- Medium-sized private research intensive
- Around 4,000 undergraduates
- Around 12% international
- Very diverse, supportive and collaborative student body – 50% out of state
- 93% graduation rate in 4 years
- 6.1 students to faculty ratio
Location
- Houston is the 4th largest city in the USA and growing
- 145+ languages spoken
- 6 million residents
- Big city, but secluded campus experience – in a huge city but feels quiet, safe and distinct from the main city (15 minutes from downtown). No transport needed to get to classes.
- Stunning 300 acre campus with walkways shaded by hundreds of trees.
- Walkable end-to-end in 20 minutes
- Houston weather is hot and humid
- Rice Farmers Market every Tuesday is very popular
- 10 minutes walk to the Houston museum district – 20 museums and students get free entry
- Rice Village is also walking distance for shopping, dining and entertainment
- Big cycling culture on campus
- 3-mile shaded loop for runners and walkers
- Public art scattered throughout the campus
- Texas Medical Centre – the world’s largest medical centre is just across the road
- Buffalo Bayou – 15 miles of hiking and biking trails in the heart of the city
- Great internship opportunities – particularly in energy, finance, sports management.
Academic
- 50 majors and 23 minors
- Six schools of study: architecture, music, engineering, humanities, natural science and social science
- Business can be taken as a minor through the Jones Graduate School of Business
- Top ranked programmes include Engineering, Music and Architecture, and Economics, Psychology and Biomedical Sciences are also very popular
- Major choice is pretty flexible and students are not bound to the area listed on their application form. Students can change into any subject, apart from music and architecture which are talent-based, direct admit programmes
- Students declare at the end of their sophomore year, but there is still the possibility to swap after this and graduate in 4 years
- Around 20% double major
- Pre-law/medicine – no majors, but can be added to a major a student is studying and students will be paired with a specific advisor. Pre-med is very popular at Rice as the university is located across the road from the world’s largest medical centre
- No core curriculum, but flexible distribution requirements: 3 Humanities courses, 3 Applied Science courses, 3 Social Science courses, and 1 Writing course – to be completed by graduation
- Students can take a range of one credit hour long student classes – pass/fail
- Several unique programmes – Medical Humanities: questions of medical ethics, underlying human issues in healthcare, goes beyond the technical science skills / Sports Management: the only major that requires an internship (big name companies in Houston), great faculty, can do a concentration in Sports Law or Sports Leadership
- Architecture is a direct admit programme – a portfolio is required. 6 years including a one year internship with a firm anywhere in the world during year 5.
- Many opportunities for experiential learning and Rice is a top-tier research institution with 45+ research centres and institutes
- Student to faculty ratio is only 6:1 – small classes, plenty of mentoring
- Two thirds of students will conduct research while at university – opportunities from the first semester of the freshman year and involvement is encouraged by the faculty
- 90% internship while at Rice – 17,000 Rice alumni in the Houston area
- Centre for Career Development supports students through resume building, mock interviews and job events.
- 150 study abroad programs in 60+ countries – available to any student doing any major, including engineering and pre-med. 30% do study abroad
- Rice has a very supportive community and there are many opportunities to engage with faculty/academic advisors and peer advisors or Academic Fellows (peer-led tutoring system). Students are known to be very supportive of each other.
- Rice has one of the highest graduation rates in the NCAA – student athletes really value their academic endeavours and ensure that they are performing well in both. Athletes are also divided amongst the residential colleges
Application
- Apply using Coalition or Common App
- Early Decision = November 1st
- Regular Decision = January 4th
- $75 application fee
- SAT/ACT is optional. Mid 50% SAT 1470-1560 / Mid 50% ACT 33-35
- Documents required: official high school transcript, one counsellor reference, two teacher references, evidence of English proficiency, International Student Financial Statement/or proof of funds, supplemental essays – 3 prompts, ‘The Box’ – share an image
- (optional) interview
- Looking for intellectual vitality through course selection and grade performance – advised to take rigorous coursework
- Each application is read by two different people
- In the holistic review process and consideration for merit awards the following are considered: curiosity and passion for learning, community engagement and contribution, broad perspectives and points of view, desire for growth, range of talents.
- Demonstrated interest is considered – visit campus, attend online webinars and tours, show through your application that you have done your research – Why Rice?
Finances
- Need aware for international students – financial need will be considered in the admission decision
- International students who receive need-based aid will receive 100% of demonstrated need – but this is for a limited number of students.
- If students wish to apply for aid, they must complete the International Student Financial Statement – and CSS Profile.
- If not applying for aid, international applicants must provide evidence of having sufficient resources to cover the costs of the first year before the application will be considered.
- Students who do not apply for aid during admission cannot apply later.
- Total Cost of Attendance 2022/23: $74,110 – tuition = $54,100
- Students will also be billed $325 for the Orientation Week fee + $450 if they wish room and board during this week
- All students are automatically considered for merit aid – no separate application.
Accommodation
- 11 residential colleges – around 400 students in each
- No Greek life or traditional residential dorms
- Students are randomly placed in their college and stay a member for their full 4 years – each college is designed to represent a microcosm of the larger university
- Lots of college pride and the traditions/competitions are a big part of student life
- Over 90% of freshmen live on campus – housing guaranteed for 1st year freshmen and transfer students
- Then about 75% live on campus – most spend their senior year in their residential college and then there is a lottery system for sophomores and juniors
Activities
- 280+ student clubs
- Many student-run businesses – including the Rice Coffee House, a hub of social activity.
- 14 NCAA Div 1 teams – Rice ‘Owls’
- Free home games for students
- O-Week – orientation week is very extensive and a big part of the Rice experience
Other
- Rice is top ranked in the Princeton Review for Quality of Life. In 2022 = No. 4
- Very diverse undergraduate population so students have many opportunities to learn about other cultures
- Wellbeing Centre offers free therapy and virtual appointments
- Rice Health Advisors – peers trained in areas of wellbeing
- Office for International Students and Scholars supports those from overseas
International freshmen come a few days early for additional orientation – jobs, visas, banking, US culture and so on. - The Office of Student Success Initiatives supports students from diverse backgrounds, including low income, and 1st generation students
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