University
Houston, Texas, United States
Source: Rice University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Retrieved 2026-08-31
Open the official institutional sourceDocument ID: sha256:b72929bce57d146a1d07462ff524d638075ed2dc22b2727eb60b393daada1054 · Import: cds-2026-08-v7
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Engineering
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business/Commerce, General
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Chemical Engineering
Engineering
Chemistry
Physical Sciences
Civil Engineering
Engineering
Classical and Ancient Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Cognitive Science
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Data Analytics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Economics
Social Sciences
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Engineering
English Language and Literature, General
English Language and Literature/Letters
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Fine and Studio Arts
Visual and Performing Arts
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
Physical Sciences
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Health Professions and Related Programs
History
History
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Mathematics
Mathematics and Statistics
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Music
Visual and Performing Arts
Nanotechnology
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Natural Resources and Conservation
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Operations Research
Engineering
Philosophy
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Physics
Physical Sciences
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Political Science and Government
Social Sciences
Psychology, General
Psychology
Public Policy Analysis
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Religion/Religious Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Social Sciences, General
Social Sciences
Sociology
Social Sciences
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Statistics
Mathematics and Statistics
Visual and Performing Arts, General
Visual and Performing Arts
Early decision · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Early Decision I (binding).
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsFinancial aid · 2025–2026
2025-11-15 — CSS Profile and FAFSA due for Early Decision I applicants. Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2026-01-04 (CSS Profile and FAFSA due for Early Decision II applicants.); 2026-02-01 (CSS Profile and FAFSA due for Regular Decision applicants.).
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsOther · 2025–2026
2025-12-01 — Shepherd School of Music application deadline.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRegular decision · 2025–2026
2026-01-04 — Regular Decision.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsEarly decision II · 2025–2026
2026-01-04 — Early Decision II (binding).
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · First-year applicants
The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?
Limit: 500 words — Choose one of the Rice community-contribution prompts.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · First-year applicants
Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?
Limit: 150 words — Rice required supplement prompt 2.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · All first-year applicants
One of Rice's long-standing traditions is "The Box," a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them.
No length limit reported — Required two-dimensional image; no written response limit.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · All first-year applicants
One of Rice's long-standing traditions is "The Box," a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them.
No length limit reported — "The Box" requires uploading a two-dimensional image rather than written text.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · First-year applicants; choose one of two options for the third supplement essay
Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or cultural identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?
Limit: 500 words — Option two of the choose-one third prompt.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · First-year applicants; choose one of two options for the third supplement essay
The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?
Limit: 500 words — Option one of the choose-one third prompt.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · All first-year applicants
Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?
Limit: 150 words — Rice supplement 'why Rice' prompt.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRequired · All first-year applicants
Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected.
Limit: 150 words — Rice supplement academic-areas prompt.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsCounselor recommendation · Required
Value: 1
One letter from the applicant's assigned school counselor, college counselor, principal, or headmaster. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsPersonal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdfSupplemental essays · Required
Value: 3 responses; choose 1 of 2 community prompts
Rice requires two 150-word responses and one community-contribution response selected from two prompts.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsInterview · Recommended
Interviews are recommended for first-year applicants but optional and not guaranteed; all interviews for the 2025-2026 cycle are conducted virtually. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsSecondary school report · Required
Official high school/secondary school transcripts must include grades from 9th through 11th grade as well as courses being taken in the 12th grade. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsMidyear report · Required
Regular Decision applicants are required to submit mid-year grades from 12th grade, when they become available. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsEnglish proficiency · Required
Required for applicants whose native language is not English (TOEFL/IELTS/other accepted exams). See the first-year international applicants page. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-international-applicantsCSS Profile · Required
CSS Profile required (Rice school code 6609); custodial and non-custodial parents each complete their own profile. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsFAFSA · Required
FAFSA required (Rice school code 003604). Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsApplication fee · Required
Value: 75
$75 nonrefundable application fee, must be paid online.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsFee waiver · Optional
Students requesting a fee waiver should respond to the fee waiver prompts provided in the Common Application; QuestBridge participants automatically qualify.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsTeacher evaluations · Required
Value: 2
Two letters from teachers of core academic subjects; ideally one relates to the applicant's intended area of study.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsCounselor recommendation · Required
Value: 1
One letter from the applicant's assigned school counselor, college counselor, principal, or headmaster.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsPersonal essay · Required
Common Application personal essay.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsSupplemental essays · Required
Rice supplement: two required 150-word essays plus one 500-word essay chosen from two options, plus 'The Box' image. Architecture applicants submit two additional 250-word essays.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsInterview · Recommended
Interviews are recommended for first-year applicants but optional and not guaranteed; all interviews for the 2025-2026 cycle are conducted virtually.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsSecondary school report · Required
Official high school/secondary school transcripts must include grades from 9th through 11th grade as well as courses being taken in the 12th grade.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsMidyear report · Required
Regular Decision applicants are required to submit mid-year grades from 12th grade, when they become available.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsEnglish proficiency · Required
Required for applicants whose native language is not English (TOEFL/IELTS/other accepted exams). See the first-year international applicants page.
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-international-applicantsCSS Profile · Required
CSS Profile required (Rice school code 6609); custodial and non-custodial parents each complete their own profile.
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsFAFSA · Required
FAFSA required (Rice school code 003604).
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports application_platforms
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports testing_policy
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports deadlines
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports deadlines
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports requirements
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports requirements
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-international-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports requirements
https://financialaid.rice.edu/apply-aid/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports essay_prompts
https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicantsRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports description
https://desrochesinauguration.rice.edu/brief-historyRetrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports admissions_url
https://admission.rice.edu/Retrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports financial_aid_url
https://financialaid.rice.edu/Retrieved 2026-07-21
Official source
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?227757Retrieved 2026-06-10
