Frequently Asked Questions About Admission

1. Are my chances better if I apply for Early Decision?
2. Does Rice have a wait list?
3. Do I need to apply to one of the six specific academic divisions? Can I change my mind?
4. What do I need to do if I am interested in applying to the Shepherd School of Music?
5. What do I need to do if I am interested in applying to the School of Architecture?
6. Is an interview required for freshman applicants?
7. May I submit supplemental materials with my application?
8. How can I find out about disability accommodations at Rice?
9. Please explain the need-based financial aid application process.
10. Does Rice offer merit or nonneed based scholarships?
11. Do students live on campus?
12. Can students have cars on campus?

1. Are my chances better if I apply early decision?
Historically, students who apply to Rice under the Early Decision plan are accepted at a higher rate than our overall rate of admission. Our acceptance rates vary year to year depending on the number of applicants and the strength of the pool. In 2005, we admitted 32 percent of applicants under Early Decision and filled about 22 percent of our freshman class with students from Early Decision. We do not have a quota for any of our decision plans, so the applicant’s strengths and quality of application is more important than the choice of decision plan. Remember that the advantage you may receive by applying early should never be the most important factor in whether you decide to apply Early Decision to a college or university. The most important consideration must always be whether the university is your absolute top choice and you are ready to make a commitment to enroll.

2. Does Rice have a wait list?
Yes, we do. This list is reserved for students in whom the admission committee is very interested. A Rice offer of wait list is one of the decision responses students may receive by April 1. A student must respond to the offer in order to be placed on the wait list. Our wait list is not ranked; all students on the list are considered for any openings.

3. Do I need to apply to one of the six specific academic divisions? Can I change my mind?
Yes, in your application to Rice you must specify which one of our six academic divisions is your primary division of interest. The six divisions are architecture, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, or social sciences. Although this is not a binding choice, the decision should not be made lightly. We are looking for a thoughtful response to this question. Our academic divisions are looking for different strengths and qualities in applicants, so you will need to choose the division in which you feel the most confident of your abilities and interest. If your application is denied, you cannot be reconsidered under a different division.

Yes, if admitted to Rice, you can change your mind as to your division of study. Enrolled students do not declare a major until the end of sophomore year. And you may change your major or division at any time. In fact, many students double major across academic divisions and still graduate in four years. The exception to the rule is music and architecture–you must be admitted to the music or architecture divisions either as an entering student or as a current Rice student who applies and is accepted for the major.

4. What do I need to do if I am interested in applying to the Shepherd School of Music?
Although the application process for all six of our undergraduate divisions is the same, applicants to the Shepherd School of Music will also need to schedule an audition. Auditions are held during the winter and spring at the Shepherd School on the Rice campus. For details, review the Shepherd School of Music website.

5. What do I need to do if I am interested in applying to the School of Architecture?
A portfolio of creative work is required for all applicants to the School of Architecture. Portfolios should be emailed to the Admission Office at riceapps@rice.edu. The portfolio should demonstrate creative potential and is not expected to be architectural in focus nor professional in quality. It may include examples of sketches, paintings, photography, models, etc. Examples of mechanical or computer drafting are strongly discouraged. The Architecture School does not accept CDs or DVDs.

Portfolio specifications:

• PowerPoint file labeled with applicant name (example: JohnDoe.ppt)
• 10 MB maximum file size
• 10 slides maximum (more than one image per slide acceptable)
• Image files must be JPG, JPEG, or GIF
• No image should exceed 1024 x 768 pixel resolution and 96 dots per inch
• No sound or animation permitted

 In addition, an interview with a faculty member in the School of Architecture is highly recommended. Completion of this interview satisfies all admission interview criteria; no additional interview is recommended.

Students who plan to visit should contact the School of Architecture directly. To schedule an interview, contact
Rice University, School of Architecture-MS 50
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
telephone: 713-348-4864
email: arch@rice.edu.

6. Is an interview required for freshman applicants?
Although an interview is not required, we recommend an admission interview for all freshman applicants as an excellent opportunity to discuss concerns and interests and to find out more about Rice. The admission committee makes no distinction between on- and off-campus interviews. You can find more information about our admission interviews on our website.

7. May I submit supplemental materials with my application?
You may augment your application with additional materials if you wish, but we ask you to be selective in what you include. Think about adding to the quality, not the quantity, of your application. You are welcome to submit additional class work, lab work, slides, newspaper articles, etc. Please note that supplemental materials should fit an 8½" x 11" format and will not be returned.

8. How can I find out about disability accommodations at Rice?
The Disability Support Services office can answer questions about campus accessibility, adaptive equipment available on campus, and accommodation services. You can contact the office at 713-348-5841.

9. Please explain the need-based financial aid application process.
There are three parts to the financial aid application.

1. Complete the CSS/PROFILE, available on the CollegeBoard website.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and return it to the Department of Education.
3. Submit both student and parent IRS tax forms and W-2 forms, or a statement from the IRS that these forms will not be filed.

Rice will then review those forms and will figure an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for you. If your EFC is less than the combined tuition and room and board expenses at Rice, then Rice will put together a financial aid package to meet 100 percent of that difference, known as demonstrated need. More details are available in the Costs and Financial Aid section of our website.

Please note: International applicants who are not U.S. citizens or documented permanent residents must supply documentation of sufficient financial support for the first year of study at Rice.

10. Does Rice offer merit or nonneed based scholarships?
Yes, we have a small number of nonneed based merit scholarships. There is no separate application to be considered for these scholarships; the scholarship committee considers all admitted students for our scholarships on the basis of the student’s application for admission. Other merit scholarships include athletic and Navy ROTC scholarships. More information about merit scholarships at Rice can be found on our website.

Note that all international freshman applicants who are admitted will also be considered for merit awards based on academic and individual excellence.

11. Do students live on campus?
Rice has a unique system of student life on campus, largely structured by the residential college system. Rice's residential colleges serve not only as residence halls but also as primary centers for dining, studying, extracurricular activities, networking, and developing leadership skills. Entering students are randomly assigned to one of nine colleges and remain a member throughout their time at Rice, thus uniting diverse academic interests, extracurricular talents, and life experiences. In the Oxonian tradition, each college has a group of faculty, staff, and alumni associates who eat meals with students, provide academic advising, and become friends and mentors. The colleges are independent, egalitarian institutions, with their own government, traditions, rivalries, customs, and lifetime affiliation. You are therefore a member of your residential college whether you choose to live in the college or not. About 71 percent of Rice undergraduates live on campus at their residential college. Most students will live on-campus for three of their four years at Rice.

12. Can students have cars on campus?
Yes. While many of our freshmen do not initially bring cars to campus, and most students do not need a car, usually about 50 percent of our upperclassmen have cars. Autos must be registered, and there is a parking fee, but there is ample parking space in our stadium parking lot. Information on registration and parking fees is available from the Rice University Police Department.