Rice is full of amazing students who come from a diverse set of backgrounds and interests, and we are so excited for you to meet some of them! Our owl guides are passionate about sharing their Rice experience and eager to show you a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Rice Owl.
Abby '26
Lebanon, Ohio
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience has been having the chance to advise the new students and welcome them to the university. I loved preparing for the students to come, moving them in, and supporting them throughout O-Week and beyond. I have loved the chance to make new students feel welcomed and loved!Interests: MUSIC, RELIGION, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Abhishek '27
The Woodlands, Texas
Residential College: Brown
What is your favorite Rice experience?
One unique experience I had as an undergraduate was planning and running Dhamaka, SAS’s and Rice’s largest cultural event. Throughout the fall semester leading up to Dhamaka, I worked alongside the rest of the board and gained experiences that not only taught me, but quickly integrated me into the ins and outs of leadership at Rice. As well, I was able to connect with the South Asian community and meet many people I have not met otherwise. On the final culmination of a semester’s work, watching the hundreds of people fill up the Grand Hall, groups perform, and dancing my own choreography made me proud of who I was at Rice and the community I could share it with. Having all my friends come, both South Asian and not, allowed me to showcase my culture and what makes me who I am today.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Abigail '26
Clinton, Mississippi
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love being asked what my favorite part of Rice is because I love talking about the traditions and community of the residential college system.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, MUSIC, RELIGION
Akul '29
Dallas, Texas
Residential College: Wiess
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice for its Open Curriculum. In my opinion, it offers the perfect balance of academic freedom with taking classes across disciplines and schools, while also offering amazing career and 4-year plan supportInterests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL
Aleena '29
Houston, Texas
Residential College: Brown
What is your favorite Rice experience?
I loved Dhamaka, which was Rice's South Asian cultural showcase! I performed with Rice Riyaaz, Rice's South Asian fusion dance team, and had the opportunity to watch other dance teams, acapella groups, and individual performers take the stage. The food was also delicious! The dance practices leading up to it and the celebration afterwards were also super fun experiences.Interests: CULTURE, RELIGION, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Alvina '29
Sugar Land, Texas
Residential College: Hanszen
What is your favorite Rice experience?
O-Week was genuinely unforgettable! Hanszenites were screaming my name when I arrived, and my family is like my built-in friend group. The entire O-Week experience, from the late-night activities to jam-packed days filled with activities, was the best way to start my four years at Rice!Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RELIGION, RESEARCH
Andria '29
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Residential College: Duncan
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because the architecture program supports my academic goals and Rice has the most welcoming and caring student community!Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Anirudh '26
Austin, Texas
Residential College: Wiess
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
"What are ways you have gotten involved on campus?"
I like this question because I have gotten involved in many different ways at Rice. In addition to being involved in student government (I was the freshmen rep at Wiess and am now head treasurer), and holding an on-campus job (in the OIT), I am also a member of numerous clubs (Rice South Asian Society and Rice Business Society). I think there are ample opportunities at Rice to get involved in something that interests the student."Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Annie '29
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Residential College: Sid Richardson
Why did you choose Rice?
Hong Kong has a very similar climate to Houston (hot and humid), so Rice feels just like home!Interests: CULTURE, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Antonio '29
Adelanto, California
Residential College: Lovett / Chao
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of its stellar humanities program. People often talk about Rice as a STEM school, but that reputation completely overshadows the university’s immensely rigorous, personal, and intellectually rich humanities courses. Every class is taught with real dedication and care, and every professor brings such intention to the experience that the humanities at Rice have become one of the strongest selling points of the university for me.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, MUSIC, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Aoife '27
Tampa, Florida
Residential College: Wiess
What is your favorite Rice experience?
O-Week has been my favorite Rice experience. I have never so quickly been inculcated into a culture, and felt like I had a home. Additionally, it was one of the best weeks of my life, which included many experiences including playing broom-ball late at night in the Galleria or capping off the week with a water fight.Interests: ATHLETICS, CULTURE, RELIGION, RESEARCH
Aria '27
Knightdale, North Carolina
Residential College: Wiess
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because it seamlessly blended academic excellence with a vibrant social atmosphere. The allure of receiving a rigorous education was matched only by the promise of engaging in a community that constantly challenged and inspired me. As I set foot on campus for the first time, I was captivated by the palpable energy and the diverse array of individuals who I knew would shape my experience over the next four years. In choosing Rice, I felt drawn to a place where every interaction, every conversation, felt like an opportunity for growth and connection.Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Ava '26
Nashville, Tennessee
Residential College: Hanszen
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love being asked about how Rice's size has affected my experience. Because Rice has multiple layers of nested communities, you can make it as big or as small of a community as you want. Rice gives you small families like your O-week group and clubs, but also larger communities to be a part of like your residential college and North/South college culture. Rice gives you all the tools to build the university experience you're looking for, all you have to do is seize it.Interests: ARTS, RESEARCH
Azahir '27
Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
Residential College: McMurtry
Why did you choose Rice?
The liberty when it comes to choosing your studies is unrivaled here. Having the opportunity to explore all kinds of fields and disciplines while still pursuing your main course makes Rice a great place for those who just want to know everything there is to know about the world around us. I chose Rice because I knew I’d want to explore as many fields as possible while also firmly pursuing my primary degree.Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Bela '26
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Residential College: Duncan
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because I could tell that there was an incredible family dynamic throughout the campus! Rice truly cultivates a strong and diverse community, especially through the residential college system, which was a huge draw for me. The campus culture in general is very supportive and uplifting, which was something that really stood out to me. I loved how each college has its own unique culture and traditions and allows you to connect with other students from different backgrounds, interests, and experiences.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Bess '27
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Residential College: Lovett
What is your favorite Rice experience?
One of my favorite Rice experiences was celebrating my birthday during O-Week. From the moment I sat down for breakfast, I was greeted with countless happy birthday wishes from students and advisors I had only talked to once or twice. They knew my name and face after I had only been on campus for a few days! My O-Week family later surprised me with a gift (a jar of peanut butter - my favorite food), cupcakes, and a card with heartfelt messages from each family member. In typical O-Week fashion, the rest of my day was filled with more water guns, shaving cream, and unicorns than I ever would have expected, and I would not have wanted it any other way! It was the perfect introduction to Rice’s culture.Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION
Brian '27
Maywood, New Jersey
Residential College: McMurtry
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
My favorite question to be asked is "What is your favorite thing about your residential college" because I could talk about McMurtry forever. It's amazing how easy it is to identify with your residential college simply because you were placed into it and the sense community that results from that. I love feeling like I have a home base on campus that is bigger than my dorm room.Interests: ATHLETICS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Caitlin '26
Arlington, Texas
Residential College: Wiess
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because I loved the small size, the campus is beautiful, the residential college system is so fun and inclusive, and people here seemed happy and friendly (and are!). I enjoy being connected and busy and love getting hype, so cheering for Team Family Wiess and always having a fun event to attend makes college life that much more interesting.Interests: ATHLETICS, RELIGION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
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Caleb '29
Atlanta, Georgia
Residential College: Hanszen
What is your favorite Rice experience?
One of my favorite Rice experiences so far has been the BASYK K-pop dance workshops! I had no experience with dance before coming to Rice but the instructors and other dancers were very enthusiastic with helping me learn the various steps of each dance. I was enabled to go past my comfort zone in a way that was vulnerable yet fun, and at the end, I was able to perform the dances in front of some of my old and new friends.Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
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Carmina '28
Houston, Texas
Residential College: McMurtry
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of its excellent academic reputation and quirky culture. Rice offers so many opportunities, whether academic, professional, or leadership, but it’s also really special in its weird traditions and residential college system. Rice really feels like a home, not just a very good university!Interests: RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Carmine '27
Dededo, Guam
Residential College: McMurtry
What is your favorite Rice experience?
There’s so many to choose from, but I would have to say my residential college’s tradition of McScottish Week. Throughout the week the entire college comes together to celebrate McMurtry’s Scottish heritage with a variety of activities from kilt making, archery games, steinholding and, my favorite tradition, Scottish dancing. I remember the brief glimpse I received during my O-Week, but the thrill of dancing with my friends was something that I will fondly look back on. While it was a bit tricky learning the dance moves, my entire group was filled with giggles and smiles so I didn’t worry too much about messing up a step or two. After a week full of classes, this was an amazing way to destress and reconnect with my friends, whilst also learning more about my residential college!Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
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