From Christmas in September to the legendary BakerShake festival, Baker College has its own unique brand of spirited chaos. Doc, Baker ‘29, shares the traditions and community that define Rice University’s very first Residential College.

Choosing how and when to apply to college is a major strategic decision. As a Rice graduate myself, I remember that deadline stress well! To give applicants more flexibility, the university offers two Early Decision pathways: Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Decision II (ED II). While both options are binding, they operate on different timelines to best support your journey. I'm sharing everything you need to know to choose the right track for your goals! 

For many Rice students, education extends deep into the heart of Houston. Derek, Hanszen ‘29, reflects on how Civic Immersion week shaped his Rice journey before classes even began, ultimately transforming him from a first-year participant into a student Site Leader.

Swapping barbed wire fences for the busy streets of Houston wasn't just a change of scenery for Abby, McMurtry ‘28 — it was a complete reinvention. If you're standing on the edge of a massive life change, her advice is simple: do it scared.

My name is Olivia, Chao ‘27. I am currently a junior at Brown College, but in the fall, I’ll transfer to the new residential college, Chao College, where I’ll serve as Chief Justice (CJ). I'm studying health science, biosciences, French and medical humanities. This is what a week in my life looks like!

After years of avoiding athletics, Helena, Brown ‘28, found a judgment-free, positive community at Brown College. Discover her transformation from self-proclaimed orchestra kid to bike captain!

Moving from Hawai’i to Houston, Tamara, Martel ‘29, expected a world of difference. What she didn’t expect, however, was the wealth of opportunities to make a difference through local volunteering and the Alternative Spring Break Program — all thanks to the community she found beyond the hedges.

When Ian, McMurtry ‘26, first arrived at Rice, he knew he was interested in policy and law school, yet he wasn’t quite sure what that pathway would look like in practice. What he didn’t expect was how Rice would allow him to bridge these two fields in so many ways — both inside the hedges and beyond.

From unlucky dice rolls to a $400 startup grant, Jonathan, Will Rice ‘26, shares how a passion for board games transformed his journey at Will Rice College — proving that at Rice, quirky hobbies can lead to BIG impacts.

Laylee, Sid Rich ‘29, shares how she used Rice’s flexible distribution system to move beyond the "typical" pre-med experience. Discover how she bridged the gap between rigorous STEM coursework and the human side of healthcare through medical humanities and language studies.

Maha, a PhD student in the Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction program, came to Rice looking for a way to bridge different fields of study and found a community along the way. Here’s how becoming president of the student chapter of the Rice Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) turned an educational journey into a shared mission.

Finding the perfect place to "lock in" is a rite of passage for every Rice Owl. After a year of exploring inside the hedges, Nina, Brown ‘29, shares her definitive guide to the best study spots at Brown and on campus.