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.
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
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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
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
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
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Molly '29
Albany, New York
Residential College: Wiess
How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I’ve experienced Rice’s Culture of Care in small but meaningful ways—like professors checking in during busy weeks, classmates sharing notes without being asked, and my core team genuinely looking out for my wellbeing. Rice makes it clear that you’re never expected to handle everything on your own, and that sense of support has shaped how comfortable I feel taking academic and personal risks here.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION, RESEARCH
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Nicole '28
Los Angeles, California
Residential College: Sid Richardson
Why did you choose Rice?
I initially chose Rice because of its top-ranked academic programs and the opportunity to study in a rigorous, creative environment. However, when I visited campus, what truly convinced me was the atmosphere and the people. The campus itself is beautiful, but it was the welcoming and supportive nature of the community that really stood out to me. Everyone I met seemed genuinely excited about being at Rice and eager to share their experiences. That sense of openness and care made it feel like a place where I could both challenge myself academically and feel supported along the way. Rice quickly felt like somewhere I could grow, explore my interests, and be part of a close-knit community.Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL
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Nikita '27
Houston, Texas
Residential College: Baker
How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
Through Rice's Culture of Care, I got to advise new students as an O-Week parent! I loved cheering my freshmen on whether it was birthday scavenger hunts (group chat disguised as "MATH 101 study group"), hand-drawn signs with their full names for basketball games, or late-night check-ins during exam stress. It was fulfilling to be a mentor, and I appreciate how Rice's culture encourages you to be a peer who supports collaboratively instead of constantly competing, because we each have different strengths.Interests: CULTURE, MUSIC, RELIGION, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Owen '29
Southlake, Texas
Residential College: Will Rice
How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I have experienced Rice's Culture of Care through my friends and residential college RAs. Whenever I'm stressed due to work or exams, my friends go out of their ways to cheer me up, making informal study breaks for me to rest, talking through my struggles, and cheering me on as I walk to the actual tests. Similarly, my residential college RAs know me by name and check in with me whenever we cross paths. They've taken the time to learn my interests and courses, and they regularly find opportunities to sit down and chat about studies, life, etc. Both groups of people (and so many more) constantly support me on campus, so I always feel the presence of Rice's Culture of Care.Interests: CULTURE, MUSIC, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
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Paris '28
Shanghai, China
Residential College: Brown
Why did you choose Rice?
Rice offered the resources that align well with my goals of going into biomedical research, as well as the flexibility to explore and protect my curiosity. But most importantly, I think I chose Rice for its people, whose vibe really resonated with mine even before I step foot on campus. Here, there's no single definition of success, nor is it a cut-throat environment where competition reigns above all else. People are truly passionate about their studies and goals and they are willing to give it all.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Patrick '28
Grapevine, Texas
Residential College: Brown
How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
The Culture of Care is such a huge part of my experience here at Rice. I never got the competitive vibe I was dreading coming to an academically rigorous institution, people are always willing to help you out, which makes for a great college experience. Also, the residential college experience facilitates this really well through dedicated RAs and Magisters who are also great resources to enhance the student experience.Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, MUSIC, RELIGION
Patrick '28
Grapevine, Texas
Residential College: Brown
What is your favorite Rice experience?
Traveling to LA the summer before freshman year to work as a Talent Escort at the ESPY Awards. It was my first time meeting other Rice students and getting a taste of what the Sport Management department has to offer.Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUSIC
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Patrick '28
Grapevine, Texas
Residential College: Brown
How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
The Culture of Care is such a huge part of my experience here at Rice. I never got the competitive vibe I was dreading coming to an academically rigorous institution, people are always willing to help you out, which makes for a great college experience. Also, the residential college experience facilitates this really well through dedicated RAs and Magisters who are also great resources to enhance the student experience.Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, MUSIC, RELIGION
Princess '27
Atlanta, Georgia
Residential College: Brown
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of the extensive resources available to students, and the welcoming atmosphere which allows students to be more collaborative than competitive.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
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