How To Get Into Rice University

In creating the 2023-24 freshman class, the Rice acceptance rate was an all-time low of 7.7%. They received 31,049 total applications. Recent Rice acceptance rates are as follows:

How to Get Into Rice University: Strategies and Essays That Worked

How hard is it to get into Rice University? Learn admissions requirements and acceptance rates, plus how to write successful Rice supplemental essays

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Rice University admission requirements

Part 3: Applying to Rice early decision vs. regular decision

Part 4: 2023–2024 Rice supplemental essays (examples included)

Part 1: Introduction

Your child has worked hard and excelled in high school, so now you’re exploring what colleges would be the right fit—somewhere prestigious where they’ll be both valued and challenged. You’re considering Ivy League and Ivy+ universities, but also expanding your search to other selective schools. If your child dreams of making an impact and would thrive in a close-knit, spirited community, they might be a perfect candidate for Rice University.

Founded in 1912, Rice may seem young compared to Ivies or schools in the Northeast, but its Byzantine-style architecture creates a wise, established feel to the campus. Rice is also rich in tradition—including its residential college system. Every new undergraduate student is assigned to one of eleven residential colleges. Each college has its own dorms, dining halls, shared public spaces, and revered set of customs.

The residential college system contributes to social and academic life at Rice. Each college elects its own student government officials, resulting in more potential leadership roles than you’d find at other colleges. The student leaders will arrange lecture series and innovative course opportunities for the members of their college, as well as social events and service activities.

In the classroom, Rice emphasizes research, teaching, and service in its curriculum, with practical application centered on improving the surrounding Houston community. While some colleges seem to exist in an insular “bubble,” Rice students learn to engage their city—both for cultural enrichment and for social activism.

Sometimes referred to as the “Harvard of Texas,” Rice has become more challenging to get into than some Ivy League institutions. It attracts a large number of high-achieving Texas students, as well as competitive applicants from all over the world.

Getting into Rice means accessing a world-class academic and social experience. On any given day, a Rice student might discuss the rising temperature of Earth with a Guggenheim Fellow, walk to the DiverseWorks museum for the latest innovative exhibit, grab fresh produce from the Rice Farmer’s Market, then deliver a health education program to local refugee communities.

And after Rice? The ambition and integrity instilled by four years at Rice will follow your child to any successful career field or further graduate study. Rice graduates use their leadership and analytical thinking skills to improve communities, make groundbreaking scientific advances, and become society’s greatest leaders.

Rice University ranking

• Forbes: 22
• Niche: 9
• U.S. News & World Report: 15
• Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 44

Where is Rice University located?

Rice is located in Houston, Texas—a large, metropolitan city known for being the capital of space exploration (“Houston, we have a problem”). But beyond the NASA Space Center, Houston boasts a vibrant museum district containing nineteen museums, offering a wide range of exhibits to enjoy. It might surprise you to know Houston also possesses the second-largest theater district in the country (following Broadway in New York City).

Summers in Houston tend to get humid, but with a wide selection of beaches thirty minutes away, residents can easily beat the heat—and enjoy the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. To experience a dynamic music scene and world-renowned Texas barbecue, Austin is the perfect weekend getaway, only a three-hour drive west.

For the same three-hour drive time, students can take a trip to remember Mexican-American history by exploring the Alamo in San Antonio. Or head north to Waco where they can shop and relax at Magnolia Market Silos—the perfect source of inspiration for decorating a dorm room.

Rice University setting

Rice is located on a 300-acre campus in Houston’s urban museum district directly across the street from both the Houston Zoo and the Texas Medical Center. Even though the Houston area houses over forty colleges and universities, you won’t experience the “college town feel” here. Houston is the fourth-largest city in America, and Rice sits near the heart of it.

Houston’s adult population is largely composed of millennials with young children. Because of its diversity, fair taxes, low expenses, and high salary potential, it’s becoming a popular city for professional adults.

As more professionals and young families migrate to Houston, trendy coffee shops and restaurants have followed, leaving Rice students with no shortage of places to explore, many within a short walk from campus.

Rice student population

• Undergraduate students: 4,480
• Graduate students: 4,085

In March 2021, Rice announced that it plans to gradually increase the size of its student body over the next few years. By Fall 2025, Rice aims to enroll approximately 4,800 undergraduates and 9,000 graduate students in order to meet growing demand for a Rice education.

Rice University acceptance rate

Below are admissions statistics for the class of 2026:

• Applications: 31,059
• Acceptances: 2,447
• Matriculants: 1,125
• Acceptance rate: 7.9%

Rice tuition and scholarships

The 2023–2024 cost of attendance at Rice (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $78,278.

Rice meets 100 percent of demonstrated need for all students, including those hailing from abroad. 57 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid, and the aid award for first-year students is $57,375. 77 percent of Rice students graduate debt-free.

Who gets into Rice?

We’ve compiled admissions and demographics statistics so you can assess your child’s chances of earning an acceptance from Rice. Let’s review the profile of the class of 2027:

• GPA: Rice doesn’t release the average GPA of its accepted students.
• Rice average ACT score:
  • 25th percentile: 34
  • 75th percentile: 36
  • 25th percentile: 1500
  • 75th percentile: 1560

  About 36 percent of students at Rice University study within the engineering school. The next most popular schools are natural sciences and social sciences with approximately 26 percent of students each.

  Part 2: Rice University admission requirements

  Rice academic requirements

  Although Rice doesn’t list a minimum GPA needed in order to apply, academic GPA is considered a “very important” factor in students’ admission decisions. Also listed as “very important” are factors such as extracurriculars, talents, and character—indicating an emphasis on holistic admissions.

  The students with the best chances of getting into Rice will demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to community through their high school career. Their extracurricular activities will prove they possess strong leadership skills and the ability to work well with others. Volunteer work or personal projects devoted to meeting community needs will also help students stand out as competitive applicants.

  The rigor of a student’s high school coursework is an important factor in admission consideration. So students who challenge themselves by taking AP, IB, or Honors coursework—even at the risk of getting a “B” instead of an “A”—will have stronger likelihoods of getting into Rice.

  Rice requires the following high school coursework:

  • English: 4 credits
  • Social studies: 2 credits
  • Mathematics: 3 credits
  • Laboratory science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics): 2 credits
  • Foreign language: 2 credits
  • Additional credits in any of the categories above: 3 credits

  If your child is applying to the natural sciences or engineering schools, they must complete trigonometry or precalculus, chemistry, and physics.

  Rice application requirements

  Here are Rice’s undergraduate admissions requirements:

  • Common App Essay
  • Rice supplemental essays
  • Optional in 2023–2024: SAT or ACT scores
  • Optional: SAT Subject Tests
  • Optional: AP or IB test results
  • Two teacher letters of recommendation. One should be related to your child’s planned major.
  • One counselor recommendation
  • School report, high school transcript, and midyear report.
  • Optional: Admission interview
  • If your child is applying to the school of music, an audition profile form or performance recording is required.
  • If your child is applying to the architecture school, a portfolio and additional supplemental essays are required.

  Part 3: Applying to Rice early decision vs. regular decision

  The deadline to submit an early decision application to Rice is November 1st. Students who apply early decision will be notified in mid-December if they’ve been accepted, deferred, or rejected. Deferred applicants will be reconsidered with the regular decision applicant pool and will receive a second decision of either accepted or rejected.

  To improve their chances of being later accepted, deferred applicants can submit significant new information—changes in circumstance or major accomplishments—to the Rice admissions office.

  Students who are accepted through early decision must attend Rice and withdraw their applications from all other schools. Applicants can only decline an early decision acceptance if they’re not offered a financial aid award that makes it possible for them to attend. Since Rice meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need, this situation isn’t likely.

  Chances of getting into Rice with an ED application are slightly higher than through regular decision—18.9% vs. 8.9%—but it’s still a competitive process.

  The regular decision application deadline is January 4th.

  How do you know if your child should apply to Rice early decision?

  Your child should submit an early decision application to Rice if it is their top school AND their application is strong before the November 1st deadline.

  If your child’s essays need more time or their standardized test scores need improvement to be competitive, it would be better to wait. Applying regular decision with a strong application offers a better chance of getting accepted than applying early decision with a weak one.

  Part 4: 2023–2024 Rice supplemental essays (examples included)

  In addition to the Common App personal statement, Rice University requires three supplemental essays and one image to complete its application. With so many high-achieving students applying to Rice, these essays help the admissions team identify who will be the best fit for the community and who will contribute in a meaningful way.

  Your child’s success in these essays will play a crucial role in their chances of getting into Rice. It’s important to share new information in these statements, rather than repeat an achievement discussed in the Common App Essay or elsewhere on the application. The goal of the supplemental essays is for the application reader to gain a strong understanding of who your child is and a conviction they’re needed as part of the Rice community.

  Below are the Rice supplemental essay prompts, as well as examples and breakdowns of each statement’s important components.

  Rice supplemental essay prompts

  Question 1: Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. (150 word limit.)

  This statement prompt combines “Tell us about your major” with “Why us?,” even if it’s not explicitly obvious. It would be a mistake to write only about academic goals without demonstrating knowledge of and interest in Rice specifically.

  Your child should start by doing significant research on what academic majors and programs at Rice most align with their career goals. Rice has a heavy focus on research—75 percent of undergrads participate—so your child would be wise to find and mention current research projects they would like to join.

  With such a small word count, including a powerful personal story isn’t possible, but your child has enough space to write an impactful statement containing three main components:

  • A clear answer to the prompt
  • Evidence and specifics to support the thesis
  • Thoughtful self-reflection

  Let’s meet our example student and see how he chose to respond to this prompt.

  Miguel grew up in a coastal community and has a passion for environmental conservation—specifically the ocean. He’s excelled in his high school science courses, including biology, environmental science, and marine biology. He also took a community college Philosophy course over the summer and has been involved in political activism during high school.

  Here’s what Miguel wrote:

  I plan to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice. I fear the ocean I love is disappearing, and I am committed to protecting it. Starting the Ocean Project Club to raise awareness and clean beaches was a start, but I can do more. At Rice, I hope to join the Egan Lab research project focusing on conservation genetics. I am inspired by the undergrad who tracked fish species in the ocean using environmental DNA. I hope to develop a similar project that expands our understanding of the ocean’s endangered populations. But science alone cannot save the environment—public opinion and policy need to align, too. I plan to minor in Philosophy to better understand the social problems preventing change. I want to join the Civic Duty Rice Club to educate and inspire youth to join the fight as political activists. Together we can preserve our resources and my beloved ocean.

  What did Miguel do well?

  • He is clear about his academic interests and career goals. He shows how he’s pursued his passion already in high school and outlines a research goal he’d like to accomplish as an undergrad.
  • He demonstrates his extensive knowledge of Rice’s Natural Science department, referencing a specific lab he’s interested in and a senior thesis he admires. He also names a club he’d like to join, showing he plans to be active in student life.
  • He exhibits his well-roundedness by stating his desire to minor in Philosophy. This indicates he’ll be involved in multiple academic programs at Rice.

  Question 2: Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 word limit.)

  Question 3: 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? (500 word limit.)

  Question 4: 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 racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

  How to Get Into Rice University: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

  

  Houston, Texas is home to one of the nation’s finest private research institutions—Rice University. No matter how you measure Rice’s performance, this school of roughly 4,000 undergraduates comes out shining bright. The university is consistently ranked in the top 20 among all universities and is known for its exceptional undergraduate engineering program. This well-resourced school boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and resides near the top of any list ranking quality of academic instruction and quality of campus life. Excited to apply to Rice yet? Well, welcome to the club. Today, the school received 31,000+ applications and the Rice University acceptance rate has been in the single-digits for several years. Back in 2007-08, the school received just 8,800 applicants and accepted 25%. Given this turn toward increased selectivity over the past decade, you’ll need every advantage you can get. Toward that aim, this blog will cover the following:

  • Rice University acceptance rate – Class of 2027
  • Rice University ED acceptance rate – Class of 2027
  • SAT, ACT, and class rank of accepted Rice University applicants
  • Admissions trends from the Class of 2027
  • The demographics of current undergraduates
  • Yield rate
  • How Rice University’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
  • Tips for applying to Rice University
  • Rice Essay Prompts and Tips
  • How to assess whether applying to Rice University is even worth the $75 application fee (for you)

  Where is Rice University?

  This is one famous university whose name doesn’t give away its location. Rice University is located in Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the United States. The 300-acre campus is situated near the Texas Medical Center and Houston Museum District. While it is an urban campus, students will enjoy the verdant, tree-lined nature of the space.

  Is Rice University an Ivy League School?

  While highly prestigious and selective, Rice University is not among the eight Ivy League Schools.

  Rice University Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027

  In creating the 2023-24 freshman class, the Rice acceptance rate was an all-time low of 7.7%. They received 31,049 total applications. Recent Rice acceptance rates are as follows:

  • Class of 2026: 9%
  • 2025: 9%
  • 2024: 10%

  Rice University Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027

  Those who are serious about attending Rice should definitely consider applying via binding early decision. They admitted 486 members of the Class of 2027 via ED. These individuals were selected from a pool of 2,743 applicants. This means that the Rice University ED acceptance rate is 15.2%.

  Rice University Admissions – SAT, ACT, and Class Rank

  Those enrolled in the Class of 2026 sported middle-50th standardized test scores of 1500-1560 on the SAT and 34-36 on the ACT. An astonishing 92% of Class of 2025 (most recent available) members placed in the top decile of their graduating high school class, while 97% earned a spot in the top quartile.

  Admissions Trends & Notes

  • Rice intends to enroll 1,100 students in their Class of 2027.
  • Applications to join the Class of 2028 will continue to have the option not to include test scores.
  • Rice recently introduced a business major which may have led to an uptick in applications.
  • The 7.7% acceptance rate beat out the former record-low 8.6%, set in 2022.

  Who Actually Gets Into Rice University?

  Let’s look at the demographics of the Rice University Class of 2026:

  • 36% of students are from Texas.
  • 36% of the students are from other U.S. States and Territories.
  • 14% are international students.
  • The percentage of Asian students has increased substantially in the last three years.
  • 55 students in the Class of 2026 are international students coming from China.

  As at any highly-selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you come from a less populated state like Alaska, North Dakota, or Montana, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances. Rice University does like to have a substantial percentage of students from the Lone Star State.

  Rice University Acceptance Rate (Continued)

  Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of members of the Class of 2026 was as follows (based on Federal definitions of race)

  • Asian American: 34%
  • Hispanic: 19%
  • African American: 10%
  • White: 30%
  • Multiracial: 6%

  The breakdown by gender of the Class of 2026 is an even split:

  One might think that women would enjoy an edge given the disproportionate number of men in STEM disciplines, yet the acceptance rates by gender are almost identical.

  Yield Rate

  Rice University’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted is 44%. For comparison, many other top private universities have superior yield rates such as Northwestern, Duke, and Vanderbilt University.

  How the University Rates Applicants

  There are nine factors that Rice University ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores (test-optional currently), the essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, and talent/ability. “Considered” items are: an interview, first-generation status, alumni relation (legacy), geographical residence, state residency, racial/ethnic status, volunteer work, paid work, and the level of an applicant’s interest in Rice.

  In the admissions office’s own words:

  “Rice does not view offers of admission as entitlements based on grades and test scores. Our admission process combines an examination of academic ability with a flexible assessment of an applicant’s talents, experiences, and potential, including potential diversity contributions; it precludes any quick formula for admitting a given applicant or for giving preference to one particular set of qualifications without reference to the class as a whole.”

  They also factor in the adversity one has faced in life and strive to create a class that is diverse across socioeconomic and racial lines. Further, they look “beyond indicators of academic competence” looking for “other qualities among applicants, such as creativity, motivation, artistic talent, and leadership potential.”

  Tips for Applying

  If you plan on joining the 31,000+ Owl hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

  • Rice University expects to see evidence of advanced coursework in high school. Taking multiple advanced classes, particularly within your area of academic interest is a must.
  • You must apply to one of the six academic schools on your application. Each has different admissions requirements and standards. If your application is denied, you cannot be reconsidered for a second-choice school.
  • Rice University does offer optional interviews. They do “recommend an admission interview for freshman applicants as an excellent opportunity to showcase academic and personal successes while learning more about Rice. The Admission Committee values on- and off-campus interviews equally in the admission review process.”
  • Rice University weighs “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process. Therefore, you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit (in non-pandemic times), contacted an admissions officer, etc.
  • Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Rice. In the 2022-23 cycle they were as follows:

  Rice University Acceptance Rate (Continued)

  All applicants must answer:

  1. Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. 150 word limit.
  2. Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? 150 word limit.
  3. Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System and undergraduate life are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What life perspectives would you contribute to the Rice community? 500 word limit.
  4. In keeping with Rice’s long-standing tradition (known as “The Box”), please share an image of something that appeals to you.

  For detailed advice on how to address each essay prompt, visit our blog entitled: Rice University: Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips.

  Rice University Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts

  With acceptance rates of 7-10% in recent years, Rice is a school that is looking for students that are at (or above) the 98th percentile on standardized tests and who placed toward the very top of their high school class. Applicants are expected to have earned all “A”s in an AP-heavy curriculum. If Rice University is your aim, make sure to also have a rock-solid backup plan. All students need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to get your counselor’s input during this process.

  

  Andrew Belasco

  A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew’s experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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