Top Questions to Ask an Admission Counselor:

What should I know about Rice that I can’t easily find online?

This is a great question to ask because it goes beyond standard web research. Every admission officer can offer a unique perspective on this and will share unexpected details. 

What’s your favorite thing about Rice?

Every admission officer will have a different answer, but this question is a good one to ask because it can potentially help you build an authentic picture of the university from the folks who know it best.

What’s one thing you would change about Rice?

No university is perfect! Understanding what people would improve if given the opportunity helps determine if the campus culture aligns with what you want.

What is the best part about the Residential College system?

This question shows you’ve done some baseline research but want to go beyond the website. It’s another great subjective question that can yield diverse insights.

What is it like for [first generation, specific racial/ethnic/religious background, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+] students at Rice? 

This is a question I recommend asking if you identify with a certain background and wish to understand how that specific population is represented and supported on our campus.

What is your favorite memory at Rice?

Ask any of our admission officers this to get a feel for student life here. Tip: all of our Rice alumni admission officers have their graduation date on their nametags!

Why did you choose what you studied?

Ask any admission officer this if you're torn on a major, but alumni may provide the best insight.

What are some of the opportunities for freshmen at Rice?

This question highlights newer Rice possibilities and offers insight on making the most of your time in college.

Describe Rice in a few words.

Ideal for college fairs or quick chats, this question draws out diverse perspectives on the university.

What does it feel like to be on Rice’s campus?

This question gets to the intangibles of campus culture that you can’t find on an admission page or general presentation.

General Advice from the Rice Admission Team: 

• Do some basic research before reaching out. Asking us to just "tell me about your school” is not the best conversation starter. Show us that you’ve done some homework on your own so we can skip the basics and focus on higher-value questions to maximize time.
• Aim for specific, but not hyper-specific questions. As much as we’d like to be, admission officers aren't experts on each of Rice’s 50+ majors and 25+ minors, nor can we track every individual lab and research opportunity — these change constantly. We can definitely share information about campus resources, but we recommend asking about broader schools of study or general undergraduate research options.

Good luck on your college search! I hope this helps you on your college application journey, and I look forward to meeting you — whether on campus or in your hometown!

-Virginia Gonzalez, Admission Counselor at Rice University ‘22 (Published on 9/9/26)