Admission

Rice offers more than 50 undergraduate majors across seven academic schools of study, including architecture, business, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences. All applicants must specify which one of our seven academic schools is their primary intended area of study. In addition, applicants will be asked to indicate up to three specific academic areas of interest (majors, minors, pre-professional tracks). Our academic schools are looking for different strengths and qualities in applicants. Students should choose the school that most accurately reflects their intended area(s) of academic interest.

Rice seeks through its admission policies to bring bright and promising students to the university from a range of socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, and other backgrounds. We celebrate the diverse experiences of prospective students who will contribute to our community of scholars. We seek to empower the varied voices of multifaceted students so that they may be heard. In so doing, we endeavor to craft a residential community that fosters creative, intercultural interactions among students, where prejudices of all sorts are confronted fairly and dispelled. We aim to enroll a class of students that is multidimensional in ability, ideology, background, achievement and/or lived racial experience. Such diversity is critical in solving the most perplexing, challenging problems already known, and those we have not yet encountered.

Admission

Through holistic evaluation review we evaluate the breadth of students' accomplishments, interests and contributions to their communities within the context of their life experiences. We consider a variety of factors including the rigor of a student's coursework, academic performance, extracurricular activities and achievements, essays, and articulated knowledge about the Rice community. We are careful not to emphasize any single academic metric, such as class rank, grade point average, or test scores. We evaluate each student within the context of their school and personal environment and consider what opportunities they have had access to as well as the challenges that they may have faced. We value the breadth of socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, racial or ethnic, educational and other perspectives that each student brings to the table. More information about Rice’s admission philosophy can be found here.

Undergraduate First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are those who will complete high school by the end of the current academic year.

  • Students enrolled in concurrent high school and college courses are considered first-year candidates.
  • Students who have elected to take time off from schooling between graduating from high school and enrolling in college are considered first-year candidates.
  • Completion of a high school diploma (or an equivalent) prior to enrollment is required for all new incoming students.

Domestic vs. International

Domestic applicants are those who hold one of the following citizenship or residency statuses: 

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Permanent Residency
  • DACA
  • Undocumented who do not hold DACA status but have resided in the U.S. for an extended period of time
  • Refugee/Asylee

International applicants are foreign nationals applying to Rice. Foreign nationals are students living outside the U.S. or living in the U.S. who hold, a valid F-1, J-1, H-1, H-4, etc. visa/ status, as well as those pending Permanent Residency status. Rice's international student designation is based on residency or citizenship status rather than where a student lives and studies.

Decision Plans

Rice offers three first-year application decision plans: Early Decision, Regular Decision, and QuestBridge National College Match.  

Early Decision Plan

Early Decision is a binding decision plan designed for students who have selected Rice as their first choice. Students may initiate applications to other colleges under nonbinding plans but must withdraw those applications if admitted to Rice.  For more information, visit the Decision Plan section of the First Year Domestic Applicants page or the First Year International Applicants page.

Regular Decision Plan

Regular Decision is a non-binding decision plan.  For more information, visit the Decision Plan section of the First Year Domestic Applicants page or the First Year International Applicants page.

QuestBridge National College Match

Rice is one of the original QuestBridge university and college partners (starting in 2004), and we have a proven commitment to providing access to low-income students. Programs Rice supports include the College Prep Conferences and the National College Match program. For more information about applying to Rice through QuestBridge, please visit Rice University's QuestBridge page or contact us directly at admission@rice.edu.

Application Requirements

A list of the most current application requirements, fees and deadlines can be found on the First Year Domestic Applicants page, First Year International Applicants page or Transfer Applicants page.

Shepherd School Music Applicants

Applicants interested in Shepherd School of Music must submit additional materials depending on their area of study. For more information, please visit the Shepherd School of Music Admission page.

School of Architecture Applicants

Applicants interested in the School of Architecture must submit a portfolio of creative work. Portfolios should be uploaded via your Rice Admission Student Portal. The portfolio should demonstrate creative potential and is not expected to be architectural in focus. The School of Architecture does not accept CDs or DVDs. For more information, we encourage you to visit the School of Architecture Admission page.

School of Humanities - Visual and Dramatic Arts Major Applicants

Applicants interested in pursuing a major in Visual and Dramatic Arts (VADA) under the School of Humanities are encouraged to submit a portfolio of creative work. To submit a portfolio, it should be uploaded via your Rice Admission Student Portal. Note: Please see portfolio specifications below; submissions exceeding those specifications will not be accepted.

The portfolio should demonstrate creative potential and is not expected to be professional in quality. It may include examples of sketches, paintings, photography, models, etc. VADA does not accept CDs or DVDs, but VADA can access URLs to Vimeo or social media pages provided within the PDF.

Portfolio specifications:

  • PDF file labeled with applicant name (example: JaneDoe.pdf)
  • 15 MB maximum file size
  • Page size should be horizontally oriented A4 or Letter (8.5” x 11”); images should be between 150dpi and 300 dpi
  • The first page should be a cover/title page with the applicant’s name
  • Content can be up to 10 pages (not including the title page); more than one image or work can be included per page
  • Captions of images with title, year of execution, media, and size are encouraged. A one to two sentence description is also acceptable.

High School Requirements

Official Transcripts

Official high school/secondary school transcripts must include grades from 9th through 11th grade as well as courses being taken in the 12th grade. Early Decision applicants are encouraged to submit first marking period grades, when they become available. Regular Decision applicants are required to submit mid-year grades from 12th grade, when they become available.

Applicants studying in an international exam-based curriculum, must submit:

  • All official high school transcripts
  • Final exam results (for example IGCE/GCSE, CBSE X/AISSCE X)
  • Predicted exam results, if available

Course Requirements

Rice seeks students who demonstrate intellectual vitality through their course selection and their grade performance. Most applicants will challenge themselves by taking advantage of the rigorous coursework available to them. At a minimum, students must complete the following.

Subject Area Number of Credits
English 4
Social Studies 2
Mathematics 3
Laboratory Science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) 2
A foreign language 2
Additional credits in any of the categories above 3
Total 16
  • At a minimum, the natural science and engineering divisions require trigonometry or precalculus and both chemistry and physics. Students may substitute a second year of chemistry or biology for physics.
  • Students admitted with curriculum deficiencies will be asked to complete the required work by taking high school or college-level courses during the summer before enrolling at Rice.

Standardized Testing

Rice will allow first-year and transfer student applicants to undergraduate degree-seeking programs to submit SAT or ACT test scores, if they choose. Students who are unable to submit test scores or prefer not to submit test scores will be given full consideration in the admission selection process.

While standardized tests have long served to provide an external benchmark of college-readiness that provides meaningful information about a student’s preparedness for the rigors of a Rice education, they are merely one factor of many that are considered in the admission process. As is consistent with our holistic review, students will be given full consideration with the information they have provided regardless of their decision to submit their test scores.

For more information visit the Standardized Testing section of the First Year Domestic Applicants page, First Year International Applicants page or Transfer Applicants page.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways:

  1. Completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum prior to submitting an application.
  2. Submitting one of the following official test scores: Test of English as a Foreign Language, (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo.

To be considered official, all scores must be sent directly from the testing organization. Rice's TOEFL code is 6609. For more information visit the First Year International Applicants page.

Letters of Recommendation

Candidates must submit letters of recommendation from their counselor and two teachers.

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

The counselor letter of recommendation serves to highlight the accomplishments of a student within the context of their high school. The letter must come from an applicant’s assigned school counselor, college counselor, principal, or headmaster.

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

The two teacher recommendations serve to highlight the applicant’s academic strengths and contributions in the classroom. Both of these recommendations should be from teachers of core academic subjects, and ideally one recommendation should relate to the applicant's intended area of study. Though not a requirement, we would prefer letters from teachers who have taught the student for a full course.  

Supplemental Letters of Recommendation

The required counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations provide the Admission Committee with all the information we need to make an informed admission decision. However, if someone has unique and personal knowledge about an applicant's accomplishments or talents, the applicant may have that individual submit a supplemental recommendation.

Interviews

We recommend an interview for first-year applicants, though they are optional and not guaranteed. Interviews are a great way to articulate one's knowledge about Rice and an excellent opportunity to showcase academic and personal successes while learning more about the campus experience. For more information, visit the First Year Domestic Applicant page or the First Year International Applicant page.

Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program

Rice University has concluded our participation in the Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars program. We remain committed to supporting our current cohorts as they finish their studies at Rice and matriculate into Baylor College of Medicine. However, we will no longer accept new applications to the Rice/Baylor Program. We will continue to advise students on the many avenues and pathways to becoming healthcare professionals, including the traditional medical school application process.

For more information, visit the First Year Domestic Applicant page.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Need-Based Financial Aid for Domestic Students

We know that one of the biggest factors in determining the right school is affordability. Because we believe talent deserves opportunity, Rice offers need-blind admission to domestic students. This means we do not consider finances when we review the application. Additionally, Rice meets 100 percent of demonstrated need – without loans – for those who are eligible for the Rice Investment, one of the most notable financial aid programs in the country. For more information about need-based financial aid and The Rice Investment, please visit our Office of Financial Aid website. See also Tuition, Fees and Expenses.

Need-Based Financial Aid for International Students

Rice considers international applicants on a need-aware basis, and offers need-based financial aid to a limited number of international first year applicants. This means when the Admission Committee evaluates international applications, the amount of financial aid a family might need is taken into consideration. Students who wish to be considered for financial aid must indicate their intention to apply for financial aid on the admission application. International students admitted without a request for financial aid cannot apply for financial aid in subsequent years. Rice uses the CSS Profile for international students applying for financial aid. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Aid page.

Merit-based Scholarships

The Office of Admission offers merit-based scholarships to incoming first-year students who distinguish themselves academically and personally among our highly competitive group of admitted students. These scholarships are based solely on merit and financial need is not taken into consideration. There is no separate application or interview required; the Admission Committee automatically considers all admitted students, both domestic and international, on the basis of the student’s application for admission. About 20% of admitted students are offered a merit scholarship each year. Students awarded a merit-based scholarship will be notified at the time of admission.

International Student Financial Statement

All international applicants living outside the U.S. or in the U.S. must complete the International Student Financial Statement and supply the appropriate supporting documentation. International applicants not requesting financial aid must demonstrate the ability to finance their education at Rice. Those requesting financial aid must provide information about their family's financial status.

To complete the required Financial Statement, applicants will need to do the following:

  • Indicate if they will or will not be requesting financial aid
  • Submit all bank statements or affidavits supporting total funds available to go towards the total cost of attendance. Tax documents and proof of income are not accepted as supporting documentation.
  • Submit all award letters or documentation supporting any scholarship funds available to go towards the total cost of attendance.
  • Provide an explanation of how the applicant plans to cover the cost of attendance if the total sum of available funds is below $74,500.

All supporting financial documentation must be in English and converted to U.S. dollars.

The International Student Financial Statement can be found on the Rice Admission Student Portal once the application is submitted. An application will not be complete until the financial statement and all required documentation are submitted.

AP/IB/International Exams/Credit by Departmental Exam/Dual Enrollment Credit

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

Rice University awards transfer credit for the Advanced Placement (AP) Program, which enables high school students to earn transfer credit for college-level courses taken in high school upon completion of AP examinations with a score of 4 or 5. For more information about the AP transfer credit process, please visit the Advanced Placement (AP) Credit page.  

International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams

Rice University awards transfer credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations for students who hold the International Baccalaureate Diploma and have obtained a score of 6 or 7 on higher level exams. For more information about the IB transfer credit process, please visit the International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit page.  

International Exams

Students who complete various international exams with a grade of A or B may receive transfer credit. These exams include A-Levels, the Abitur, CAPE, CEGEP (Science Option), Italian Maturita, and Swiss Federal Maturity Certificate. For more information about the international exams transfer credit process, please visit the International Exam Credit page.  

Credit by Departmental Exam

In specific situations, Rice University awards transfer credit for approved Credit by Departmental Exam arrangements. For more information about the credit by departmental exam transfer credit process, please visit the Credit by Departmental Exam page.

Transfer/Dual Credit

The Office of the Registrar evaluates courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges or universities (or their foreign equivalent) that are appropriate to the Rice curriculum for potential transfer credit.

Admission to Rice is competitive, successful applicants generally have taken 20 or more college preparatory courses in high school, many at the college level. Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses included on a student’s high school transcript and used to satisfy high school graduation requirements, i.e. dual credit courses. Only those students who have more than 20 college preparatory courses may have the Office of the Registrar consider for Rice credit their college courses taken in high school. For more information about the transfer credit process, please visit the Transfer Credit page

Undergraduate Transfer Applicants

Students are considered transfer applicants if they have:

  • Completed a high school diploma (or an equivalent)
  • Earned at least 12 semester hours of college credit after graduating high school (with at least a 3.2 grade point average in their most recent college work)

If a student has earned 12 or more semester hours of credit since completing high school (or earning an equivalent), they must apply as a transfer. Transfer applicants must complete at least four semesters of course work (equal to 60 semester hours) as a full-time student at Rice to be eligible for a bachelor’s degree. For more information please visit Transfer Credit

Non-Traditional Students

We understand that some applicants have a non-standard high school experience or chose to postpone pursuing undergraduate education for a variety of reasons. This may include joining the military or workforce, taking a gap year(s) for religious endeavors or self-discovery, caring for personal health or family, etc. Rice welcomes all students to apply, regardless of the path taken before or after high school. For more information please visit the Special Populations page.