VISIT

Meet Our Owl Guides

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.

Jaden '28

Beach City, Texas

Residential College: Wiess

What is your favorite Rice experience?
The residential college system is my favorite part about Rice. Whether being able to have a community that you can come to after a long day of classes and hangout in commons, or meet alumni during associates dinner and talk about life goals, the residential college system provides an immediate environment where students can feel empowered and connected after my time at Rice.

Interests: ATHLETICS, CULTURE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Jake '29

Los Angeles, California

Residential College: Chao

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
In one of my classes that was mostly sophomores, a group of students invited me to join their study group even though I was the only freshman, which immediately made the class feel collaborative rather than competitive. I experienced that same support even more strongly when I tore my MCL. During that time, my friends and classmates were insistent on helping take care of me. People checked in on me every day, brought me food, and made sure I could get to classes and around campus while I was recovering. The culture of care at Rice is not just something people talk about, but something students live out by looking after each other.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION, RESEARCH
Jake R '28

Harrison, New York

Residential College: Duncan

What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience is undoubtedly Beer Bike! The entire week leading up to it is full of the quirky whimsy that makes Rice special: Residential College traditions, constant clever jacks, and tons of other festivities. It's the time of year when College culture is at it's peak --- people walk around in their College's merch, with some even dyeing their hair in their College's colors. At Duncan, Beer Bike week brings out my favorite Duncan traditions, such as Donnybrook (our Nerf gun war!), Thirsty Thursday (free milkshakes!) on our gorgeous sundeck, plenty of hilarious jacks on other colleges, and more. On the day of Beer Bike, the water balloon fight is just as massive as it sounds, the color war is a super wholesome gathering of Rice students, and the Bike Races are thrilling to watch!

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, MUSIC
Jessie '28

Dalian, China

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
1. The tight community 2. Exceptional research opportunities 3. The wide variety of classes and the distribution system that allows everyone to attempt things outside of their major

Interests: ARTS, RESEARCH
Jihra '27

Dallas, Texas

Residential College: Wiess

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love being asked about how I feel supported as a student here at Rice. It seems so silly when I think the anxiety I felt to make this transition into college life and wondering how to succeed at such a prestigious institution. Since matriculation i've had access to some incredible resources and initiatives that not only made me feel valued and welcome but equipped for success. Similarly our culture of care here has made me feel comfortable in embracing my identity and empowered to thrive.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Kacey '27

Houston, Texas

Residential College: Hanszen

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
If I ever struggle in any of my classes, I always have friends and peers reach out to ask how they can help. I have had friends spend hours helping me with homework and acquaintances from my classes send me study guides they made. Rice is very collaborative, and no one hesitates to reach out to help you if you struggle.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH
Karlianna '28

Katy, Texas

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
I like the climate, it’s close to home, and I can study all of my interests like Art, Science, Psychology, and Spanish, all at once! I also love the community and fun events!

Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE
Layal '26

Saar, Bahrain

Residential College: Wiess

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because it encapsulates everything I've dreamt of in my college experience. The intimate and collaborative learning environment ensures close interactions with professors and peers, fostering meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom. The residential college system creates a tight-knit community, offering diverse perspectives and a supportive network. I knew that Houston's diverse culture and endless activities would enhance my college experience, providing a balance between academics and real-world exposure. The idea of internships, cultural events, and the chance to engage with industries relevant to my studies excited me. It's like getting the best of both worlds – a tight-knit campus and a bustling city right next door.

Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Leah '29

Hinsdale, Illinois

Residential College: Sid Richardson

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice for the plethora of academic opportunities as well as the supportive and welcoming community. As a history major, I have found that Rice has an extremely strong humanities program with many programs and opportunities for students to take advantage of. The teaching is excellent, and professors are there to help students out. In addition, the community of students is so kind and caring; people smile at you even if you don’t know them at all. I knew that I would have an amazing academic and social experience by choosing Rice.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Lexi '28

Sugar Land, Texas

Residential College: Baker

What is your favorite Rice experience?
I loved getting to participate in the Rice in Spain program and study abroad in Pamplona for a summer. I made really great friends and still spend a lot of time with my classmates from the program while I am on campus, and I am also really close with my host family and loved getting to experience living in another country.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Leyana '29

Liberty Hill, Texas

Residential College: McMurtry

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I experienced Rice's Culture of Care through the daily interactions I have with students. Everyone is eager to help each other out, even if they don't know you that well. I was once bringing back 4 large Amazon packages to my dorm and was having trouble opening the door to Murt, and 2 other students came and helped me out without hesitation! They even helped me carry some of the packages all the way to my dorm without me asking, and I thought it was such a sweet and genuine gesture.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Lina '29

Austin, Texas

Residential College: Baker

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
When I got really sick and needed to go to the ER, people immediately stepped in to help, someone drove me, checked in on me, and my O-Week parents literally carried me up five flights of stairs afterward to get me back to my room and into bed. It was one of those moments where you realize people here genuinely care about you as a person, not just a student.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Lívia '26

Brasilia, Brazil

Residential College: Lovett

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of its academic reputation, diverse student body and financial aid. I came in knowing that I would study Astrophysics and Rice is one of the best schools for that. Rice is also one of the only schools that has a long lasting connection with NASA and the space industry in general so that made me even more excited to apply here. I also wanted to meet other international students like me and Rice gave me that opportunity with a student body that has people from all the 50 states and 100+ countries. Finally, without the International Student Grant I wouldn't be able to afford the cost of an undergraduate degree in the US, so the financial aid I got was also vital for me to choose Rice.

Interests: CULTURE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Lucy '29

Lighthouse Point, Florida

Residential College: Lovett

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice after first visiting campus during Owl Days. I immediately sensed a shift in the energy on campus--everyone I met was overwhelmingly welcoming, passionate about learning, and eager to show me why Rice was so special. Additionally, I love the intellectual curiosity Rice encourages, allowing flexibility for someone like me, who has interests across fields of study, as I plan to major in mathematics and neuroscience while being pre-med.

Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH
Lyla '29

Cave Creek, Arizona

Residential College: McMurtry

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I really felt Rice's Culture of Care for the first time during O-Week. My advisors already knew everyone's names before we'd even met, which genuinely blew me away, and set the tone for everything. People here actually care about how you're doing. It's genuine. And academically, it's nothing like I expected. There's no cutthroat competition, rather people study together, and are genuinely happy when their peers succeed. I've never been in an environment like that before. At Rice, you always feel like someone's in your corner and that means everything.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Mara '29

Madrid, Spain

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of how supportive the entire community is towards its students. I often tell my tours that any resource you can think of, Rice probably has, and if it doesn't they will help you create it. From the multicultural organizations, to the peer-to-peer resources, to the leadership coaching at the Doerr institute, to the funding opportunities for professional programs, Rice has ways of supporting its students for anything and everything they might need. Rice's abundance of resources combined with its small student population makes all of these resources incredibly accessible. What I most wanted from a university was to know that I would feel seen and that I would have the help I needed to reach my full potential, and that's something I quickly realized I would get at Rice.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Maya '26

Houston, Texas

Residential College: Sid Richardson

What is your favorite Rice experience?
O-week!

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Mckayla '29

Houston, Texas

Residential College: Will Rice

Why did you choose Rice?
I wanted to attend a smaller but still very academic school. I also knew that I wanted to go to school in the south (because of the weather). I felt like Rice checked all these general boxes and more. When I toured Rice, the guide made me feel so welcome and just liked they loved Rice. After attending Rice for a little more than a semester, I can confirm that I also love Rice.

Interests: ATHLETICS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Megan '28

Houston, Texas

Residential College: Duncan

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
Getting caught in the rain at the Houston Zoo can easily ruin anyone's day, but when my friends and I returned soaked and chilled to the bone, the Duncan Magisters greeted us with warm towels to help us dry off and warm up. It was a simple gesture, but it reflected the everyday kindness that makes the Rice community feel so supported. Moments like that make it clear that the culture of care isn't just a phrase people use at Rice, it's something you genuinely experience.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Michael '28

Seattle, Washington

Residential College: Brown

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
Students are very open to helping each other out even when they don't know you personally. Last year, I lost my ID for a while, and students I had never met before were willing to donate me a swipe so that I could eat in the servery when I didn't have a student ID.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Milton '26

Sacramento, California

Residential College: Wiess

Why did you choose Rice?
When I visited Rice as a prospective student, I immediately felt a sense of community on the campus. Everyone seemed very genuine and always happy to help whether they were helping another student or just a random stranger. Even though Rice is far from my original home, I felt that I could establish a new home for myself on campus.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP