About

See what students say:

Academics

According to students, Rice University's greatest strengths "are its academic integrity and quality." That's borne out in the way that science labs "are generally taught with a genuinely unknown problem being presented at the beginning of the semester and students being trained in the methods to explore that problem." Or it's shown by how the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen "really supports projects and prototyping...as an undergraduate I've learned to design through hands-on, project-based classes." The collaborative spirit is alive and well in offerings like the Academic Fellows Program, which offers free tutoring sessions for and by students. There's also an outside-the-box thinking when it comes to assessments, like "the option to make a 30 minute scientific podcast instead of taking the final," explains one sophomore. This isn't unusual for first-years either; one notes that "instead of doing a bunch of writing and essays, I was tasked with creating...a TED Talk, which really lit a creative flame in me." Outside the classroom, "immersive internships" at places like NASA, State Farm, and Exxon are made possible by Rice's prime location in Houston, Texas.

One of the major drivers of that success, according to students, is the accessibility of the faculty on campus. "Professors will host talks outside of class" and "can also be found eating among students." One student enjoys going to German Table, "a meal held on Mondays by the German department for German speakers. It's a place for people to have natural conversations in German." Another, studying Jewish Immigration, is excited that they will be "traveling to New York City over spring break to interact directly with historical sites." Overall, professors are well-respected for "offering extra office hours, giving extensions on assignments, or just being someone to talk to."

Student Body

Rice students are a multifaceted bunch: "Everyone has their interest in their major, of course, but there's no person not involved in something else too. I know a guy majoring in math who wants to write poetry. My roommate studies civil engineering but does South Asian dance." Another third-year student agrees, saying, "People are highly motivated in different ways, some in arts, others in engineering, and others in athletics; however, all of them interact with each other and share their passions."Many students appreciate that the "student body is very diverse," and the campus maintains "a large sense of community on all levels, whether it is in the residential colleges, the classroom or on campus in general." Students enjoy that the "typical Rice student is academically focused, but is willing to have a good time." Perhaps most importantly, "We all take pride in our 'Culture of Care,' in which we all take care of each other mentally, academically, and socially."

Campus Life

Undergrads praise Rice for doing "an amazing job of assimilating students," noting that a convivial vibe is generated by the way in which students are sorted into one of 11 colleges, in short, creating "a new home, a new family, and a brand-new experience that everyone should enjoy." One sophomore feels "so grateful to have a community of people that unconditionally support my academic and personal success." The school's "emphasis on community" is further developed through the active club scene, with figure skating, crochet, K-pop dance, and even a rocket-building group listed as favorite activities. Additionally, residential advisors and college magisters "act as a support system. Students can reach out to them for academic advice, career advice, life advice, or even recommendations for fun things to do around Houston." Not that it's particularly difficult to find things on-campus: students so often "picnic in the Central Quad" or hang out in residential areas that they happily self-describe themselves as "within the hedges." Rice also hosts campus-wide parties, as well as Beer Bike, a "combination intramural bicycle race and drinking competition." As one third-year student puts it, "People work on the weekdays and during the day on weekends, and then on Friday and Saturday everyone does something fun, whether partying or spending time with friends."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Office of Admission

Address
Office of Admission
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005

Phone
713-348-7423


Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Rice Memorial Center
Baker Institute for Public Policy
Brochstein Pavilion (cafe)
Shepherd School of Music
Reckling Park - baseball stadium

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Museum of Fine Arts
Downtown Theater District
Rothko Chapel at the Menil Collection
Cockrell Butterfly Centre at the Museum of Natural History
NASA Space Center

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Mon-Fri (all yr); Sat (Fall and Spring Semester only)
M-F 8:30am-5pm; Sat 9am-noon
713-348-7423

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
varies

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Limitations
High school seniors only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Houston's Hobby Airport is a 30-minute (non-rush hour) drive from campus. Houston's Intercontinental Airport is a 45-minute (non-rush hour) drive from campus. Taxis, shuttles, and rental cars are available at both airports. The shuttle services pick up passengers at the baggage claim areas and deliver to hotels and other locations near campus. From there, take a taxi to campus. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses also serve Houston. The bus terminal on Main St. is a short distance from campus; taxis are available at the terminal for the ride to campus.

Driving Instructions to Campus
Take I-10, I-45, or I-610 to U.S. Rte. 59 (the Southwest Freeway). Take U.S. 59 into the city to the Shepherd-Greenbriar/Rice University exit. At Greenbriar, head south to Rice Blvd. Turn left on Rice and continue to Main St. Turn right on Main St. and make an immediate right turn into the main campus gate. Lovett Hall (location of the admissions office) is at the end of the entrance driveway; visitor parking is available in front of Lovett Hall.

Local Accommodations
Within 5 miles: Houston Marriott (at Medical Center, 6580 Fannin St. 713-796-0080); La Colombe d'Or (3410 Montrose Blvd. 713-524-7999 expensive); Crowne Plaza Medical Center (6701 S. Main St. 713-797-1110); Hotel Zaza (5701 S. Main St. 713.526.1991); Houston Plaza Hilton (6633 Travis Street, 713-313-4000); the Best Western Plaza Hotel and Suites - Medical Center (6700 Main Street, 713-522-2811); and the Holiday Inn-Medical Ctr (6800 Main Street, 713-528-7744).

Admissions

Applicants: 31,059
Acceptance Rate: 8%






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