LIFE AT RICE

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The Multifaceted Rice Experience

We not only celebrate, but actively seek out distinct perspectives across our student body as a central and meaningful part of the Rice experience. We believe that a broad spectrum of educational experiences can only increase the intellectual vitality of education, scholarship, service and student life at Rice.

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Commitment to Access and Institutional Excellence

At Rice, we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where all members of our community can thrive. Collaboration, respect and academic excellence are foundational values of the university that we believe are essential to our continued success.

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Rice's Uniquely Accepting Community

We put our community first — with support on campus and beyond, with pride in our students and their talents and with kindness and respect for each other. See how Rice’s uniquely accepting culture touches students across campus and affects them long after they leave.

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HOW WE BUILD ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE STUDENT BODIES IN THE NATION

With the goal of enrolling the most talented students from across the country and around the world, we take a holistic, team-based approach to reviewing applications.

Holistic Evaluation

Through our holistic review, we ensure each application is reviewed in context of a student's academic background as well as their personal life experience. We value the breadth of socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, educational and other perspectives that each student brings to the table.

Expanding Access

We have fly-in programs, such as SOAR and VISION, to ensure prospective students can participate in our fall and spring open house programs. And our Owl Arrive initiative helps selected incoming first-year students feel at home in their residential college room with bedding and supplies.

Partnerships

Rice aims to expand access and affordability for students from all backgrounds and income levels. We also frequently collaborate with community-based organizations to ensure we are reaching students where they are.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

At Rice, we are constantly working toward making higher education more affordable, which is why we've dramatically expanded financial aid through The Rice Investment and our array of scholarships. We believe talent deserves opportunity. And we're willing to invest in that belief.

QuestBridge

Rice University became a founding member of the QuestBridge partnership in 2004. Since then, Rice has enrolled hundreds of QuestBridge scholars and many of them have been a part of the College Match process. In addition, the QuestBridge Scholars Network has a very active chapter on campus and is recognized as an official student organization.

Multicultural Life

With a variety of cultural groups to choose from, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to get involved and find their communities with the help of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Rice’s varied academic and social atmosphere encourages students to be as involved in campus life as they choose.

CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY

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Newly created Owl Access program welcomes Rice students

Juneteenth at Rice

Rice Pride 2024

50 years of HACER

2024 Paralympian Ahalya Lettenberger

A HUB OF CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES

We consider Houston an essential part of the education we offer to students as an urban university. With more than 145 languages spoken here in the fourth largest city, Rice places students directly in the center of one of the most diverse, culturally rich cities in America.

145 Different Languages are Spoken

We're an international city, and that's reflected in the people who call Houston home. In any area of Houston, you may hear unique vernaculars from across the world.

Top 20 U.S. Cities with Largest Variety of Cuisines

Top 20 U.S. Cities with Largest Variety of Cuisines

Houston's restaurant scene is made up of over 13,000 restaurants representing cuisine from more than 70 countries and American regions.

One of the largest Pride celebrations in the country

One of the largest Pride celebrations in the country

Everything is bigger in Texas - and our Pride celebration is just one example of that. No matter where you turn, you'll find that Rice's uniquely accepting culture means you'll always have somewhere you belong.

DEMONSTRATING OUR COMMITMENT

The Rice commitment to creating a welcoming environment represents a way of thinking, seeing, and behaving that demonstrates an understanding and respect for a variety of backgrounds.