB, were you admitted? I did all these things, a few times over as I'm a Houston resident - still dinged.

While I agree that it can hurt your chances, I was forthcoming with the other schools I was applying to (2 of which were higher ranked) and it seemingly didn't have a negative impact. I also made a very strong effort to show Rice how serious I was about their program. I visited campus for an information session (from out of town), I came back to campus while in Houston on business and grabbed coffee with a current 2nd year student, and I also met some of the adcom staff at a local MBA fair in my city.

All that to say, if you never showed your true interest in Rice it could hurt you but simply applying to other schools isn't the sole reason for the ding.[/quote]


UTDB, were you admitted? I did all these things, a few times over as I'm a Houston resident - still dinged.[/quote]

Yes, I was admitted.

Well said. I agree with your position about the matriculation rate.

Congrats! Rice is a great school. Otherwise we wouldn't be here, right?

Its unfortunate I can't get some feedback on their decision =/

Long time lurker here. Just thought I'll share my 2 cents - I think notifying them the schools you applied to can both play to your advantage and disadvantage. All the other schools I applied to were ranked higher than rice, and I put the schools on my application. I however had a genuine interest in Rice and not just as a safety school, particularly since I live in Houston. It culminated in an admit and 100% scholarship. I am heavily leaning to Rice at this point in time.

I think seeing other schools on my application made them make the offer more competitive. If they had perceived that I see them as a safety school, it may have resulted in a ding.

Congrats to all Admits, and best of luck to ALL

R2 Full-time applicant here. Still no word from admissions. Seems like most admits/dings have already gone out. Not sure what to make of my situation...

Agree.

I think something similar is what happened to me, though totally inadvertent on my part. I highly recommend nobody try to "game" the system though.

Rice wants to be a top school, so they want ambitious people and competitive applicants who want to be at top schools. But first and foremost they certainly want people who want to be at Rice specifically and didn't just pick it as a random safety. The earlier point on matriculation is a wise one. Also understand, they need to build a diverse class with a very limited number of spots. Plenty of strong candidates could get a ding simply because there were a lot of other candidates with similar background.

Congrats to all admitted. Good luck to R3 and R4.

I got an interview invite the second week of January (r2 applicant) but did not interview till second week of Feb. I just made an excuse that I was out of the country for work because I was too busy working on other applications. Do you think this could have played a role in my Ding. Did they conclude that I was not too keen in their school because I did not interview immediately. I just cant get my head around the fact that I got rejected and I would like some sort of closure. Any thoughts guys?

I can't imagine that causing a Ding. These things are so hard to break down. If your grades and GMAT were on par then it comes down to how enthusiastic you came across about the program and if you can bring something unique to the school. I had below average GPA and GMAT but I think my essays were stellar, I met multiple current students out for a beer to pick their brain about the program, went to a ton of school info sessions, and the admin team seemed to love my unique work experience and saw I could bring something unique to the program.

You probably won't get an acceptable answer anywhere. Unless you can get someone from the school to give you feedback. If that's even possible.

Hey!
My application shows that I am wait-listed.
What does that mean? Is it a ding or is there actually some kind of waitlist?

Get dinged as well. It was a total nightmare cuz Rice was my first choice. I had a pretty good profile and my interview went really well. The only reason I can think of after reading the previous posts is that I have listed UT McCombs on my application. Actually I have already been admitted by UT and several other very good schools, but I'm definitely heading for Houston if only I received the admit from Rice. Unfortenately the result didn't go well, I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the apearance of the McCombs name on my application. I realized until now that Rice could be a little sensitive to McCombs. Anyway, it was truly heart-broken for me.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I included McCombs on my app as well and I'd venture to guess most Admitted have too. At least you got good news at some other schools. So congrats for that.

I agree with most of the other related comments and would like to weigh in and comment that you shouldn't feel bad that you listed McCombs on your application, or anyone else for that matter. Its obviously founded for applicants to have interest in multiple programs and I am doubtful that they would ding you for being honest and listing McCombs. I understand that some people try to be strategic with what other schools they may list on their applications, but one shouldn't worry themselves after the fact with thinking that one could have been better off withholding information. I am not inclined to skew my story for perceptions sake (not that you did or would), applicants should feel confident applying where they are applying and speak to it because they are. Like another post said, there are a zillion different factors schools use to evaluate candidates and it may come down to a case of similar profiles. Nonetheless, sorry to hear about the ding, but congrats on your other admissions, it sounds like you have some great options to choose from!

hi guys！

congs to all admitted

I need your any opinions pls
for international student who wants to work in Houston in consulting
dose it looks silly to go to Vandy with full scholarship instead of Rice with 50% scholarship？

and any ideas for the same one choosing among

Owen 100% Vs Rice 50% Vs Emory little $ Vs Darden no scholarship？


Thank you so much！