Minority applications for Interim Decision increase

By Risa Gordon | Thresher Editorial Staff

Interim Decision applications increased by 8 percent this year but did not reach the level of two years ago. This year, 3,275 Interim Decision applications were received, compared to 3,020 for the class of 2009 and 3,348 for the class of 2008.

Dean of Undergraduate Enrollment Julie Browning said the Admissions Office plans to admit a similar number of Interim Decision applicants as last year, when 29 percent of applicants were accepted. Interim Decision is a non-binding application plan under which applications are due Dec. 1 and applicants are notified of Rice’s decision by Feb. 10.

Although the total number of female applicants was higher than that of males, there was a larger increase in the number of males who applied — 12 percent — than the increase in the number of females — 5 percent.

The number of applications from most minority groups increased, although the number of multiracial students who applied through Interim Decision decreased 97 percent. African American applicants increased by 38 percent, and the number of Asian American applicants increased by 25 percent. The number of American Indian applicants doubled from 13 to 26.

The number of Texas applicants decreased by 1 percent, and the number of out-of-state and international applicants both increased. Browning said a study last year showed Texans were more sensitive to tuition costs than out-of-state students. Rice’s tuition has increased since indexing — tying yearly increases in tuition to the Consumer Price Index — ended with Fall 2003 matriculants. Currently the annual tuition for freshmen is $23,310, which is more similar to peer institutions’ figures than in previous years.

Browning said the increase in minority and out-of-state applications may have been influenced by a wide-scale calling campaign used to contact prospective students. Student Admissions Council volunteers contacted 820 prospective students during its fall campaign, and the SAC Minority Interest Campaign contacted 304 minority prospective students. Browning said Rice students’ visits to high schools also contributed to the increase in applications.

For the first year, the Admissions Office received more electronic applications than paper applications. This year, 2,032 electronic and 1,264 paper applications were submitted for Interim Decision; last year, Admissions received 1,436 electronic applications and 1,613 paper applications for Interim Decision. The numbers add up to greater than the total number of applications received because some students submit the first part of the application in paper form and then switch to electronic submission, Browning said.

The Admissions Office plans to hold two Owl Weekends this year in hopes of getting more admitted students to enroll at Rice. Yield rates are usually higher for Owl Weekend attendees. An Owl Weekend for students admitted under Interim Decision will be held in March, and the traditional Owl Weekend will be held in April.

“Part of the goal of doing this is so that Owl Weekend isn’t so large — we think it’s become impersonal,” Browning said.

January 20, 2006

The Student Newspaper of Rice University

Minority applications for Interim Decision increase

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