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See what students say:

Academics

A private research university in Houston, Rice University offers a top-notch “level of prestige,” that, when combined with a similar “level of support provided by the university” and the “support of the residential college system,” makes for “an ideal environment.” In addition to being a “premier research university,” Rice is an “amazing place for students because of how much professors care about teaching undergraduates.” Professors, who are “easily accessible outside the classroom” and “experts in their specific fields,” introduce students to “a number of perspectives” and “push [students] to think [more deeply] about [the] world.” The “pre-med program offers a large number of opportunities,” and “is known for its strong biochemistry and medical research,” aided by its “proximity to the Texas Medical Center.” Rice is also known for its “prestigious architecture program.” Overall, students praise the “strong curriculum” offered with “flexibility” that makes it “easy to add/ drop/change majors and minors while still graduating on time.” The college is flush with resources, but if a need arises, students are empowered to take “leadership roles” and maintain “direct contact with the administration.” good job placement rates, lots of academic planning and job preparation, many job/research/fellowship opportunities. Small class sizes foster a deep relationship with professors in every department. One grateful student says, “I have personally benefited from close working relationships with most of my professors in my major department, beginning in my freshman year.” The opportunities this affords for research and collaboration cannot be understated, and the funding for students in the humanities tends to be particularly good: small numbers of students in these areas makes each department more willing to spend a greater proportion on individual students.

Student Body

Rice has been said to have “the happiest students in the United States” and “a high quality of life.” Students count that as a major impressing factor on their decision to enroll: “I wanted my college years to be both happy and successful,” one student says, “and I found no other schools that were as prestigious, but also dedicated to ensuring the happiness of the student body.” Students describe their peers as “enthusiastic,” “helpful,” “politically liberal,” and highly involved in “civic engagement” in the form of voter registration efforts, campaigning for local leaders, and so on. The emphasis is on collaboration: students are “incredibly supportive and encouraging” and “truly care about each other’s intellectual and emotional growth,” which helps Rice “foster positivity” and “inclusivity,” “especially helpful” in an academically rigorous environment. There is “never any competition.” “When people told me that the school was collaborative,” one student says, “I never imagined that…Seniors would stay up late just to help me with things I’ve been struggling with, even when they have their own work to do.” Rice has a “culture of care,” another student reports.

Campus Life

Students are attracted to Rice’s location, in the “unique and vibrant city of Houston.” The innovative “residential college system is “truly special” because of its “ability to supply students with an immediate family after stepping foot onto campus.” Before matriculating, each of the university’s undergraduates “becomes a member of one of eleven residential colleges, which have their own dining halls, public rooms, and dorms on campus.” Each student is “randomly assigned to one of the colleges, and maintains membership in the same college throughout their undergraduate years,” and each college is assigned a “faculty magister,” who “lives in an adjacent house.” Rice students are “spoiled with opportunities [for] fun,” but students “are concerned first and foremost with their academics, and prioritize that over anything else.” That being said, “all welcome distractions from the daily routine.” “On any given night of the week there is… some kind of event” and “crawls and parties tend to be quite frequent starting Thursday night through the weekend.” Students also “support their Owls in whatever athletic contests are going on,” visit the “museum district, which is close by,” or “hang out in the commons of their residential colleges after class doing homework.”

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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).
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Admissions

Applicants: 20,923
Acceptance Rate: 11%






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