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How to Write the Rice University Essays 2024-2025

Rice University has three supplemental essays. Two of them are required for all applicants, while one of them gives you a choice between two different prompts. If you are applying to the School of Architecture, you are required to write two additional supplemental essays.

Rice is an extremely selective school, which means that your essays need to truly shine, to set you apart from other smart, talented applicants. In this post, we’ll break down each prompt, and explain how to write an excellent response that will maximize your chances of acceptance.

Read these Rice essay examples to inspire your writing.

Rice University Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. (150 words)

Prompt 2: Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 words)

Prompt 3: The Rice Box: In keeping with Rice’s long-standing tradition, please share an image of something that appeals to you.

Prompt 4: Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community (500 words):

• Option A: The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?
• Option B: Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

Applicants to the School of Architecture

Architecture applicants will not be required to answer Prompt 4 (above). Instead, they will answer Prompts 1-3 above, along with the following:

Prompt 1: Why are you determined to study architecture? Could you please elaborate on your past experiences and how they have motivated you to apply to Rice University and the School of Architecture in particular? (250 words) 

Prompt 2: Please expand on relevant experiences and motivations outside of your academic trajectory that have inspired you to study architecture, focusing on aspects that are not accommodated by other prompts in the application. (250 words)

All Applicants, Prompt 1

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. (150 words).

For this prompt, you want to discuss the reason behind your intended major and why you want to study that subject at Rice. It is particularly important to avoid giving the reader the impression that your chosen major attracts you because of the associated monetary reward or prestige—this will come across as shallow, and your passion for it will be deemed unsustainable. Instead, consider what excites you about your intended field of study, as well as the specific dimensions of this subject that fit your strengths and ambitions.

Instead of mentioning the general advantages of a Rice education, such as the high standard of academic performance and the accomplished faculty, you should discuss explicit offerings such as the Century Scholars Program , which assigns participants a faculty mentor for guidance in undergraduate research.

If you’ve visited the campus, writing about the content of a lecture that you sat in on, or the reflections of current students in the same program can demonstrate your interest in the school. It would also provide a strong basis for your belief that you and Rice’s environment are a match. If you haven’t had such opportunities, do extensive online research to show that you’ve carefully reflected on your compatibility with Rice.

For example:

• The School of Social Sciences emphasizes the professional development of students through the Gateway Program. If you’re interested in research, there are several social science institutes at Rice, such as the Shell Center for Sustainability and the Houston Education Research Consortium, that focus on understanding and solving specific social issues.
• In the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, academic programs (such as the Department of Kinesiology) and research organizations (such as the Smalley-Curl Institute, specializing in nanoscience) offer opportunities in unique niches of science that lend themselves to important applications. Here, you will find out that those unique niches include everything from heterogeneous cell systems to plasmids in E.coli. This is the level of specificity that you should strive for.

All Applicants, Prompt 2

Based upon your exploration of rice university, what elements of the rice experience appeal to you (150 words).

In this classic “Why This College?” essay, the goal is to strike a balance between discussing the academic advantages of Rice, and the sociocultural elements of Rice’s campus that dovetail with your personality and goals. You want to be careful to avoid the pitfall of common sentiments—don’t cite the low student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes that the university’s website advertises, as, while wonderful things, those are features of plenty of other schools as well.

You also want to avoid repeating the benefits of studying your intended major, as Prompt 1 already addresses that topic. Remember, you already only get so much space in your college application, so you don’t want to voluntarily limit yourself even further by repeating information that can already be found elsewhere.

Instead, dig beyond the first page of Rice’s website, to find details about the school that most other applicants do not have, and show Rice admissions officers that you already have a clear sense of how you would fit into their campus community. These could be details about student organizations, study abroad programs, research opportunities, or really anything that takes admissions officers outside of the classroom, to show them what your broader Rice experience would look like.

For example, if you are interested in interdisciplinary studies, you might spend part of your essay talking about your desire to join the Houston Institute Club, whose mission is to “explore the intersection of the humanities with the sciences and technology,” as that would show how this element of your personality overlaps with a feature of Rice.

Alternatively, if activism is important to you, you might mention wanting to join Rice for Black Life, a newly-formed racial justice group that raised almost $100k in a day for organizations fighting anti-Black violence. If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do at Rice, that’s also okay! Nailing down your desire to attend a particular school in the way this kind of essay requires is tricky, but there are a few different strategies you can use for getting started on your research.

Finally, keep an eye on the word count—150 words isn’t many to work with. You probably have a whole bunch of reasons for wanting to attend Rice, but you don’t want this essay to turn into a grocery list, as you need to give yourself room to elaborate on why you’re interested in the opportunities you’ve selected.  So, make sure you keep your focus narrow, on just 1-2 features of Rice that are particularly attractive to you.

All Applicants, Prompt 3

The rice box: in keeping with rice’s long-standing tradition, please share an image of something that appeals to you..

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so choose your image carefully! The image needs to make sense on its own, as you get to include a caption or accompanying essay, but you also want it to tell admissions officers something new about you. For example, if your common app essay is about kayaking, and you include a picture of a kayak, you’re essentially just repeating yourself in visual form.

What you want to do instead is take advantage of this creative “supplement” to show a side of your personality that doesn’t come across anywhere else in your application. College applications are, by their nature, somewhat limited in what they allow you to say about yourself. As you think about what image you want to include, think about something that’s crucial to understanding who you are, but doesn’t come across in your grades, extracurriculars, or essays.

That could be a photo of your childhood teddy bear, as that would show admissions officers you are sentimental, and hold onto things that are important to you. Alternatively, you could include a picture of your collection of Taylor Swift CDs, as that will show them that, when you love something or someone, you are dedicated and passionate.

While the Rice Box is a great chance for you to get creative, you don’t want to get too creative, as, again, you aren’t able to include any explanation with your image. So, if you include a photo of an abstract painting you did, admissions officers might not understand what they’re looking at. Make sure your image can stand alone, but other than that, don’t be afraid to (despite this prompt’s reference to the “Rice Box”) think outside the box here!

All Applicants, Prompt 4, Option A

The residential college system is at the heart of rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. what life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow owls in the residential college system (500 words).

Rice’s Residential College System randomly places students in one of eleven colleges and the majority of students live in their college for all four years. Rice considers diversity of perspective and experience fundamental to the success of the Residential College System, so your response should demonstrate how you would add to this system and the broader Rice community. 

Although the question is framed around the Residential College System, this is a classic example of the Diversity Essay . That means you want to focus on some aspect of your background, culture, or life experiences that has given you a unique perspective to share with other Rice students.

The prompt itself casts quite a wide net, by asking you to write about your “life experiences and/or unique perspectives.” That certainly includes race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and other aspects of our identities that people often associate with diversity. But you could also talk about your passion for Egyptian mythology, or your family’s love of fishing, or really anything that has been influential in making you who you are today.

Once you have selected a topic, you want to be sure to show, not tell, as you explain how this part of your identity would enrich Rice’s residential community. In other words, use examples to show how going on fishing trips every summer (for example) has shaped your personality. Don’t just say “Fishing has taught me patience and respect for the natural world.” Rather, describe an experience that helped teach you those lessons. That detail will give your reader a much clearer sense of exactly how you grew into the person you are today, and how you see yourself sharing your values with your peers at Rice.

As you flesh out the feature of your identity you’ve chosen to focus on, you want to make sure that you address the “Residential College System” component of this prompt, as Rice admissions officers aren’t just looking for a diversity essay. They also want you to connect your experiences to this feature of their school, which would play a huge part in your experience there.

In drawing this connection, you want to go beyond generic college tropes like late-night conversations with your roommate, as those are things you can find at any school. Instead, find some element of the Residential College System specifically that you’re intrigued by. Obviously, you don’t know which college you would be sorted into, but detail will still show Rice admissions officers that you’re genuinely interested in this feature of their school.

For example, if your essay is about coming to terms with your sexuality, and how today you are finally unafraid to express yourself in whatever way feels best, you could connect that to Brown college’s holiday decoration contest, and how your flair and confidence would make you a serious contender.

One last word of advice: make sure this supplement gives your reader new information. The broad scope of the prompt means you may be inspired to write about something you have already written about elsewhere in your application (in your common app essay, for example). But space in college applications is already incredibly limited, so you don’t want to voluntarily limit yourself even further by passing up one of the opportunities you do have to share something new with admissions officers.

All Applicants, Prompt 4, Option B

Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. what perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at rice (500 words).

Like the first option for this prompt, this is a good example of the common Diversity Essay , but without the twist of incorporating Rice’s Residential College System. So, much of what we wrote above applies here too: you want to select some aspect of your identity that you feel is particularly important to understanding who you are overall, and use anecdotes to explain how this aspect has shaped you.

As noted in our breakdown of the first option, the part of your identity you focus on can be just about anything. In this prompt, the phrasing is slightly different, but Rice is still intentionally casting a wide net with the line “background, experiences, upbring, and/or racial identity.”

Do keep in mind that, after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action , the way colleges evaluate race in admissions will be different this year. While schools can no longer factor race into their broader admissions strategies, they can still consider it on an individual level, through essays. So, if you would like to share how your racial background has shaped you and inspires you to become an agent of change, you’re welcome to do so here.

As an example of a good topic, you could write about how your parents immigrating from Costa Rica and speaking Spanish to you at home taught you the value of working to preserve the things that are most important to you. But you could also write about something more unconventional, like how helping organize files at your dad’s law firm every summer showed you that every great achievement is the sum of many small, seemingly insignificant actions.

Neither approach is better or worse than the other. Just ask yourself honestly which aspect of your identity (which you have not already shared elsewhere in your application) is most important for admissions officers to know about, and structure your response around it.

What you do want to make sure to include in your response is a broader takeaway, along the lines of the ones highlighted in our examples above. Remember that Rice admissions officers are trying to get a sense of what you would look like as a member of their campus community, so they need to know more than just “my parents spoke Spanish to me at home” or “I worked at my dad’s law firm in the summer.”  

They also need to understand why these experiences are relevant to understanding what you’d look like as a Rice student, so make sure your response answers that question. For example, for the above examples, the Costa Rican student might write that they were once speaking Spanish in a grocery store with their mom when a stranger made a xenophobic comment and told them to speak English. Because she feels most connected to her roots when speaking Spanish, she wanted others to have a supportive space to learn and speak Spanish (both heritage speakers and non-heritage speakers), so she started a Spanish club at school and put on cultural events. She can write that she wants to continue to foster these spaces at Rice and beyond.

School of Architecture Applicants, Prompt 1

Why are you determined to study architecture could you please elaborate on your past experiences and how they have motivated you to apply to rice university and the school of architecture in particular (250 words).

This is an example of the traditional “Why This Major” essay, that you will likely become familiar with as you work through your supplements. Rice wants to know two things: why you want to study architecture, and why Rice is a good fit for you to pursue your architectural goals. Remember that you’ll also be submitting your response to Prompt 1, which is also about your academic interests, so be sure that this essay presents new information and isn’t repetitive. 

In fleshing out your motivation for studying architecture, you want to draw on your past experiences to demonstrate your personal connection to the subject. If you rely on abstract theories of how to design windows, or spend 200 of your 250 words talking about why Frank Lloyd Wright is your favorite architect, admissions officers will likely want to accept him, or install a new window in their house, rather than accept you.

Instead, you could talk about how your town renovated its bus station when you were starting high school, and your fascination with the choices they made to ensure the station would still run efficiently even during snowy winters. Rather than just telling your readers that you’re interested in infrastructure, you ground this interest in a personal narrative, which gives them a much clearer understanding of why you’re drawn to architecture.

You can also take a longitudinal approach to this essay, by explaining how your passion for architecture unfolded over time. 

For example, you could begin by describing your sense of wonder the first time you saw The Vessel in Hudson Yards, a relatively new development in New York City. You could then transition into talking about how, when you started researching the project, you learned about the controversial tax breaks the Hudson Yards development project received, which prompted a broader interest in the political side of architecture.

Regardless of the approach you take, you want to be sure that you don’t just answer “Why architecture?” but also “Why architecture at Rice ?” Rice isn’t the only school with an architecture program, so you want to make sure you explain why you are interested in theirs in particular.

For the bus station example, you could connect that experience to your hope to work with Professor Georgina Baronian, whose work explores “the interrelation of climate and aesthetics.” For the Hudson Yards example, you could talk about how you hope to delve deeper into the intersection between architecture and politics through courses like ARCH 350 (2): HOUSE: Historical, Representational, Political, which “considers the house typology as a connective thread through history with embedded representational imagery and political implications.” These connections to Rice specifically will give admissions officers confidence that you are ready to take advantage of all that Rice’s architecture program has to offer.

School of Architecture Applicants, Prompt 2

Please expand on relevant experiences and motivations outside of your academic trajectory that have inspired you to study architecture, focusing on aspects that are not accommodated by other prompts in the application. (250 words).

The key to this prompt is the phrase “outside of your academic trajectory.” You already have two essays that give you space to talk about your academic interest in architecture. But choosing a major, and potentially a career, is about more than just books and classes. In this essay, you want to show admissions officers what broader fulfillment architecture gives you, to the point that you want to dedicate your higher educational experience to the field.

There’s no one right way to do that, but one approach is to consider your informal experiences, or self-motivated educational endeavors, that contributed to your interest in architecture. That could be the story of how as a child you used to hold screws in place for your dad when he was building you the bunk bed you’d always wanted. 

Alternatively, you could talk about how watching a documentary on Italian Renaissance architecture inspired you to want to build something as beautiful and enduring as the duomo in Siena. Or you could connect your interest in architecture to more general values you hold, by, for example, describing how architecture allows you to combine your love of beautiful things with your belief in the importance of efficiency.

The only real rule here is that you’re honest. If you’re having a hard time crafting your response to this prompt, take a step back, from the essay and from your application to Rice in general, and ask yourself honestly: Why do I want to study architecture? In sports, athletes sometimes talk about the importance of never losing your love for the game, and a similar idea applies here. When you’re not in class or discussing building codes, what makes your heart burn for architecture? That’s the question you want to answer in this essay.

Where to Get Your Rice Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Rice essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

Need feedback faster? Get a  free, nearly-instantaneous essay review  from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Tips and Examples for Writing your Rice University Supplements

Owls at the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia

Rice University is the only college or university in the state of Texas that isn’t on Apply Texas. Rice accepts the Common or Coalition Application. In addition to the required 650-word long essay, each first-time freshman applicant must submit responses to three supplements: discuss your major, Why Rice and a diversity essay linked to their Residential College System. This prompt is not part of Fall 2021 freshman admissions. Applicants must also upload a photo or image that appeals to them in “The Box.”

Rice is also one of the only Texas universities that offers a binding Early-Decision November 1 deadline option and the request for interviews. Otherwise, everyone must complete their Regular Decision applications by January 1, a month later than UT-Austin and Texas A&M’s final deadline. ED applicants are admitted at twice the rate of RD prospects.

Rice admits only 9% of it’s applicants and has a middle 50% test score range of AT 33-35 and SAT 1460-1560. That means a quarter of admitted students have basically perfect standardized test scores, and few who score outside of the top ten percent of test-takers nationwide will gain admission. Still, given the limited spaces, many applicants with near-perfect academics will get denied from Rice.

Like most other Texas universities, they have gone Test Optional for Fall 2021. Some students are asking if I think Rice will somehow be easier since they’ve gone test-optional. I think it’s the opposite. A likely increase in application numbers means an even lower admissions rate than before. If you’ve scored higher than a 1450 or 32, submit your score.

Still, Rice is extraordinarily competitive, comparable with most selective universities nationwide. 60% of enrollees come from outside of Texas. Consider that Rice admits a lower percentage of applicants than Cornell, Dartmouth, U Penn, Northwestern, Duke, Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgetown.

If you don’t feel you’re competitive for the above schools, Rice is probably out of reach. Often, Texas residents throw Rice on the list when there is little to no chance of gaining admission because it’s in-state and nearby. Since they have additional supplemental essays, it requires extra time beyond your Apply Texas schools. Unless your family makes less than $200,000 , you are expected to pay the full cost of attendance.

Every year, my clients gain admission to Rice, but none have enrolled because they assess UT-Austin or Texas A&M as providing a better value and less potential debt. Building a debt-manageable and reasonable college lis t is critical for managing expectations and college admissions anxieties. Choose wisely whether Rice is worth the effort to apply and if it’s an education you can potentially afford.

Interested in working together on your UT-Austin or Common Application essays? Complete my questionnaire for a free e-mail consultation.

Converting your Apply Texas Essay A to the Common Application Essay

Since Rice isn’t on Apply Texas, you will need to submit an essay for either the Common or Coalition applications. Since most applicants submit the Common App, and since Common App has hard word limits, I focus here on converting your Apply Texas Essay A to meet this requirement. Generally, for Texas residents, it saves a lot of time and energy to submit a single long essay rather than writing separate submissions for Apply Texas and the Common App.

Apply Texas has recommended word limits of 500-700 words for its Essay A, but in practice, Apply Texas doesn’t have any hard word limits. In practice, Apply Texas’s 80 lines of 120 characters equates to an absolute word maximum of around 830-850 words, so yes, your Essay A can be longer than 700 words. I discuss word limits further.

Since Essay A “Tell Us Your Story” is such a broad topic, it can fit easily into one of the Common or Coalition options. I suggest writing and polishing Essay A first before trimming it down to fit within Common App’s firm 650-word limit. Common App does not allow a single word in excess of the word limits for either the long essay or the supplements.

Check out my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness and Youtube Channel

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected (150 words)

This supplement short answer requires a straightforward and direct response to why you’re majoring in your area of interest. Almost all students applying to UT-Austin will provide a shortened version of their UT Major supplement.

It isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can help your essay by identifying and writing briefly about any courses, professors, research labs, study abroads, academic organizations, or certificate programs that interest you. Moreover, since Rice is a smaller university, they have fewer amounts of majors, but they have an emphasis on discovery and interdisciplinary studies, so it’s important to do homework about what sets Rice’s academic units apart from other selective universities.

Rice Academic Area Example: Economics

The interdisciplinary approach of the supplementary Managerial Studies major appeals to my interest in how macro- and microeconomic conditions dictate corporate strategies. I intend to double major in Economics so that I can develop economic analysis and statistics tools to better understand consumer behavior. I look forward to exploring the social sciences and taking courses like the Behavioral Economics (Econ 210) elective requirement, which should integrate the discussion of firm decision-making covered in the Financial Economics (Econ 443) Managerial Studies core. In addition, I want to explore statistical modeling tools through the Financial Computation and Modeling (FCAM) minor program. I hope to investigate the financial technologies that analyze market behavior and investment strategies. Overall, I admire that the course offerings deviate from a traditional business major and towards a comprehensive overview of the internal and external environment of a firm.

Rice Academic Area Example: Psychology

After two years of experiencing severe stomach pain and nausea, doctors diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I searched for every related book I could get my hands on to explain the link between mental and physical health. As a result, I pursued an internship at the local counseling office to further expand my knowledge concerning GAD. I genuinely want to understand how mental health affects people. It fascinates me unlike anything else. After interviewing psychiatrists, licensed professional counselors, and nurse practitioners, I intend to obtain a Ph.D. and become a professor of abnormal psychology. Nothing seems more exciting than investigating the sources and treatments for mental health and contribute to the wider body of knowledge to inform and support future generations. To achieve my goal, I plan to take a multi-disciplinary approach and double-major in psychology and neuroscience with a minor in data analysis.

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 words)

If you didn’t mention any specific opportunities that appeal to you in your Rice Major essay, you definitely need to do so here. Writing your “Why Rice” essay requires identifying at least a few reasons that makes Rice unique among all the colleges you’re applying. Visiting campus, like the first example below, obviously helps. Discuss any observations or interactions from your visit and discuss briefly relevant organizations or communities that appeal to you. It also helps to strike a balance between academic and Rice community activities.

If you haven’t visited Rice, like the second example below, it may help to read student blogs, watch Youtube videos, read or listen to a Rice professor interview, or find any relevant research that interests you. With Covid-19, it may help better inform your essay if you take a virtual tour or their other remote visit options. You can also see what Rice thinks sets them apart from other universities.

Why Rice? Campus Visit Example

During my visit to Rice, I became captivated by the experiential concept of the student-run businesses. I can see how on-campus opportunities provide real-world experience like Rice’s Coffeehouse. I appreciate it’s commitment to sustainability and plastic waste reduction, which aligns with my product sourcing analyst role in my mother’s online business. For instance, I identified the company 4Ocean for inclusion in her business brand portfolio. For each bracelet that the organization sells, they pledge to extract a pound of trash from the ocean. I want a college that supports student interests and offers intimate communities. The Rice Undergraduate Finance Club appeals to me because students manage a portion of the university’s endowment through real investments. After expanding student access to a standardized comprehensive financial curriculum as a national officer for the Young Investors Society organization, I recognize the value of sharpening my financial acumen within a team setting.

Why Rice? No Visit Example

Because of my academic interests, undergraduate research opportunities are my top priority. Currently, I find myself the most captivated by the minds of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rice cultivates an environment of unrestrained intellectual curiosity. I’ve grown up on a farm, and the life and career of Temple Grandin who revolutionized the livestock industry fascinates me. Autism granted her gifts for understanding animal and human behavior in novel ways. Bonding with cattle led her to invent the “hug box” to calm people with autism spectrum disorders. I’ve read of Deborah Pearson’s work in the Developmental Neuropsychology Clinic, and I would love to join her research team concerning therapeutic approaches to children with ASD or ADHD. Additionally, Rice’s commitment to maintaining small class sizes was a huge factor in my decision because small classes foster deeper discussions. I don’t want to take classes just to pass. I want to actually understand the material and how it applies to everyday life. I don’t feel it’s possible to have meaningful dialog and exchange in 100+ student lectures.

Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System and undergraduate life are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What life perspectives would you contribute to the Rice community? (500 words)

This wordy supplement is a textbook example of a “diversity” essay, almost exactly like UT Austin’s “enrich the learning environment” diversity essay asking you to discuss an identity, interest, or talent. Whereas the UT Major short answer can be shortened to fit that 150-word prompt, many students expand upon their UT’s diversity essay with additional forecasts on how they perceive themselves on campus. Other ways to word this prompt are “tell us something you want us to know that you haven’t already mentioned in your application” or “describe the environment in which you were raised.”

This essay has two key steps: discussing what perspectives you bring to campus, and how you see yourself on campus. One option is to elaborate more on Why Rice by referencing campus clubs or student organizations relevant to your background or interests.

Students often get tripped up on the Residential College System wording, but that reference is as much about Rice’s value system and priorities as the living arrangements.

“Unlike many universities, Rice doesn’t have sororities or fraternities, nor is there an honors college or an athletic dorm. Instead, we randomly sort our new students into one of these 11 colleges. Because each student is randomly assigned and stays in the same college throughout their undergraduate years, the diversity of our student body creates a rich tapestry of traditions, culture, and, most importantly, community.”

Rice’s residential system is genuinely unique among Texas universities and models itself on Yale’s residential college system . Much of the community and campus life takes place inside and among the eleven colleges.

Our residential college experience conveys the rich flavor of academic life at Rice and allows students to combine their usual studies with an array of social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, innovative college-designed courses, and an active role in student government.

If you’ve visited campus or have friends or family who have lived in one of the residential colleges, it can help to identify one or two of the communities where you might belong. If not, do some homework regarding each college’s traditions, values, alum, and so on. Although the living and roommate assignments are distributed randomly - there is no Harry Potter Sorting Hat that considers your preferences - it can demonstrate to your reviewer that you’ve made at least some effort to research the Residential College System’s value and unique living situation.

Each example below focuses on how their background and beliefs will contribute to Rice’s diverse campus. Both share how they view themselves on campus.

Residential College System Diversity Example: Religion and Culture

As a practicing Sikh, I attend the weekly Sunday religious services at [redacted] temple. I am a lead youth worship volunteer responsible for reaching out to other area religious communities and helping with food service during the congregational meals. The vegetarian meals are free of charge and open to everyone, fostering an inclusive gathering for temple visitors irrespective of religion or ethnicity. I distribute food and water with a commitment to seva , or the selfless service towards others. The term Sikh translates to a disciple or learner, and we seek prosperity for all of humankind. Our religion emphasizes interfaith relations, so we welcome people from all backgrounds interested in peace and equality. I regularly attend cultural assemblies, and I became the first graduate from the local Punjabi language school at [my temple]. In addition, I facilitate donation collection, cash counting, cash reporting, and budgeting for our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. I strive to maintain close cultural and religious ties to my heritage, but intercultural exchanges are central to my life. In addition to supporting the Sikh community, I believe it is vital to give back to society at large. As a result, I have implemented the ChangeUp app initiative at [my temple], so members can round-up purchases and cumulatively contribute spare change to a selected nonprofit organization. Particularly, I desire to become a Community Bridges Fellows of the Rice Kinder Institute of Urban Research so that I can engage in fieldwork and sociology coursework that help alleviate poverty and address urban inequality in the Greater Houston area. By aligning with Sikhism’s core community-focused Sangat philosophy, which refers to fellowship and the need for a cohesive community, I appreciate interacting with both young children and senior citizens. In fact, I have encouraged the youth at the temple to serve in a similar fashion, following my lead with funds management and meal service. During my time at Rice, I would apply to be a Religious & Spiritual Genre Council Lead because I want to arrange inclusive events that bring students from varying backgrounds together. By planning networking events for students and alumni as a Genre Council Lead, I would have the opportunity to both espouse and embody Rice’s commitment of hospitality to each member of the community. As an adherent of the Sikh religion, I recognize the necessity of interfaith relations to build an inclusive community interested in personal growth and professional development. At Rice, the randomized residential college system will offer fruitful opportunities to develop relationships with classmates from all backgrounds. By coordinating with the Rice Program Council (RPC), I hope to host events and discussions to build an inclusive community interested in personal growth and professional development. I seek to immerse myself in Rice’s diverse Sangat , or enter its welcoming network that offers academic, social, and philanthropic opportunities to build rewarding ties with members of the student community.

Residential College System Diversity Example: Rural Perspectives

Trust me, I would much rather spend my time participating in the typical suburbanite activities like gymnastics, music lessons, or maybe even yoga. However, as the daughter of a trailer tycoon, my evening pastimes include shaking buckets of ironically-cylindrical cattle cubes, leading the cattle into their pen and pacing myself, so the cattle walk quickly but don’t stampede. It surprises me that others haven’t considered that cows have personalities just like dogs or cats. Blue, our massive Brahma bull, would walk up behind me and duck his head under my arm so I could pet and give him attention. The first couple of times he approached, I fled to safety fearing I encroached on his territory. Each time, however, he followed me to the fence and looked at me longingly with his fluttering big amberbrown eyes. Eventually, I accepted his invitation. HisThe calves he fathered share his friendly demeanor whereas calves from other bulls tended to shy away. Blue soon became one of my closest friends, and I made sure he got all the love and attention he deserved. My grandfather shared his love of animals with my mother who passes down to me her dedication to the well-being of four-legged creatures of all shapes and sizes. As a vet, my grandfather confided with me that his patients were typically very kind and courteous. Their humans caused the problems. My mom, sister, and I probably go a little bit overboard sharing his compassion for animals, but we just can’t say no to whichever animal in need wanders onto our property. We currently home six dogs and two cats as permanent residents. Countless more temporary guests have made their mark on our family over the years. Thankfully we live in a rural area where the dogs can roam, and the cats can scamper about. I must admit that when confronted by the “What is your spirit animal” question; I don’t hesitate to answer that my obese cat Felix embodies what I enjoy most – napping and free food. I’ve spent my entire life around animals. I credit them for making me more empathetic, loyal, and understanding. At Rice, I see myself participating in several service-based organizations and providing free tutoring to my classmates. Living meaningfully to me requires helping others and contributing to the greater good. A job where my efforts translated into numbers on the bottom line would leave life meaningless and dull. It’s when you invest in others whether animal or human that life becomes interesting.

In keeping with Rice's long-standing tradition (known as "The Box"), please  share an image of something that appeals to you . No words of explanation can be included.

You can upload just about anything you want (although definitely don’t submit actual grains of rice). The two example applicants I referenced in this post uploaded the branding of their family business and the other a picture of some of the family animals. I imagine it’s very rare that any applicant gets admitted and definitely not denied based solely on the image.

However, a unique picture that reflects some dimension of your talents or interests could help tip the scales in your favor. Since Rice reviews applicants by committee, this is your opportunity to present a different side of yourself. If you love to cook, tinker, repair, design, sketch, produce, or play something, show an image that reflects your passion.

Although you can share an image that references something you mention in your resume or essays, it’s also your opportunity to get off the college admissions script and share something meaningful to you even if it has no obvious relationship to improving your admissions chances.

In any case, I wouldn’t overthink this. I’ve known a few students who spent days and sometimes weeks agonizing what to upload, comparing and contrasting tens of images to try and find some mythical “perfect” photo.

Every blog post I share on Tex Admissions features a photo from my travels. Most are often totally irrelevant to the post content, but some like the Owls on this post, it is directly relevant, taken during a visit to KL’s Bird Park famous for its world’s largest indoor enclosure. So if I were applying to Rice, perhaps I’d upload these owls.

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Hey everyone! I'm working on my Rice University application essays, and I wanted to read some examples of successful submissions for inspiration. Any recommendations for where to find these or, if you personally got in, would you mind sharing what worked for you?

Hi there! It's always good to seek inspiration for your college application essays, but remember that your own voice and experiences should ultimately be the focus. That being said, you can check out CollegeVine's blog, which features examples of essays submitted by real students. You can find some Rice essays here: https://blog.collegevine.com/rice-university-essay-examples

You might also want to visit Rice University's own website to see if they have any posted samples or guidelines for what they are looking for in their applicants' essays.

Also consider CollegeVine's breakdown of all the current Rice prompts here: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-rice-university-essays

A key tip is to avoid cliche topics and ensure that your essay provides a fresh perspective. Instead of writing about a typical high school experience, search for a singular moment or conflict that reflects your character, growth, or passion for a subject. This will help your essay resonate with the admissions officers.

Good luck with your Rice University application essays! Keep in mind that while examples are a helpful starting point, your own authentic voice and storytelling are what will ultimately set your submission apart.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Rice University Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

July 30, 2024

Rice University, the STEM powerhouse in Houston, Texas, accepted just under 8% of applicants into their Class of 2028. Given that the applicant pool—including the 92% who are ultimately rejected—are all immensely talented and qualified, any aspiring Rice student needs to find ways to stand out on their application. One such way is through the Rice supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into Rice? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get into Rice University: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When evaluating applicants, Rice University places a strong emphasis on the quality of one’s essays. Below are Rice’s four supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for creating a committee-swaying admissions essay.

Rice Supplemental Essays – Prompt #1

1) please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above. (150 word limit)..

Share an authentic story here of why you are interested in your selected discipline (or disciplines). What books have you read on the subject? Which documentaries have you watched? What podcasts have you listened to? What subtopics most intrigue you? Did a teacher excite you about a topic, or was it a parent or outside mentor? Do you know where you want to take this knowledge post-bachelor’s degree? Do you aim to one day go on to pursue a graduate/professional degree or is there an occupation you are shooting for right out of undergrad? Which classes are you excited to take? What do you hope to research as an undergrad? Include as much detail as possible in this very limited 150-word space.

You can structure the narrative of this essay as a succinct but comprehensive soup-to-nuts chronicle of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest (even in limited space) or you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc.

Rice Supplemental Essays – Prompt #2

2) based upon your exploration of rice university, what elements of the rice experience appeal to you (150 word limit.).

The admissions committee wants to know why you desire to pursue your studies at Rice. However, with only 150 words to play with, you’ll have to make every sentence count.

In general, make sure to:

• Cite specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , internship/externship programs , study abroad program s, student-run organizations , etc.
• Explain how you will take advantage of the university’s endless resources both inside and outside of the classroom.

Examples of items that quality “Why Rice?” essays touch upon include:

• Ample opportunities for mentored research with faculty as an undergraduate.
• Rice’s mission/vision.
• Desire to participate in some of the  300 student-led organizations on campus.
• Lastly, one of Rice’s study abroad opportunities that appeals to you.

Rice Supplemental Essays – Prompt #3

Choose 1 of 2 (500 words):

1) Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your family background

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement, activities list, and other Rice essays. What important aspects of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? Then, which aspect best showcases your potential to be a leader and/or change agent within a particular space?

The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew. No matter what type of story you tell, the goal is to have the reader come away saying, “I can definitely see this applicant as a contributing member of our talented and engaged student community.”

2) The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?

Your answer here could be about an ethnic, religious, or neighborhood community/identity or a group of individuals who gather for a club, sport, or service project. Perhaps you are the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, or the president of a club—on the other hand, you may simply be a valuable contributing member. Regardless of whether you are a leading man/woman or a still-essential bit player, make sure that you use your writing ability to show the admissions officer what type of community member you are rather than merely telling them. Of course, they are also interested in your “life perspectives,” which are typically more engaging when shown through examples versus delivered through “I” statements.

Rice Supplemental Essays (Continued)

You can also discuss how you have engaged with your high school local/community and what you have learned from interacting with people of a different ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, etc. Draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in your community and speculate how that is likely to manifest on Rice’s campus. Research and cite Rice student-run organizations, local nonprofit groups, or anything else you are drawn to. The admissions committee wants to understand precisely how you will contribute to their campus community of 8,000+ undergrads. In summary, drawing the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here.

Rice University Supplement – “The Box”

The rice box: in keeping with rice’s long-standing tradition, please share an image of something that appeals to you..

Take them at their word here that “The Box” is “not used for evaluative purposes.” As such, you shouldn’t spend hours assembling the perfect collage or designing your own symbol from scratch. Think of this as your signature on your Rice application. You can be straightforward, silly, serious, or sincere. Also, heed their advice that the image can be something “aside from what you have achieved.” Therefore, you shouldn’t feel pressured to insert a picture of a robot you built or a trophy you won.

How important are the Rice supplemental essays?

The essays are “very important” to the Rice admissions committee. The following factors are equally important: the rigor of one’s secondary school record. GPA, class rank, recommendations, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. Clearly, Rice University weighs your essays heavily in their evaluation of your candidacy.

Want personalized assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Rice supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Need additional writing assistance? Check out the following blogs:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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How to Write the Rice University Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2024/2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are the rice supplemental essay prompts.

• How to write each prompt for Rice University
• Prompt #1: "Why major" essay
• Prompt #2: "Why us" essay
• Prompt #3: Multiple options essay
• Prompt #4: "Why architecture" essay
• Prompt #5: "Why architecture" essay (non-academic)

If you’ve already written supplemental essays for your college applications, chances are you’ve written some version of most of Rice’s prompts below. And there’s a reason these essays—specifically the “Why us?,” “Why Major,” and “How You’ll Contribute” prompts—are so common: They do a great job of getting to the heart of who you are, what you value, and what you’re looking for in a college experience. But just to show it’s different, Rice throws a curveball for the last one (in addition to a couple extras for architecture majors). We break them all down below, complete with examples, tips, and analyses.

Before you begin writing, you may want to get deeper insights into the kind of student Rice is looking for, and how it views itself. You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . For a better sense of how Rice envisions its role in academia and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its strategic plan, Vision for a Second Century, Second Decade (V2C2) .

Rice University Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above. (150 word limit)

Rice University Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 word limit)

Rice University Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community:

The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? (500 words) Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? (500 words)

Rice University Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

Architecture Essay Prompt: Why are you determined to study architecture? Could you please elaborate on your past experiences and how they have motivated you to apply to Rice University and the School of Architecture in particular? (250 words)

Rice University Supplemental Essay Prompt #5

Architecture Essay Prompt: Please expand on relevant experiences and motivations outside of your academic trajectory that have inspired you to study architecture, focusing on aspects that are not accommodated by other prompts in the application. (250 words)

Rice University's "The Box"

The Rice Box: In keeping with Rice's long-standing tradition, please share an image of something that appeals to you.

How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Rice University

How to write rice supplemental essay prompt #1.

This essay is what we call a “Why Major” essay, and at 150 words, it’s relatively short. 

You’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing this essay at this link . We recommend reading the whole guide, but here’s the SparkNotes version:

Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet-point outline.

Step #2: Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions.

Step #3: Decide if you want to include a specific thesis that explicitly states your central argument—in this case, what you want to study and why. This thesis can be at the beginning, middle, or end of your essay.

Step #4: Write a draft!

Here’s an example essay to point you in the right direction.

After attending a three-week summer camp researching epigenetics, I knew that molecular biology was what I wanted to study as the next step towards a research-oriented biotech career. However, research for research’s sake isn’t what I’m interested in. Molecular biology has huge implications for human health, with the ability to alter gene expression or protein function as a possible avenue for the treatment of almost any disease.   Because of these potential impacts, molecular biology is a field that’s ripe for unethical exploitation, as seen in Gattaca or Brave New World. I want to make sure that research is conducted with everyone’s best interests in mind, so that the benefits from discoveries will be able to help more than just those that can afford it, and so that they can be used safely and effectively. — — —

Tips + Analysis

Identify the relevant movie moments. This student’s “movie moment” is their time at summer camp, when they knew they wanted to study molecular biology. Note that it can be useful to get even more detailed and cinematic, but you’ll want to avoid simply repeating the activities list. And with the prompts fairly small word count, spending less time on the what allows for more word count space to focus on why this is important to them.  

A step towards a larger goal. This student writes about how they want to study molecular biology as a next step towards a research-oriented biotech career—a great, direct reason for their why. If you already know what you want to pursue careerwise, a great way to frame it is by talking about how a certain major will help you achieve those goals. If  you don’t know what you want to do in or after college, you can still take inspiration from this by talking about how this major will help you achieve a different goal, like learning about something you’re curious about or exploring an issue that matters to you. 

Discuss larger scope, impact, and your role in it. While already within the first sentence/paragraph, we know the what and why (step towards research-oriented biotech career), the rest of this essay goes into greater depth to explain this direction, especially in relation to research. They talk about the big picture for how molecular biology can impact human health, but the golden nugget is when they talk about where they see themselves fitting into that picture: making sure that research is beneficial to everyone and discoveries can be used safely and effectively. 

Sprinkle in points of connection. This wasn’t necessary, but definitely a nice touch—this student sprinkled in references to Gattaca and Brave New World, which does a few things: (1) tells us a tiny bit more about the student and maybe some of the media they like to engage with, (2) that they’re able to make connections between things they’ve read/watched and what they’re learning about in real life, and (3) creates an aha moment for the reader, especially if they’ve read/watched these things; it creates even more of a visual without the student having to explain exactly what those unethical exploitations are. 

Here’s another example from a Rice applicant with an impressive depth of exploration:

Over the past summer, I conducted research as a full-time intern at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The primary purpose of my research was to engineer a more efficient halogenase enzyme. This enzyme was designed to decrease costs and increase the yield of halogenated products used to create a novel biomaterial for F-35 aircraft. Applying all the knowledge I’d gained throughout high school to figure out this problem was an incredible introduction to the world of multidisciplinary science. I built on my years spent studying organic chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology, both in school and Science Olympiad, with a focus on utilizing engineering principles in order to create a product. Throughout the summer, I enjoyed being able to apply my knowledge collaboratively, pulling from a vast range of scientific fields. It’s this experience that has greatly influenced my decision to continue applying myself interdisciplinarily and continue my undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering. — — — 

And as a bonus, here’s a good example of a strong Why Major essay that was written for Yale but offers a solid framework to emulate (note, though, that you’ll get a whole 50 more words for your Rice Why Major).

Storytelling has shaped me. At four, I read The Lion King until I’d memorized it. I’d snuggle in bed as my dad read Wilderness Champion or Tom Sawyer. Later, I found audio and visual storytelling, mesmerized by This American Life and Whiplash. Now, I create my own stories through newspaper satire, podcasting, and locally-broadcasted radio.  My major at Yale would be the next chapter in my life of storytelling. I’d explore past narratives and how they can be digitally innovated. Whether exploring media’s disfiguration of truth, developing screenplays, or analyzing mise-en-scene, I hope to pioneer new networks of connection. (99 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis  

(Quickly) hook the reader. The first line performs a few functions here. First, it pulls us in and makes us curious about what exactly she means by claiming that storytelling has shaped her. Second, it gives us a sense of a core aspect of her identity and values. 

Show the development of your interest through moments that connect to core values. She packs a nice amount of detail into 99 words. The details she includes point toward her values and identity, as do her interests in newspaper satire, podcasting, and local radio. The details in the second paragraph show some nice depth and development. 

Describe how Rice can help with the next steps. She links her brief origin story to how college might help her on her path, and how it will help her develop both her understanding and her values. 

Architecture students, write about your other areas of academic interest. Technically speaking, you essentially have three academic-focused prompts for Rice, for a total of 650 words (lucky you!), so it’s important not to repeat yourself too much and to share multiple aspects of your academic interests. When filling out your Common App for Rice, you’ll be asked to note your “second and third areas of interest, including non-majors and areas outside the school to which you are applying.” So, since you’ll be thoroughly covering your interest in architecture from a couple of different angles in Prompts 4 and 5, consider using this essay to speak to your interest in those other subjects, maybe touching on architecture only briefly but not in a way that will feel redundant to the information you’ll share in the architecture-specific prompts. That will help to communicate to Rice the wide breadth of your academic curiosity. 

how to write Rice Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

At 150 words, this is a shorter version of the typical “Why us?” essay.  

Because this essay is so short, the key will be finding 2-3 reasons that set Rice apart from all the other schools you’re applying to.

Here’s the “Why us?” essay guide —in this case, the Cornell example is probably the best one to check out, since it focuses on reasons that set Cornell apart. In that guide we talk a bit about how to tackle the shorter version of this essay, and the Tufts example is a great one. 

As you write, try to avoid these common mistakes:

Six Common Mistakes Students Make on “Why Us?” Essays

Mistake #1 : Writing about the school's size, location, reputation, weather, or ranking

Mistake #2 : Simply using emotional language to demonstrate fit

Mistake #3 : Screwing up the mascot, stadium, team colors or names of any important people or places on campus

Mistake #4 : Parroting the brochures or website language

Mistake #5 : Describing traditions the school is well-known for

Mistake #6 : Thinking of this as only a "Why them" essay

Here’s a great sample essay for this prompt: 

Last year I attended California Girls State. Like myself, many delegates were pursuing careers in STEM, and we helped each other understand the importance of having a supportive community of intelligent, empowered young women. So when I found Women LEAD at Rice, I was excited to apply. Women LEAD will further expose me to views on leadership from a woman’s perspective while networking with other bright, talented women so I too can become a leader and inspire others.  I love that Rice is one of the only schools I’m applying to that directly focuses on student well-being and community through things like President and Dean’s Study Breaks, helping students find balance before finals. Additionally, I want to work with the Rice Student Volunteer Program, helping build community in Houston, and with Baylor College of Medicine Patient Discharge Initiative to help underserved patient populations, as I’ve loved volunteering at Saddleback Memorial.  — — —

The “us” in “Why us” means you + Rice. In other words, connect your “why me” to your “why Rice.” This student does that right from the start, sharing a leadership experience that inspired her (STEM-focused delegates at California Girls State) and connecting it to a relevant opportunity that’s attracted her to Rice (Women LEAD). Try to do that as often as you can throughout the essay, as doing so shows, in dating parlance, why you and Rice are perfect for each other.

Be specific. We’re talking about courses, professors, programs, opportunities, clubs, etc., that are unique to Rice—like this student’s mention of Women LEAD, President and Dean’s Study Breaks, and the Student Volunteer Program. And make sure to spell them correctly! 

Make it clear that Rice is unique, and say how. Admission officials don’t just want to know how you’d take advantage of their school’s offerings; they also want to know “why Rice” over other schools you may have applied to. So in addition to academic and extracurricular specifics, try to find one or two examples of an opportunity that you can’t find anywhere else, or in this student’s case (in the school’s support for student well-being), at only a few other schools. 

Show a range of interests. The broad scope of this prompt (“what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you”) is intentional. It’s not just asking about your chosen major or your academic interests; it’s probing for details about the breadth of your interests. Of course, with just 150 words, you don’t have a ton of space for the whole laundry list, so you’ll need to be judicious in choosing your range of reasons “why.” This student does a nice job of that in the short space allotted, pivoting from leadership opportunities (Women LEAD) to campus community (study breaks) to volunteer programs (Rice Student Volunteer Program and Saddleback Memorial) to an academic example (Baylor Patient Discharge Initiative).

Here are two more strong examples for Rice’s “Why us?” prompt:

At heart, I am a collaborator. From working with my Science Olympiad team for hundreds of hours each year to playing in numerous extracurricular orchestral ensembles, I’ve learned that the best work I do is with and for those around me. I want to study in the Rice Department of Bioengineering because of the large emphasis placed on collaboration. With its focus on multidisciplinary work and experiential learning, I know that I will be able to excel in Rice’s team-based environment, taking advantage of its small classes in order to forge tight bonds with my peers around me. Rice has more than 250 student organizations, and with access to the Texas Medical Center, a facility abounding with opportunities, and cutting edge research and technology on campus I know that at Rice, I will be able to fully pursue my interests both academically and collaboratively. — — — 

Just like the Owl camouflages to integrate into its environment, I’ll strive to become one with the Rice community by taking advantage of its numerous opportunities. While Basmati Beats will give me the platform to indulge my Indian roots in a collaborative form of dancing, I can continue imparting knowledge to others with Nano Owls. The opportunity to teach nanoscience to students in Houston will empower the vision I had with the D-STEM Society in my Dehli community. I’m looking forward to 3 days of absolute entertainment at OwlCon. With its 750 annual participants, I hope to share my passion for gaming with like-minded individuals. While The Rice Memorial Center will be my temporary home for 36 hours as I work on complex algorithms at the annual HackRice, The Hoot will always keep me company during exhausting all-nighters.  I hope to spread my wings and explore the night at Rice University. — — — 

how to write Rice Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

• The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? (500 words)
• Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? (500 words)

Option 1: Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System and undergraduate life are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural tradition each student brings. What life perspectives would you contribute to the Rice community? 500 word limit

It’s worth noting right out of the gate that Rice’s decision to give you a full 500 words for this essay, much more than the “Why us?” and “Why Major” prompts, is pretty telling. The school is proud of and committed to its culture of inclusion and collaboration, and this prompt offers you an opportunity to show how your own background would help you contribute in a meaningful and unique way. 

While there are many things outside of “community” that might fit this prompt, if you’re looking for a way to brainstorm ideas, that’s a good place to start. (But keep in mind that you’ll want to include some “how will you contribute” details in your essay—this isn’t just a “tell us about a community” prompt.)

For a full guide to “community” essays , head there, but here’s the short version:

STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT COMMUNITY YOU WANT TO WRITE ABOUT

Create a “communities” chart by listing all the communities you’re a part of. Keep in mind that communities can be defined by...

Place: groups of people who live/work/play near one another

Action: groups of people who create change in the world by building, doing, or solving something together (Examples: Black Lives Matter, Girls Who Code, March for Our Lives)

Interest: groups of people coming together based on shared interest, experience, or expertise

Circumstance: groups of people brought together either by chance or external events/situations

STEP 2: USE THE BEABIES EXERCISE TO GENERATE YOUR ESSAY CONTENT

You’ll find detail on the BEABIES Exercise + a chart you can use at that link.

STEP 3: DO SOME “HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE” RESEARCH

You’ll want to offer a few specific ways that show how the experience/s you’re discussing in your essay will allow you to contribute to the college. The easiest way to do this is to do some “Why Us”-like research and find ways you’ll engage with and contribute to the school’s community. 

STEP 4: PICK A STRUCTURE (NARRATIVE OR MONTAGE)

Step 5: write a first draft.

Check out this strong sample essay for this prompt, and we’ll analyze why it works on the other side.

What are you?  Mixed-race people and people of color get this question all the time. While a part of me wants to respond with “a bit tired, thanks for asking”, I usually just end up telling them I am half Indian, half European. I know that my ambiguous features, darker skin, and unusual name makes people uncertain about what my background is, and that in turn makes people uncomfortable -- they don't know what box to put me in. I am both Jewish and half-Indian, an unusual blend of cultures. Although I’m not particularly religious, I often see things from a Jewish point of view: Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah, peace and neighborly love, community and solidarity. I always strive to make my community a better place than it was initially, and to make sure that I stand with those that may be facing economic or social issues. My time as a counselor-in-training for a Jewish summer camp also helped me learn about other people’s interpretations of Jewish values from a wide range of ages, including from my fellow counselors. In addition, the Indian side of my family exposes me to a wide range of Indian culture, from the artwork in my grandparents house, to the stories from when my grandfather moved to America for school. Through this half of me, I have been able to experience, to a small extent, what it’s like to be seen as “different”. Even though I’ve never even been outside the United States, I’m still considered at least slightly foreign to most people. This helps me better empathize with people of color who may be facing much tougher questions than I ever was. The junction between these two identities gives me a unique intersectional identity that I can use to better empathize, communicate, and interact with other people. Intersectional identity is something that everyone has at some level, even if it isn’t apparent in their appearance. As someone who has a diverse set of experiences, I have a genuine curiosity for what intersectional identities other people have hidden away, and appreciate cultural exchanges with those around me. Even just sharing latkes or gulab jamun would allow me to share my side of the story, and can help open them up to new cultures. With the Residential College system, this not just becomes easier, but almost inevitable. Each residential college has its own traditions and culture (such as McMurtry’s association with bananas or Duncan’s Monday Night Lights), which add a unique aspect to their respective residents’ identities, creating an intersectional identity that enriches everyone’s experience. I can use my own background and understanding of identities to help broaden the perspectives of the others in my residential college, on top of letting other people teach me their traditions and perspectives. Everyone benefits from exposure to new ideas and perspectives, and I think that not only can I provide some of these ideas and perspectives, but I can also benefit from others. — — —

Communicate what matters to you. How do you do that? Consider connecting each contribution to a particular value (e.g., creativity, collaboration, social justice). Here’s a list of values you can use to generate some ideas or to connect with your 7-10 contributions. Reading back over this essay. Which values can you spot? We see a ton—family, community, love, empathy, curiosity, communication, and meaningful relationships, just to name a few.

Cover experiences or topics you haven’t shared yet. Think of your college application as a buffet table or sorts—from the carved roast beef (your obsession with computer coding, say) to the potato soufflé (that internship with Bloomberg or the LEED architectural firm) to the caramelized Brussel sprouts (your role as captain of the soccer team or second-chair violin) and assorted cheese (your finesse at chess or all the mountains you’ve hiked) and the chocolate mousse (that quirky knife-throwing hobby, maybe)—each dish/essay showing a different side (or multiple sides) of you and what makes you family-recipe unique. Think of what dish this essay contributes to the smorgasbord. Even though this prompt seems fairly specific in focusing on your cultural influences and experiences, use it as an opportunity to try to include parts of yourself that you haven’t yet talked about elsewhere in your Rice application. Maybe you haven’t written about your volunteering experience with your temple, or your love of knitting, handed down from your great-grandmother’s Nordic ancestors. Here’s a chance.

Use color and detail to “show” not just “tell.” This is good advice for other pieces you may be writing, since details can help breathe life into a piece of writing. For example, notice how this student didn’t just talk about sharing “my side of the story” over meals, but over “latkes or gulab jamun.” This is another good example of using color to tell the story: “In addition, the Indian side of my family exposes me to a wide range of Indian culture, from the artwork in my grandparents house, to the stories from when my grandfather moved to America for school.”

Make sure to bring it back to Rice and how you’ll contribute to the campus community. This is a key part of the prompt, the part that allows the Rice admission team to envision you on campus in a meaningful way. For this student, that means sharing how connecting with others over a shared “intersectional identity” becomes easier, thanks to signature traditions like the McMurtry hall’s obsession with bananas or Duncan’s Monday Night Lights.

Here’s another example for this prompt:

“I'd like a veggie bowl please. And would you mind changing your gloves?” That got me several weird looks. Some from customers around me, others from Chipotle employees across the counter. But I was used to it. Over the years of asking for a change of gloves or to cut with a clean knife, the weird looks have become normal. My strict vegetarian diet follows the principles of Jainism that run in my family, a direct result of my Indian-American identity. From a young age, I’ve been questioned for wearing a sacred rakhi thread on my wrist, or bringing in homemade Indian vegetarian food for lunch. The Indian side of me is omnipresent. In explaining these differences, I’ve sometimes felt as though being different has made me less than those who were “normal.” This obviously isn’t true, but it’s taken me a while to realize that. Meeting friends who embrace and value my ethnicity has helped me understand that what makes me different actually makes me a more complete person. Like in language classes, where I’ve been able to use my struggles to communicate effectively in a second language while visiting family in India to bolster my ability to communicate in Spanish during class. As a result of my experiences as an Indian-American, I’ve been committed to advancing inclusion in society. In addition to taking small, personal actions, I’ve participated in numerous activities that seek to understand and help alleviate social injustices, like Junior Leadership Dayton (JLD). Through JLD, I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic in a city with one of the highest rates of overdoses in the nation, and the struggles associated with rehabilitation. Talking to people in homeless shelters whose daily struggles exceeded what I had experienced in a lifetime, and helping underprivileged kids who grew up deprived of access to an education in the arts, I began to understand the magnitude of the issues that plague our society. I seek to include those around me regardless of their background, welcoming new freshmen in Science Olympiad, for example, or talking to the violist who might have otherwise sat by himself during rehearsal breaks. My experiences with those who have accepted me for who I am have led to my desire to promote an acceptance of others, something I’ll bring to Rice’s campus. — — — 

Option 2: Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? (500 words)

This prompt seems very likely intended as a response to the 2023 Supreme Court’s ruling on race conscious admissions, after which Rice sent out an email to their community stating that they remain committed to a diverse student body. 

To be clear, you can discuss any aspect of identity for this prompt—hence the background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity part. So, if experiences connected with your racial identity have shaped your perspective in some way, this can be a great place to share that with Rice. However, this prompt is broad enough that it allows for responses about background, experiences, and/or upbringing in general. 

Not only that, but it gives you enough space (500 words!) to touch on multiple aspects of your life if you’re wanting to touch more than one of these options. Essentially, Rice wants to know two things: how certain circumstances have shaped your perspectives (the main one) and how that’s inspired you to apply to/want to attend Rice.

Important note: If you go with this prompt, you’ll just want to make sure that you’re covering things that don’t already show up in your personal statement.

See below for strong sample essays and Tips + Analysis on what makes the following essays strong examples for this prompt.

In my childhood princess stories, I always gravitated toward sharp teeth and fiery breath over elegant gowns and noble knights. Growing up, I read and reread Ernest Drake’s Dragonology handbooks, dreaming of studying dragons alongside the author. My math notes from middle school (plus some from last month) have wings and toothy grins doodled in the margins. Although my current aspirations involve less winged lizards, I still look for inspiration in the bizarre and fantastical. During Chinese New Year, as a symbol of luck, children are given red envelopes decorated with Chinese characters or symbols with money inside. The dragons I found curled up on mine were nothing like those in classic fairytales. At first glance, eastern and western dragons seem nothing alike. In the west, dragons represent forces of fiery destruction, great challenges to be conquered. In the east, they represent prosperity to come and bring healing rain. However, both cultures associated dragons with great intelligence, wealth, and power. As a Chinese American, I often struggle to reconcile the halves of my cultural identity. But by adopting the values I most admire from each perspective, I can back the benevolence of Chinese dragons with the strength of European ones. Over the years, I’ve drawn more dragons than I care to remember, from crayon sketches to digital prints. As my drawing skills improved, I experimented with body type by taking inspiration from animal anatomy—some were built like bears and others birds. I began wondering if dragons could exist as animals. Applying realism to dragons, and later other fictional elements became a favorite pastime and got more complex as I progressed through school. Whether creating a cladogram for dragons, pondering biologically-created fire, or tackling the physics of flight, I found that exploring the science of fantasy strengthened my understanding of the subjects and gave me ideas on how to scientifically achieve the fantastic.  Some of the most innovative inventions were inspired by fictions like Star Trek and Jules Verne’s writing—the submarine, mobile phone, and the taser, to name a few. By refusing to discount the impossible or outlandish, I hope to bring a fresh perspective to my work and share my inspiration with the people around me. In addition to studying deeper into hotbeds of scientific breakthroughs straight from sci-fi like artificial intelligence, I hope to step out of my comfort zone in search of the strange. At Rice, I’ll embrace the traditions of whichever residential college I end up in with the spirit of a dragon. Through countless new experiences—auditioning for an improv group, participating in leadership programs from the Doerr Institute, or belting out karaoke with dormmates—I can expand my horizons and enrich my community along the way.  Maybe I’ll even pioneer a new field. “Jamie Tan, Dragonologist” has a nice ring to it. (465 words)

Cover a multitude of (new) experiences. 500 words is a lot, and nearly rivals the word count allotted for the personal statement, so you’ve got a lot of room to explore new aspects of yourself (not yet covered in your personal statement) that have shaped your perspectives. This student framed her essay in the context of dragons, but we learn so much about other sides of her: a little bit about her upbringing and her affinity for the fantastical, her Chinese American background and traditions, that she likes to draw and explore the science of fantasy, and how she hopes to approach her work in college. When brainstorming ideas for this essay, explore how the dots between different things in your life connect and you might just surprise yourself. 

Bring the reader into your world. If you’re writing about something you think a lot about or have a ton of knowledge of, don’t be afraid to show off some of your expertise. This student has clearly spent a lot of time thinking about dragons, she takes the reader through the differences between eastern versus western dragons and has us for a second think about biologically-created fire and flight physics. She brings us into her world by sharing her knowledge and thoughts with us.  

Organization matters. Especially for longer essays with a lot of information in them. This essay, given its length and the number of things covered, needs clear structure. So, the student uses a clear hook and topic sentences to both pull the reader in and give them a roadmap of where they’re going. 

How do you envision yourself as part of the community? At the end of her essay, this student writes about how she will embrace traditions of whichever residential college she ends up in with a dragon-like spirit and even mentions Rice’s Doerr Institute. While a majority of your response should focus on your experiences and how they have shaped your perspectives, dedicating a portion of that word count to talking about Rice shows that you’re envisioning yourself as part of their community and hits the part of the prompt that asks: What perspectives… inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? 

And here’s another example essay, to illustrate a different approach.

I am Pradyoth.  “Pra-dy-oth? Is that how you say it?” Embarrassed as my classmates stare at me, I sheepishly say, “It’s a soft D.” This exchange has happened so many times that I have basically given up on correcting other people. I used to wish I wasn’t given my name and even considered changing it. However, when I learned that “Pradyoth” means “radiance” or “light” in Telugu (the language that I grew up speaking) my perception of my name changed. My name became less of an impediment to get along with others and more of a reflection of me and my beliefs. Instead of focusing on people mispronouncing my name, I look at my name as a proud representation of my culture and strive to have a positive mindset in spite of challenges I might encounter in response to it. I am autistic.  When I was five years old, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. While on the high-functioning side of the spectrum, my condition inhibited my social abilities for a long time and prevented me from pursuing activities outside of music, which was one of the few activities I felt comfortable doing. However, with the help of my parents, teachers, and counselors, as well as my own hard work, I broke out of my shell and made several long-lasting friendships by gaining the courage to talk with people through trial and error. I had to learn to be patient with myself as I figured out how to navigate social interactions. While I still have a long way to go, I have made lots of progress since I was younger, and I consider this growth to be one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. I am community-oriented.  Once I felt like I understood others, I had a desire to connect with my community. Over the past few years, I have volunteered with several community organizations, including Kaiser Permanente, the Almaden Branch Library, and Carnatic Chamber Concerts. These experiences have not only allowed me to experience the satisfaction that comes from helping others, but to also play an active role in improving my community. In our volunteer meetings at the library, we frequently have discussions about how to strengthen our community by getting teens involved in politics and improving the library’s services. Some of our suggestions, such as improving the children’s section, have actually been implemented. Through these experiences, I have gained the skills and knowledge to meaningfully connect with my community and to make changes that help others. I am Pradyoth. I am a teenager who has had my fair share of challenges and successes over time, and I am a more accepting, patient, and motivated person because of them. At Rice, I hope to share my perspectives with others and take theirs into account as well, so that, together, we can create a stronger community. (477 words) — — —

how to write Rice Supplemental Essay Prompts #4 & #5: Rice Architecture

It’s fair to say that Rice is super interested in your reasons for applying to its architecture program, and why you think you’re the right fit — and it’s giving you ample space to explain. The key is to share a diverse set of reasons and experiences, while avoiding too much repetition.

“Yeah, right,” you say? “How do I write about different things, when both prompts seem to be asking me about the same thing—my interest in studying architecture?”

We get it. It does seem a little redundant, but it doesn’t have to be. It may help to approach each prompt this way:

#4 Architecture Essay Prompt: Why are you determined to study architecture? Could you please elaborate on your past experiences and how they have motivated you to apply to Rice University and the School of Architecture in particular? (250 words max)

Think of this as your classic “Why Major” prompt, in the way that Prompt 1 wasn’t for you. In that prompt, you got to focus on those other academic areas that appeal to you at Rice. This time, it’s all about the architectural program. See Prompt 1 tips for more guidance.

A key part of this prompt is to “elaborate on your past experiences” and connect them to why you chose to apply to Rice in general and the architecture program specifically. How do you do that? Consider using a montage structure, which means making a list of 3-5 architecture-related experiences you’ve had and the influence each had in motivating you to pick Rice. For example—just spitballing here—maybe that community college course, The Politics of Architecture and How They Shaped Europe, made you see the friezes of the Parthenon and the Fachwerkhäusers of Germany in a whole new light, and now you’re eager to take Rice’s The Metropolis course to learn how the architect of today influences urban design as a public figure. Find a handful of examples like that, weaving your experiences and Rice’s offerings together, and you’ve got yourself an essay.

If you have multiple academic reasons for “why architecture,” from classes to teachers who inspired you to school-based projects, use them in this essay, since the next one asks about non-academic influences. If you don’t have those examples, no sweat. We have some recommendations for other outside-the-classroom examples that may prompt some ideas—read those in the tips for Prompt 5 below.

#5 Architecture Essay Prompt: Please expand on relevant experiences and motivations outside of your academic trajectory that have inspired you to study architecture, focusing on aspects that are not accommodated by other prompts in the application. (250 words max)

Think of this one as your “Okay, what else you got?” essay—a Rice School of Architecture additional information section, if you will. Anything else that comes to mind that inspired you to want to be an architect that you haven’t already covered? This is the place to talk about it.

In this one, though, you don’t have to connect your experiences back to Rice. You’ve got that covered in Prompt 4.

Note that this one specifically asks about details and examples “outside of your academic trajectory.” So leave the classroom, coursework and school-related projects to Prompt 4. So what goes here in response to Prompt 5? Maybe those visits to Monticello in Virginia or The Getty in LA made a mark, or your favorite part of a trip is to explore area churches, just to admire the spires and domes and intricate detail of the icons and columns. Anything to show why architecture is your thing.

Still stumped? Feel like you’ve covered all the architecture you can think of? Pull back the lens a bit and think about what architecture means to you in the larger sense—not just buildings and urban landscapes, but collaborative spaces or the chance to build a sense of community you’ve long enjoyed in your own town. Or maybe one of your parents is handy around the house, and the extra room you helped them carpet or the fence you helped them build inspired in you an appreciation for the creativity and precision that go into even the small details of a structure. 

Now comes the fun part of the Rice application. No more essays to outline. No more words to fuss over. No more grammar checks. Just one two-dimensional, uploadable image that, in Rice’s words, “shares something about yourself, your interests or what is meaningful to you.”

Don’t have any idea what to do here? Here’s what not to do: Don’t fret over it. Rice’s admission page points out that this image is not used in the evaluation process. It’s just another chance to get to know what matters to you, a chance to “put your stamp on the application about who you are aside from what you have achieved.” The only real advice Rice offers is to make sure the image can stand alone without explanation. 

The possibilities really could run the gamut: a photo of you and your pet, your childhood home, a scene from a favorite trip, a creation you built or drew, your bookcase—even a photo from your phone that speaks to you, and about you. Or it could be something totally different. Realize that this doesn’t have to be an image you took yourself. It could be a Monet, the Rover’s view of Mars—even a meme. 

A few last tips:

Don’t overthink it.

Do have fun with it.

Keep it clean.

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays? Click here

Special thanks to Elica Sue for contributing to this post.

Elica (she/her) is a college essay specialist who has a love of language in all forms; she has degrees in linguistics, has taught academic writing at the university level, and has been coaching students on their college and graduate school admissions essays for over 7 years. When she’s not working with students or writing, Elica can be found reading, printmaking, and exploring nature. 

Top Values: Collaboration | Curiosity | Patience

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How to Get Into Rice University: Strategies and Essays That Worked

How hard is it to get into rice university learn admissions requirements and acceptance rates, plus how to write successful rice supplemental essays.

learn how to get into rice university

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: rice university admission requirements, part 3: applying to rice early decision vs. regular decision, part 4: 2024–2025 rice supplemental essays (examples included), part 5: frequently asked questions.

Your child has worked hard and excelled in high school, so now you’re exploring what colleges would be the right fit—somewhere prestigious where they’ll be both valued and challenged. You’re considering Ivy League and Ivy+ universities, but also expanding your search to other selective schools. If your child dreams of making an impact and would thrive in a close-knit, spirited community, they might be a perfect candidate for Rice University . 

Founded in 1912, Rice may seem young compared to Ivies or schools in the Northeast, but its Byzantine-style architecture creates a wise, established feel to the campus. Rice is also rich in tradition—including its residential college system. Every new undergraduate student is assigned to one of eleven residential colleges. Each college has its own dorms, dining halls, shared public spaces, and a revered set of customs. 

The residential college system contributes to social and academic life at Rice. Each college elects its own student government officials, resulting in more potential leadership roles than you’d find at other colleges. The student leaders will arrange lecture series and innovative course opportunities for the members of their college, as well as social events and service activities.

In the classroom, Rice emphasizes research, teaching, and service in its curriculum, with practical application centered on improving the surrounding Houston community. While some colleges seem to exist in an insular “bubble,” Rice students learn to engage their city—both for cultural enrichment and for social activism. 

Sometimes referred to as the “Harvard of Texas,” Rice has become more challenging to get into than some Ivy League institutions. It attracts a large number of high-achieving Texas students, as well as competitive applicants from all over the world. 

Getting into Rice means accessing a world-class academic and social experience. On any given day, a Rice student might discuss the rising temperature of Earth with a Guggenheim Fellow, walk to the DiverseWorks museum for the latest innovative exhibit, grab fresh produce from the Rice Farmer’s Market, then deliver a health education program to local refugee communities. 

And after Rice? The ambition and integrity instilled by four years at Rice will follow your child to any successful career field or further graduate study. Rice graduates use their leadership and analytical thinking skills to improve communities, make groundbreaking scientific advances, and become society’s greatest leaders.

Want to know exactly what it takes to get into America’s most selective colleges?

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Rice University ranking

U.S. News & World Report: 17

Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 119 (globally) 18 (within the U.S. as of 2022)

Where is Rice University located? 

Rice is located in Houston, Texas—a large, metropolitan city known for being the capital of space exploration (“Houston, we have a problem”). But beyond the NASA Space Center, Houston boasts a vibrant museum district containing nineteen museums, offering a wide range of exhibits to enjoy. It might surprise you to know Houston also possesses the second-largest theater district in the country (following Broadway in New York City).

Summers in Houston tend to get humid, but with a wide selection of beaches thirty minutes away, residents can easily beat the heat—and enjoy the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. To experience a dynamic music scene and world-renowned Texas barbecue, Austin is the perfect weekend getaway, only a three-hour drive west. 

For the same three-hour drive time, students can take a trip to remember Mexican-American history by exploring the Alamo in San Antonio. Or head north to Waco where they can shop and relax at Magnolia Market Silos—the perfect source of inspiration for decorating a dorm room. 

Rice University setting

Rice is located on a 300-acre campus in Houston’s urban museum district directly across the street from both the Houston Zoo and the Texas Medical Center. Even though the Houston area houses over forty colleges and universities, you won’t experience the “college town feel” here. Houston is the fourth-largest city in America, and Rice sits near the heart of it.

Houston’s adult population is largely composed of millennials with young children. Because of its diversity, fair taxes, low expenses, and high salary potential, it’s becoming a popular city for professional adults. 

As more professionals and young families migrate to Houston, trendy coffee shops and restaurants have followed, leaving Rice students with no shortage of places to explore, many within a short walk from campus.

Rice student population

Undergraduate students: 4,562

Graduate students: 3,909

In March 2021, Rice announced that it plans to gradually increase the size of its student body over the next few years. By Fall 2025, Rice aims to enroll approximately 4,800 undergraduates and 9,000 graduate students in order to meet growing demand for a Rice education.

Rice University acceptance rate

Below are admissions statistics for the class of 2027 :

Applications: 31,059

Acceptances: 2,447

Matriculants: 1,125

Acceptance rate: 7.9%

Here’s what we know so far about the incoming class of 2028 :

Applications: 32,459

Acceptances: 2,439

Acceptance rate: 7.51%

Rice tuition and scholarships

The 2024–2025 cost of attendance at Rice (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $86,279.

Rice meets 100 percent of demonstrated need for all students, including those hailing from abroad. 53 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid, and the aid award for first-year students is $59,724. 75 percent of Rice students graduate debt-free .

Who gets into Rice?

We’ve compiled admissions and demographics statistics so you can assess your child’s chances of earning an acceptance from Rice. Let’s review the profile of the class of 2027:

GPA: Rice doesn’t release the average GPA of its accepted students.

Rice average ACT score:

25th percentile: 34

75th percentile: 36

Rice average SAT score:

25th percentile: 1500

75th percentile: 1560

International students: 13%

Texas residents: 35%

27% identify as white and 34% identify as Asian American. The next largest group is Hispanic or Latino students, who comprise 21% of the freshman class. African American students make up 9%.

About 36 percent of students at Rice University study within the engineering school. The next most popular schools are natural sciences and social sciences with approximately 26 percent of students each.

Rice academic requirements

Although Rice doesn’t list a minimum GPA needed in order to apply, academic GPA is considered a “very important” factor in students’ admission decisions. Also listed as “very important” are factors such as extracurriculars, talents, and character—indicating an emphasis on holistic admissions.

The students with the best chances of getting into Rice will demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to community through their high school career. Their extracurricular activities will prove they possess strong leadership skills and the ability to work well with others. Volunteer work or personal projects devoted to meeting community needs will also help students stand out as competitive applicants. 

The rigor of a student’s high school coursework is an important factor in admission consideration. So students who challenge themselves by taking AP, IB, or Honors coursework— even at the risk of getting a “B” instead of an “A” —will have stronger likelihoods of getting into Rice.

Rice requires the following high school coursework:

English: 4 credits

Social studies: 2 credits

Mathematics: 3 credits

Laboratory science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics): 2 credits

Foreign language: 2 credits

Additional credits in any of the categories above: 3 credits

If your child is applying to the natural sciences or engineering schools, they must complete trigonometry or precalculus, chemistry, and physics.

Rice application requirements

Here are Rice’s undergraduate admissions requirements:

Common App Essay

Rice supplemental essays

Optional in 2024–2025: SAT or ACT scores

Optional: SAT Subject Tests

Optional: AP or IB test results

Two teacher letters of recommendation . One should be related to your child’s planned major.

One counselor recommendation

School report, high school transcript, and midyear report.

Optional: Admission interview

If your child is applying to the school of music, an audition profile form or performance recording is required.

If your child is applying to the architecture school, a portfolio and additional supplemental essays are required.

Rice also accepts the Coalition Application .

Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.

Gain instant access to 25 exclusive full-length examples covering all seven prompts, plus comprehensive analyses for each to help you craft stellar essays.

The deadline to submit an early decision application to Rice is November 1st. Students who apply early decision will be notified in mid-December if they’ve been accepted, deferred, or rejected. Deferred applicants will be reconsidered with the regular decision applicant pool and will receive a second decision of either accepted or rejected . 

To improve their chances of being later accepted, deferred applicants can submit significant new information—changes in circumstance or major accomplishments—to the Rice admissions office. 

Students who are accepted through early decision must attend Rice and withdraw their applications from all other schools. Applicants can only decline an early decision acceptance if they’re not offered a financial aid award that makes it possible for them to attend. Since Rice meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need, this situation isn’t likely.

Chances of getting into Rice with an ED application are slightly higher than through regular decision— 16.5% vs. 7% —but it’s still a competitive process.

The regular decision application deadline is January 4th.

How do you know if your child should apply to Rice early decision?

Your child should submit an early decision application to Rice if it is their top school AND their application is strong before the November 1st deadline. 

If your child’s essays need more time or their standardized test scores need improvement to be competitive, it would be better to wait. Applying regular decision with a strong application offers a better chance of getting accepted than applying early decision with a weak one.

(Recommended reading: Early Action vs. Early Decision: Pros and Cons and What Your Child Should Do )

In addition to the Common App personal statement, Rice University requires three supplemental essays and one image to complete its application. With so many high-achieving students applying to Rice, these essays help the admissions team identify who will be the best fit for the community and who will contribute in a meaningful way. 

Your child’s success in these essays will play a crucial role in their chances of getting into Rice. It’s important to share new information in these statements, rather than repeat an achievement discussed in the Common App Essay or elsewhere on the application. The goal of the supplemental essays is for the application reader to gain a strong understanding of who your child is and a conviction they’re needed as part of the Rice community. 

Below are the Rice supplemental essay prompts, as well as examples and breakdowns of each statement’s important components. 

Rice supplemental essay prompts

Question 1: Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. (150 word limit.)

This statement prompt combines “Tell us about your major” with “Why us?,” even if it’s not explicitly obvious. It would be a mistake to write only about academic goals without demonstrating knowledge of and interest in Rice specifically. 

Your child should start by doing significant research on what academic majors and programs at Rice most align with their career goals. Rice has a heavy focus on research—75 percent of undergrads participate—so your child would be wise to find and mention current research projects they would like to join.

With such a small word count, including a powerful personal story isn’t possible, but your child has enough space to write an impactful statement containing three main components:

A clear answer to the prompt

Evidence and specifics to support the thesis

Thoughtful self-reflection

Let’s meet our example student and see how he chose to respond to this prompt.

Miguel grew up in a coastal community and has a passion for environmental conservation—specifically the ocean. He’s excelled in his high school science courses, including biology, environmental science, and marine biology. He also took a community college Philosophy course over the summer and has been involved in political activism during high school. 

Here’s what Miguel wrote:

I plan to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice. I fear the ocean I love is disappearing, and I am committed to protecting it. Starting the Ocean Project Club to raise awareness and clean beaches was a start, but I can do more. At Rice, I hope to join the Egan Lab research project focusing on conservation genetics. I am inspired by the undergrad who tracked fish species in the ocean using environmental DNA. I hope to develop a similar project that expands our understanding of the ocean’s endangered populations. But science alone cannot save the environment—public opinion and policy need to align, too. I plan to minor in Philosophy to better understand the social problems preventing change. I want to join the Civic Duty Rice Club to educate and inspire youth to join the fight as political activists. Together we can preserve our resources and my beloved ocean.

What did Miguel do well? 

He is clear about his academic interests and career goals. He shows how he’s pursued his passion already in high school and outlines a research goal he’d like to accomplish as an undergrad.

He demonstrates his extensive knowledge of Rice’s Natural Science department, referencing a specific lab he’s interested in and a senior thesis he admires. He also names a club he’d like to join, showing he plans to be active in student life.

He exhibits his well-roundedness by stating his desire to minor in Philosophy. This indicates he’ll be involved in multiple academic programs at Rice.

Question 2: Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 word limit.)

Question 3: Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community:

The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? (500 word limit.)

Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

Gain instant access to essay examples for every supplemental essay prompt from the top universities and BS/MD programs in the United States. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.

Rice supplemental image requirement: “Rice Box”

One of Rice's long-standing traditions is “The Box,” a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them. The Box gives you the opportunity to present us with an image that shares something about yourself, your interests or what is meaningful to you. This image is not used for evaluative purposes in the application, but allows you to put your stamp on the application about who you are aside from what you have achieved. Be sure to choose an image that speaks for itself and does not need an explanation. The Box must be a two-dimensional image that is uploaded in the Common Application or the Coalition Application, or uploaded in the Rice Admission Student Portal.

On the surface, this prompt seems fun and relaxed—it’s a break from the strenuous effort your child poured into their supplemental essays. But they should still put some thought into what image to use and what it communicates to the admissions committee. 

Your child can use the image to reveal something new about their interests or goals—perhaps sharing a deeper insight into their reach-for-the-stars dream. If your child’s ultimate goal is playing with the London Symphony Orchestra, they can upload a photo of the concert hall or a poster advertising a performance. 

Your child doesn't have to use a career-related image, however, if they’ve expressed their career goals well in other parts of the application. Consider which of these other options might provide significant meaning or inspiration to your child:

A childhood toy

A meaningful object

A favorite place

A treasured book

A family member

A role model—historical or current

This prompt offers your child the chance to show a bit more of their personality, but they shouldn’t use an image that doesn't make sense with the overall theme of their application. Remember, they can’t add any words to the image. They don’t want to leave members of the admissions team scratching their heads over what the image is or what it means about your child.

Can an average student get into Rice?

It is difficult for an average student to gain acceptance into Rice University, but by no means impossible. As noted above, the acceptance rate for the most recent class of 2028 is only 7.51 percent meaning that many impressive students are also turned away.

However, keep in mind that while Rice’s average standardized test scores are quite high, these are just averages. Even students with scores below those averages get in, but if your child’s grades and test scores happen to be lower than the averages listed here, they’ll need to stand out in other ways on their application.

Perhaps there was a life experience that dented their GPA that they could highlight in their essays being careful to note what they’ve learned in the process and how it has made them a stronger student in the long run. Otherwise, they could point to other qualities that make them a great fit for Rice such as a deep interest in a particular program as demonstrated through their extracurricular activities.

What kind of students does Rice University look for?

Rice seeks academically gifted students, but beyond test scores and GPAs, the admissions committee is seeking curious individuals with diverse perspectives that will enhance Rice’s unique campus community.

Rice’s community is known to be collaborative and innovative. Students who do well in an interdisciplinary environment will also do well at Rice. Additionally, Rice seeks students with resilience and adaptability as with their rigorous academic environment students will need to be able to overcome many challenges along the way.

Your child should consider how they can showcase these qualities in their essays and extracurriculars to help them stand out within the pool of Rice applicants.

Does Rice interview everyone?

Rice does not interview all applicants. They state that an interview is “optional and not guaranteed.” This is because in years with a high interview request rate, they may be incapable of meeting all requests.

However, whether or not your child receives an interview will have no bearing on the final admissions decision. An interview is merely an opportunity for a student to learn more about Rice and communicate academic interests to the interviewer. Interviews are conducted by current Rice students or Rice Alumni Volunteers, not individuals on the admissions committee.

Final thoughts

Rice University is an excellent fit for students looking to combine a top-quality education with an intentional community experience—all in a unique, vibrant location. While admission is highly competitive, following the guidelines we’ve shared on how to get into Rice will make your child a strong candidate. 

About the Author

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

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Complete guide to successful rice university essays.

Rice University, considered the Ivy of the South, requires students to submit supplemental essays with their applications. Some of the prompts are the standard ones that most colleges use, and others are more unique to Rice. Let’s look at how to approach each of these topics.

How to Write the Short Essays for Rice

Short Essay #1 : Extracurricular Activity

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 word limit)

If this is your first college application, then you get the joy of writing an essay that will be recycled for most of your other applications. Indeed, the extracurricular prompt is one of the most common ones, but it still requires a concerted effort to perfect the message.

What should you say? In general, try to highlight an extracurricular that's not already prominent in your application. A lot of students write about music, volunteering, running an organization, or a hobby.

Topic examples:

Learning cello

Volunteering at a hospital

Playing soccer

Interning at a tech startup

Leading a coding camp for youth

At the end of the day, there are only so many variations of the extracurricular, so don’t beat yourself up trying to find the most unique and perfect one. It’s about execution.

So how should you organize your extracurricular response?

Paragraph #1 : Introduce extracurricular (what it is, what key skill or wisdom you gained from it, or why you like it).

Paragraph #2 : Describe a key moment (yes, just ONE moment).

Paragraph #3 Conclude briefly with what you get out of the extracurricular or how the key moment affected you.

Short Essay #2 : Why This Major?

There is a breadth of intellectual opportunities here at Rice. Further explain your intended major and other areas of academic focus you may explore. (150 word limit)

This prompt is another common one among colleges. (In fact, you can most likely recycle what you say in this response in another college's essay.) One thing to consider is that Rice is also curious about "other areas of academic interest." This would be a good opportunity to highlight (if possible) your interdisciplinary mind, something that top-tier colleges love.

What’s the format recommendation?

Paragraph #1 (3-4 sentences): Introduce your interest in the subject and what specific area you want to pursue more. Ex: How you got interested in medicine (maybe a scene?) and what you specifically want to do in medicine (neurobiology?).

Paragraph #2 (2-3 sentences): Explain how you will pursue that subject at Rice. Ex: labs, research, etc.

Paragraph #3 (2-3 sentences): Mention how you will explore other academic interests (say one), and then say how the major and other interest tie together. Ex: Study history to understand diverse cultures you will be servicing in the future as a doctor.

Short Essay #3 : Why Rice?

What aspects of the Rice undergraduate experience excite you and led you to apply? (150 word limit)

This is a “Why Our School?” essay. Notice, however, that Rice frames it as "undergraduate experience," allowing you to focus on a wide variety of topics. Still, students typically have similar reasons for why they were led to apply:

Good academic program

Professor(s)

Rice student body and culture

Resources, such as labs, alumni network, extracurricular programs

Again, it will come down to execution. Don’t worry about having a super unique angle. Just write a quality response.

How should you structure your response?

Paragraph #1 (1-2 sentences): Introduce what in general about Rice excites you and led you to apply.

Paragraph #2 (3-4 sentences): Explain what ONE main thing got you to excited about applying to Rice.

Paragraph #3 (1-2 sentences): Conclude by summarizing points, calling back paragraph #1 , and/or highlighting what about Rice excites you.

How to Write the Rice Perspective Essay

The quality of Rice’s academic life and the Residential College System are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What perspective would you contribute to life at Rice? (500 word limit)

This topic is not as common as the previous ones, but you may be able to recycle content from other essays (as long as Rice doesn’t see those essays too). If you have written (or plan to write) one of the Apply Texas essays, you could potentially use ideas from there.

Still, it’s important to know just how you should approach this essay. First things first, you need to know what exactly is your perspective.

Here is a sample of perspectives:

Life as a “minority within a minority”

Beauty of living with less

Empathetic leadership

Being ethical when it’s socially hard to do so

Acting as the “diplomat” among peers

The perspective can really be any view or wisdom you have gained from an experience, so there should be a lot of variation among students and you should be able to come up with something more unique to your life.

How should you structure the perspective essay?

Part 1 (1-2 paragraphs): Begin with a hook scene that introduces whatever event you want to discuss in the essay. Introduce your perspective and the story you will tell.

Part 2 (2-3 paragraphs): Tell the story of an event that developed your unique perspective. Have a beginning, middle, and end.

Part 3 (1-2 paragraphs): Explain how your unique perspective will be used at Rice.

How to Respond to Rice University’s “The Box” Tradition

In keeping with Rice’s long-standing tradition (known as “The Box”), please share an image of something that appeals to you.

Okay, so “The Box” is not an essay, but you still should be strategic with your response. There is definitely no wrong pictures, but try to avoid the clichés.

What are some common pictures?

Family and friends

School events or extracurriculars

Pictures that symbolize hobbies or interests

Scenery or landscapes

None of these images are inherently bad, and in many cases, students choose the best versions of these ideas. So just make sure whatever you are adding to the box is meaningful, and definitely write a caption to give the image context.

Don't let a poor Rice essay supplement prevent you from going to the "Ivy of the South." Maximize your chances for acceptance with our college admissions essay services . We can help you be "owl" you can be!

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5 Tips for Writing the Perfect Rice Essay Supplement

College Essays

Rice University is one of the top 20 universities in the nation , and to get in, you need more than just awesome grades and test scores—you need a compelling Rice essay. The Rice application requires several essays depending on the school you're applying to at the university. So what should you write about for each Rice essay to make your application as strong as it can be?

We'll explain what the Rice supplement is and go over the Rice University essay prompts you'll see on your application. Then, we'll give you expert tips on how to answer each essay prompt so you'll have an even better shot at getting accepted to this prestigious university!

Feature Image: faungg's photos /Flickr

What Is the Rice Supplement?

Like many colleges, Rice has a supplement that requires applicants to submit additional info to the school—that is, info not included in the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir .

The Rice writing supplement consists of several essay and short answer prompts, which most undergraduate applicants (though not all—we'll explain this in more detail shortly) must answer for their applications. These supplementary questions ask about applicants' choice of academic field, reasons for applying to Rice, and so on.

In addition, as part of the Rice supplement, all applicants must upload an image that depicts something that appeals to them or is important to them . This requirement, called "The Box," isn't an essay, but it plays just as important a role in the application process. So choose a picture wisely!

Once you've answered all these questions and uploaded an image, you can submit your Rice supplement along with the rest of your application.

What exactly are the Rice University essay prompts you need to answer? Let's take a look.

What Are the Rice University Essay Prompts?

There are six Rice University essay prompts in total ; however, feel free to relax a little since you won't need to respond to all these prompts on your application. This is because the Rice University essay prompts you must answer will vary depending on the school you're applying to at Rice .

Below are all the current Rice University essay prompts, organized by what types of applicants are required to answer which ones.

All Applicants

There are four essays that all applicants must submit to Rice.

The first of these is a personal essay that responds to one of the essay prompts provided by either the Common App or Apply Coalition with Scoir (depending on which system you're using). This essay should be about 500–550 words long and must be no longer than 650 words.

Both the Common App and Apply Coalition include several essay prompts from which you can choose. We won't be listing those prompts here, but you can find them in our guides to the Common App and Coalition App essay prompts .

In addition to the Common App or Apply Coalition personal essay, all applicants must submit three short answers as part of the Rice supplement . Your answers to the first two of these questions will be much shorter than your personal essay, at just 150 words max per response.

Here are the first two short-answer prompts:

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above.

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?

The third supplemental essay is longer, at 500 words max , and you'll need to choose between two prompts to answer:

Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community: Option 1: The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? Option 2: Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

If you're into architecture, you'll need to answer these next two Rice University essay prompts.

School of Architecture Applicants ONLY

Applicants to the Rice School of Architecture must submit all of the above PLUS two more short answers (again, these are part of the Rice supplement). Your answer to each question must be no longer than 250 words , giving you a little more space to work with compared with the two short-answer questions above.

Here are the current Rice University essay prompts for School of Architecture applicants:

All Rice University Essay Prompts, Analyzed

Now that we've seen all the Rice University essay prompts, let's analyze them one at a time to see how you can answer them effectively.

Rice Supplement 1: Short Answer (All Applicants)

This first short answer wants you to summarize your (main) intended field of study as well as any other fields you're interested in studying at Rice. It's a deceptively simple prompt that's about a lot more than just what you plan to study at Rice.

The crux of this essay isn't just summarizing your major—it's explaining why you've chosen this field and why Rice specifically will be a good fit for your goals and interests .

Here are the questions this prompt is really asking you to answer:

• Why do you want to study this particular field?
• Why do you think Rice is a good fit for you and your academic interests?

As you write your response, try to focus on specifics . Don't just say you've always had an interest in writing stories. What specifically drove you to declare a major in English? For instance, you could discuss your deep fascination with Shakespeare, specifically with Macbeth , and how you're excited about Rice's array of Shakespeare-centered classes .

If you have enough space (remember that your answer can only be 150 words max), you could also (or instead) elaborate on what you plan to do with your intended major after college and how Rice will help you achieve this goal . If you're hoping to study music, for example, you could write about how you believe Rice's Navigating Music Careers portal and accomplished music faculty will help prepare you for establishing a successful career in music.

If you're still undecided about what you want to major in, this is a great time to explain what kinds of fields you're considering studying and why they intrigue you. Maybe you recently developed an interest in architecture after seeing the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis and are now thinking of taking some architecture classes at Rice.

Whatever the case, be clear about what you (might) want to study and why .

What do you want to study at Rice—and why?

Rice Supplement 2: Short Answer (All Applicants)

Unlike the prompt above, this prompt is not limited to academics (though you are welcome to talk about those here as well, as long as you don't repeat anything you wrote for your other short answer). Basically, Rice just wants to know this: why Rice?

This prompt is actually a variation of the "why this college?" essay , which many colleges ask for in their applications. Specifically, this prompt is asking you to focus on why Rice is an ideal fit for you .

Here are some examples of topics you could write about:

• A particular academic program or major you're interested in doing, possibly one that's not offered elsewhere or is somewhat rare
• The small community atmosphere at Rice and the fun activities and traditions it offers students , such as O-Week and Beer Bike
• The diversity of the Rice student body and why this positive, blended environment would be ideal for you as a student
• Its urban location in Houston and how you intend to use the resources of the big city to further your academic or professional interests
• A certain professor or faculty member whom you wish to work with

Remember to be specific —don't just say you're interested in Rice because it's known for quality research or because it's ranked highly on many "best colleges" lists. What specific features does Rice have that made you apply?

If you're not sure what to write about for this Rice essay, I recommend doing some research on Rice. Start by visiting the official Rice website to see what the school offers in terms of academics, extracurricular activities, professional opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, etc. You can read more about anything that sticks out to you or resonates with your interests.

You can also refer to community-based websites, such as College Confidential and Reddit , to see what current students have to say about life at Rice.

Rice Supplement 3: Essay (All Applicants)

The third essay in the Rice supplement offers a choice of two prompts. Aside from the Common App or Apply Coalition with Scoir personal essay, this is the longest Rice essay you'll write for your application .   You have a limit of 500 words , which should give you plenty of space to delve into the details of yourself and what you'll contribute to the community at Rice.

So what are these prompts asking you to do exactly? Both options are essentially a diversity essay prompt . But let's discuss one prompt at a time.

Option 1: The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?

Option 1 basically has two parts: the first asks what makes you different from other applicants and what qualities you bring to Rice. The second part focuses on Rice's residential college system , which is founded on the principles of diversity and community; that part of the prompt asks you to describe how your cultural background or past experience will shape your contribution to your assigned residential college.

Note the significance of the word "unique" in the prompt here—this is the crux of what you should write about in your essay. What specific distinctive qualities do you have that you think will make a positive contribution to the Rice community?

Here are some sample topics you could write about for this Rice essay:

• A particular skill you have —for example, maybe you often play classical guitar music to calm down your younger sibling at home, and you think this skill could help students (and yourself) feel better during finals week at Rice
• A positive personality trait you have , such as optimism or dedication, and how this trait has helped you in life and could help you and others at Rice as well
• A cultural, religious, or ethnic background you have that is important to you in your daily life and that you feel will help increase the diversity at Rice
• Any unique experiences that are significant to you or have had a major impact on how you define yourself —perhaps you've lived in many countries and believe these experiences of constantly having to adapt to new cultures and lifestyles might help you (and others!) with transitioning to life at Rice

Option 2: Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

Option 2, meanwhile, asks you to share how at least one aspect of your background or identity—whether you define that by your race, ethnicity, spirituality, sex or gender, sexual orientation, how you were raised, or a particular experience—has shaped your worldview. It then asks you to explain and why that perspective makes you want to attend Rice specifically.

With this essay, keep in mind the particular use of the phrase "change agents."  The university is representing itself as a community of students who want to make a difference in the world, so given your upbringing, experiences, values, or identity, in what  specific  are would you like to have a positive impact? For example, does being a first-generation college student inspire you to become a peer mentor with Rice's Student Success Initiatives ? Did volunteering at a food bank every Thanksgiving with your family make you passionate about the service learning component of the university's Program in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities?

Whether you choose option 1 or 2 for this third supplemental essay, keep in mind the following:

Make sure to show, not tell. You've got plenty of room to be able to tell a compelling story, so try not to rely on dull descriptions, clichés, and general, all-encompassing statements. Rather, fill your story with personality, voice, images, and realism. Using a variety of literary devices can add lots of color to your writing and will help your essay stand out.

In addition, don't repeat anything you've already written in your Common App or Apply Coalition with Scoir essay. The essays required for both application systems are similar to the Rice essay above in that they're all longer and more personal. Write about something different for each so you don't sound as though only a single thing defines you.

Rice Supplement 4: Short Answer (Architecture Applicants ONLY)

Why are you determined to study architecture? Could you please elaborate on your past experiences and how they have motivated you to apply to Rice University and the School of Architecture in particular?

This prompt is similar to the first short-answer supplemental prompt in that it's asking you to elaborate on your chosen major (in this case, architecture) and why you're interested in it. For this essay, however, you don't need to focus on architecture as a major as much as you do on architecture as a passion .

In other words, this is your chance to tell the story of how you developed a deep interest in architecture and what architecture means to you .

For this Rice essay, and as the prompt says, you can focus on aspirations (i.e., what goals do you have and how does architecture fulfill these?), experiences (i.e., did a particular incident make you develop an interest in architecture?), and relationships (i.e., who, if anyone, inspired you to study the field?).

Here are some potential topics you could write about:

• A particular person, such as a parent or teacher , who introduced you to architecture, and how this person influences you today (if applicable)
• A design or architecture class you took , either at school or as an extracurricular, and how this class made you become interested in architecture
• A research project you did , whether specifically about architecture or not, and how it drew you into wanting to learn more about architecture and its various applications
• A certain piece of architecture , such as the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building, you either saw in person or learned about and that made you want to study the field further

In your essay, use specific details and avoid clichéd openings , such as "I knew I wanted to study architecture when…" The admissions committee at Rice has more than likely heard these types of overly broad statements hundreds, if not thousands, of times, so avoid them!

This is one cliché you'll definitely want to avoid in your Rice essay.

Rice Supplement 5: Short Answer (Architecture Applicants ONLY)

Please expand on relevant experiences and motivations outside of your academic trajectory that have inspired you to study architecture, focusing on aspects that are not accommodated by other prompts in the application.

This is an interesting essay prompt since it's so much broader than the other one you have to respond to as an architecture applicant to Rice. The purpose of this prompt is to reveal to Rice what types of activities you're interested or engaged in (outside of architecture) and what role they play in your fascination with architecture .

Think about what you do in your spare time, what you're passionate about, and possibly what you are obligated to do (e.g., chores or duties at work). Are there any activities you do that you find fun but also intellectually or physically challenging? Are you particularly invested in an activity?

Don't be afraid to get really creative and honest here —you're allowed to write about an activity that's unconventional, eccentric, "boring," or even plain goofy. Just make sure you're also giving the admissions committee deeper insight into something about you , such as how you flourish when competing against your own times in cross-country races or how you calm yourself down by watching urban planning YouTube videos every evening. Ultimately, you want to highlight a personal hobby or motivation that has contributed to your interest in architecture .

• Your love of design  and how toys you used to play with as a child, such as LEGO bricks, led to your gradually developing a desire to learn more about architecture as a field
• Any personal experience that relates to how you became interested in architecture —maybe you grew up in a shoddy apartment complex, an experience which showed you how better and safer architecture could improve people's day-to-day lives
• A relevant video or board game you love to play , such as SimCity, Minecraft, or 7 Wonders Architects, and how this game connects with your love of planning and building
• Volunteering with an organization or at a specific place , such as at Habitat for Humanity, and what this activity means to you ( NOTE: I recommend only picking this topic if you're continually involved with a specific volunteer effort and if it's something you're very invested in—if you helped build a house for a low-income family only once, for instance, don't write about that here!)
• An architecture-based TV show or movie , such as  Big Dreams, Small Spaces, Grand Designs , or Amazing Spaces ,   that you love and indulge in on a regular basis and why you believe this program or film has shaped your passion

As a final tip for this Rice essay, don't feel obligated to choose an "impressive" topic . Instead, use this open-ended essay prompt as a chance to demonstrate your personal strengths and passions in a highly personal, creative way.

Real Rice Essay Example + Analysis

Though knowing what kinds of topics you can write about for each Rice essay is definitely helpful, it's even better to be able to see what an actual successful Rice essay looks like. Below, we show you a real Rice essay example that was written by an admitted student .

The following essay was written in response to a prompt similar to the current Rice essay prompt for the second short-answer essay above. (In other words, it's essentially a "Why Rice?" prompt.)

Note: Since this essay is a little older and the Rice essay topics change every few years, the prompt and word length for this essay differ slightly from the current guidelines. For this essay, the word limit was 250 words, whereas the current limit is 150 words.

Here is the essay:

"We are going to visit Rice today," my mom leaned back in her front row seat and said to me.

Wait, is that a restaurant specializing in all kinds of rice dishes? Like fried rice, rice soup, and rice balls? My brain went into a frenzy.

All other questions flooding my thoughts dissipated, however, when my eyes lay on Rice's beautiful Byzantine-style buildings with its magnificent archways and its soft sand-pink brick walls. While just outside its surroundings the thriving city life of Houston continues, Rice kept its sacred ground intimate with its relatively small campus and peaceful with its large spreads of greenery and shades. It's perfect! said my right brain, falling in love at first sight with the campus. My left brain, however, chastised the emotional side of me with Don't judge a book by its cover. You can't just choose your true love like that!

Exasperated by my left brain, I attended an information seminar. Phrases like "Passport to Houston," "Best Quality of Student Life," "Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen," and "more than 40 interdisciplinary centers" flashed by my eyes. Almost unlimited access to Houston's transportation and hangout spots? A research facility where I can group with students of all fields and work on solving real-world problems? Friendly research faculty who might allow me to continue my interdisciplinary research in psychology and computer science? My left brain finally gave in. Alright, alright. Let's go make Rice into not just a staple for food, but also education, then.

What Makes This Rice Essay Work?

It's got a lot of personality. The italicized parts, which symbolize the applicant's thoughts, give us a highly personal and intriguing look into their reactions to their first visit to Rice. In addition, the humorous bits (such as when the university's name is compared to the actual rice food) add a fun and creative touch.

It oozes passion. While this applicant might occasionally go a little overboard in how they describe how amazing Rice is, one thing is clear: they're extremely interested in attending Rice and making the most of their interdisciplinary interests here.

How Could This Rice Essay Be Even Better?

It could cut out the clichés. The saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" has been done to death and doesn't add any memorable insight into the applicant. This essay would be better if the applicant had changed this phrase or simply cut it out completely. Moreover, although the concept of Rice as a food is funny, this applicant likely isn't the first person to have made a joke about this.

It could be more specific. Although there's clearly a lot of passion in this Rice essay, it lacks detail in areas where we could've learned a lot more about the applicant. For example, what kinds of research does this person want to conduct at Rice? And what "real-world problems" do they want to solve?

How to Write a Great Rice Essay: Five Key Tips

Before you go off writing your Rice essay, here are some final tips to keep in mind.

#1: Use Specific Details

I've said this before and I'll say it again: be specific in your essays . Rice doesn't just want to know that you're good at softball—it wants to know why this sport is important to you, what kind of role it plays in your life, and how it makes you feel.

If you're describing a specific person in one of your essays, use concrete details to show the admissions committee who this person really is. Does she have an endearing gap in her teeth when she smiles? What does his voice sound like?

Details like these will allow your readers to more readily feel the personality and passion in your writing, making it easier to relate to you on a deeper level. They'll also help you and your essays stand out from the sea of applicants, which is always a plus!

#2: Channel Your Inner Voice

Personal essays are all about showcasing your personality and a side of yourself that's not made clear in the more quantitative (i.e., grades and test scores) parts of your application.

Therefore, with each Rice essay, make sure you're channeling your inner voice. Does the essay sound as though you wrote it and not someone else did? Are you writing about what you really want to and not what you think the Rice admissions committee wants to read?

For example, if you're naturally a humorous person, feel free to throw in a joke or two. If you're the poetic type, you could add in some lines of poetry you've written (if relevant to your essay topic) or sprinkle in some flowery metaphors.

The basic tip here is to write in whatever way comes most natural to you .

That being said, there are a few things you should always avoid in your college essays:

• Typos, poor grammar, incorrect spelling, and other technical errors (the only exception to this would be if you're quoting someone who used incorrect grammar or colloquial words such as "ain't" or "gonna")
• Inappropriate stories —don't write about the time you got arrested or made an obviously wrong or immoral choice, for example
• Rude or impolite words and phrases

#3: Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Even though most of the essays on the Rice supplement aren't that long, you still have a lot to write for just one school, so these essays will likely take up a lot of your free time. Be sure to start your essays (for all the colleges you're applying to—not just Rice) ahead of time, ideally at least a few months before your college application deadlines .

#4: Avoid Repeating Yourself

Many of the Rice University essay prompts touch on similar topics, such as why you want to attend Rice, why you want to study a certain field, and what makes you unique.

As you answer the prompts, try to ensure there isn't too much overlap between the content of your essays .

It's OK if there's a little bit of repetition. For example, it'd be hard not to talk about your interest in architecture as you answer supplement 1 (What do you want to major in?) and supplement 3 (Why architecture?).

That said, your primary goal should be to focus on different main points for each of your essays . This way, Rice will get a more well-rounded (versus one-sided) picture of who you are.

Avoid repeating the same ideas in your essays; remember that you're trying to stand out as an applicant, so each response should give the admissions committee new information about who you are, your intellectual passions, and your motivations.

#5: Don't Forget to Proofread!

For each Rice essay, take a lot of time to edit and proofread it.

After you write a rough draft, put the essay away for a few days. Once some time has passed, take your essay out again and reread it. Fix any obvious errors, such as typos and misspellings, and mark any areas that are awkward, unclear, or irrelevant.

Do this process a few times until you have a fairly clean draft. Then, give your essay to someone else to read ; this could be a parent, teacher, older sibling, tutor, etc. Ask this person for feedback, and use their advice to further tweak your essay until you eventually have a quality final draft.

As with any essay, be sure to do one final proofread (and get someone else to look it over, too!) right before you submit it to a college.

What's Next?

Interested in applying to other highly prestigious schools besides Rice? Then take a look at our guides to how to write essays for Northwestern , Harvard , and Stanford .

Writing college admissions essays can be tricky. Check out our expert guides to learn how you can write a great Common Application essay and Coalition Application essay .

For more tips on how to get into Rice, including what SAT/ACT score you'll need, check out our Rice University admissions page .

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Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Rice University Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Rice supplemental essays 2023-2024.

The Rice University supplemental essays play an integral role in any student’s “how to get into Rice” plan . As one of the top universities in the nation, strong Rice University supplemental essays can help set your application apart. 

This means you should plan to ace the why school essay, the why major essay, and the long essay that Rice requires. So, if you’re looking for helpful tips on the Rice supplemental essays, then you’re in the right place. 

Rice Essay: Quick Facts

• Rice acceptance rate: 9%— U.S. News ranks Rice as a most selective school.
• 2 (~150 word) essays
• 1 full-page (500 word) essay
• Rice application: Students must submit their Rice application through the Common App, Coalition App, or QuestBridge application systems. 
• Rice essay #1 tip: We recommend using the short and long Rice University essay prompts to highlight different aspects of your experiences that you haven’t highlighted elsewhere—Rice Box image included—to help your application stand out.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Rice University have supplemental essays?

Yes. In addition to the personal statement that you’ll write in the Common App or Coalition App , you’ll also have to answer both short and extended Rice supplemental essays. In total, applicants will write three Rice University supplemental essays. This includes two that are 150 words and a third that is 500 words. The prompts may look familiar—namely, a why school essay and a why major essay. 

Three additional Rice University supplemental essays may sound intimidating. However, we urge you to view them as a chance to share valuable information about yourself with admissions. Beyond any single Rice University essay prompt, you will have multiple chances to shine. 

The Rice supplemental essays are available on the Common App site . You can also visit the Rice University site for a full list of application requirements, including the essay details. You might also complete an optional alumni interview to supplement your Rice supplemental essays and application.

What are the Rice University supplemental essays?

There are three school-specific Rice supplemental essays and an image contribution in the Rice application. The first two Rice supplemental essays each have a 150 word limit. One Rice essay is essentially a why major essay and the other Rice essay is a why school essay. 

The third of the Rice University supplemental essays allows students to choose from two different prompts. However, the prompts are relatively similar with slight nuances in their wording. Essentially, the last of the Rice University supplemental essays asks students to show how they will enrich the Rice community. This essay has a 500 word limit. 

You should use every opportunity in your Rice University supplemental essays to express yourself in a personal, engaging manner. And because each of the Rice University supplemental essays covers a different topic with a different word limit, you’ll use different strategies for each one.

Before starting your Rice University supplemental essays, do your research on Rice University. Check out our how to get into Rice guide in order to write your best Rice University supplemental essays. You may also want to read some successful college essay examples. Check out these why college essay examples for inspiration. 

Now, keep reading to learn how to tackle each of the Rice University essay prompts!

Rice University Supplemental Essay #1: Why Major Essay

The first Rice University essay prompt asks applicants to explore their academic study interests with a why major essay. If you still haven’t chosen a major , don’t worry. You are not bound to the academic area that you reference in this Rice essay. However, successful Rice University supplemental essays will need to specifically address a given field. When considering how to get into Rice, remember that you will select an academic area of interest in the application. So, start thinking about intellectual interests and browsing majors to see what matches up. 

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. (150 words)

This Rice essay is short but sweet. At this point, your reader may have already glanced at your previous coursework and activities, as well as your personal statement . So, to add to that, what stories do you have about what you hope to study in college? The strongest Rice University supplemental essays will give readers an authentic window into an applicant’s intellectual life.

Specifically, this Rice University essay prompt lets you offer some background on an activity or experience that showcases your intellectual interests. You may choose to start your first Rice essay with an anecdote that illustrates these interests in action.

Highlight your passions

For this Rice essay, don’t be afraid to geek out about a topic and share how you have explored it in the classroom and beyond. This could be in a school club, a summer program , or a personal passion project . In fact, your description of your interests should take up most of this Rice essay—perhaps 90-120 words.

Additionally, if you don’t quite know what you’d like to study, that’s okay! Remember, the potential field or major discussed in applicants’ Rice University supplemental essays is not binding. So, use your Rice essay to talk about the thing that interests you most. 

Connect your interests to Rice

Most importantly, to wrap up your first Rice essay, connect your interests to something that Rice can do to help you excel. For example, if you have a penchant for the sciences , you might use this Rice University essay prompt to note unique research projects that previous Rice students have done with faculty. Or, if you’re interested in the humanities , you might emphasize Rice’s various unique minors like Museums and Cultural Heritage when responding to this Rice University essay prompt. This part of your Rice essay can just be a few sentences—perhaps 30-60 words. Remember to be specific about why Rice is the school for you.

Rice Essay Reflection Questions:

• Does your draft share a narrative rather than just restating your activities list?
• Do you limit your focus to a single field when responding to the Rice University essay prompt?
• Does your Rice essay connect your interest to opportunities available at Rice?
• Do you use clear and evocative language in the first of the Rice University supplemental essays?

Rice University Supplemental Essay #2: Why School Essay

While the first Rice University essay prompt asked students to write a why major essay, the second asks students “why Rice?” 

The Rice University acceptance rate is competitive at just 9% . Successful applicants will write Rice University supplemental essays that show just why they have to study at Rice. Rice University supplemental essays are your chance to show admissions that you’ve done your research and are set on Rice. 

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 words)

This Rice University essay prompt is the classic “why school” essay . You may have encountered similar prompts on other applications. While it might be tempting to adapt a “why school” essay from another application, students will want to start from scratch to make sure their Rice University supplemental essays are as specific as possible.

No shortcuts on this Rice University essay prompt; you’ll have to do your homework. Begin by asking, “What about Rice suits you?” If you haven’t already, this Rice essay is a great chance to share if you have reached out to a current student, watched an official YouTube video , or attended an information session. And if you have not yet, it’s not too late! It all starts with a virtual tour . Do the Rice research before writing your Rice University supplemental essays so that you can speak about Rice like a pro. 

Keep it about you

However, remember that this Rice essay is still a chance for the reader to get to know you. Are there other interests that you have not been able to discuss in other parts of your application? As you approach this Rice essay prompt, as well as the other Rice supplemental essays, think about what might be missing from your application. For instance, maybe you already have written some responses to a few of your activities in the other Rice University supplemental essays. Perhaps there is another that you could highlight in this Rice essay.

Take this Rice University essay prompt as a way to share something new about yourself. When all is said and done, the admissions office at any school hopes to admit a class full of talented people with various pursuits and interests. The best Rice supplemental essays will reveal what a given student will bring to their class and community.

Before answering this Rice essay prompt, read some successful why school essays. Here are some examples of well-written essays from applicants to Northwestern and Yale .

• Does your Rice essay draft include specific references to the academic community at Rice University?
• Do you share how Rice’s resources connect to your personal education goals?
• Does your Rice essay focus on just one or two aspects of Rice as they relate to your interests?

Rice Supplemental Essays – Long Answer

The last of the Rice University supplemental essays offers students the choice of two prompts to respond to. However, each prompt asks students to explore the way in which they will contribute to the Rice community. 

The final Rice supplemental essay prompt offers much more room to write than the other Rice University essay prompts, with a 500 word limit. It may feel overwhelming, but there are many ways to meaningfully answer this Rice essay. 

Successful Rice University supplemental essays will use the word count wisely in order to impress admissions and overcome the low Rice University acceptance rate. In fact, the best Rice University supplemental essays will thoughtfully use the word count to show applicants’ unique experiences and qualities. The room this Rice essay allows you is by design. This is your time to shine.

The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? (500 words)

You might feel that you don’t have any traditions or experiences that you can discuss with the depth that the last of the Rice University essay prompts demands. “Life experiences” and “cultural traditions” are central to this Rice essay. For some, Rice University supplemental essays may reference meaningful touchstones like holidays, food, music, and dance. 

When responding to the last of the Rice University essay prompts, try to engage your reader’s senses. What do the surroundings look, sound, smell, and feel like? Just as you might envision an opening scene of a movie, you should use this Rice essay to make the reader feel like they are right there with you. Successful Rice supplemental essays will use vivid and evocative language to tell an engaging story.

Define “community” and “culture”

That being said, you don’t need to fixate on a single anecdote to make your Rice essay shine. Successful Rice University supplemental essays may also refer to cultural traditions more broadly than any key moment. In considering your cultural background, you might initially think about your family or the fact that you will be a first-generation college student . 

However, you can also use the last of the Rice University essay prompts as an opportunity to draw connections to a wider set of themes. Community and culture manifest in a variety of forms. From school clubs to youth groups, or even online Discord channels, we all engage in communities that inform our identities. All of these communities can give you useful material for your Rice supplemental essays.

Finding your story

If you’re still struggling with how to respond to the last of the Rice University essay prompts, don’t be discouraged. Everyone has a story to share, and the Rice supplemental essays are designed to help you do so. You could start by imagining how your friends would describe you. Or, it could be helpful to think of a simple timeline of your life so far. From birth to now, consider some milestones that have contributed to who you are today. You might also describe a hero or mentor who has changed your direction. There are a myriad of experiences that successful Rice University supplemental essays could touch on when responding to this Rice University essay prompt. 

Bring it back to Rice  

Remember that while the Rice University supplemental essays should center on you and your personal experiences, however, they also need to show what you will bring to campus. When answering the first long Rice University essay prompt, make sure that you clearly state how you will bring your personal experiences, culture, and traditions to the Rice community. Will you get involved in certain clubs? Will you share your family’s holidays with your hall in the dorms? And will you bring these experiences and perspectives to the classroom?

Rice University admissions wants to learn more about how you’ll fit into the Rice community. So, use the long Rice University supplemental essays to do just that.  

Now let’s check out the second of the long Rice University supplemental essays: 

Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? 

Remember those helpful tips on how to respond to the first of the Rice University supplemental essays prompt? Well, they can actually apply here, too. 

If responding the this prompt, students should focus on how the aspects mentioned in the prompt will make them incite change. Note how they refer to Rice’s “community of change agents.” Successful Rice University supplemental essays will show how students will contribute to this community. 

How has your background informed your future academic and career goals? What has motivated your path forward to creating change in the world and essentially leaving it a better place than it was before? Students should write on their own experiences, upbringing and (if applicable) racial identity. 

Similar to the first prompt, there are many routes that students could take when writing this essay. So, how can you choose what to write about? These essays need to be passionate and genuine. If you aren’t excited about the topic you’re writing about, then your reader won’t be, either. Remember that these Rice University supplemental essays need to truly add a new dimension to your Rice application. Namely, you want to share more about you and how you will be a perfect fit for the Rice community. 

No matter the prompt, focus on you

This Rice essay gives you up to 500 words, which lets you discuss a lot. However, successful Rice University supplemental essays will not lose sight of the fact that this essay is about applicants as individuals. If you choose to describe how other people have made an impact on your life, remember to bring it back to yourself and your experiences. Above all, your Rice essay should center on how your experiences and traditions have made you the person you are.

As with the other Rice supplemental essays, make sure you remain centered on your own story and clearly communicate this story to your readers. Though it may be tempting to wax philosophical when writing your Rice University supplemental essays, you should focus on writing explicitly about yourself and your experiences. When in doubt, be more direct while trying to engage the reader in your Rice supplemental essays. Metaphors and quotes can help ground your Rice University supplemental essays at times, but be careful not to overuse them.

How do you wrap up the conclusion of such an open, personal essay? While there is no one “correct” way to end the Rice supplemental essays, take a moment to reflect on how these experiences have made an impact on you. How would you be different without them? Where have these milestones taken you to where you have been, where you are now, and perhaps where you hope to be in the future? Successful Rice University supplemental essays will answer these questions and more.

• Do you write between 400 and 500 words in this Rice essay?
• Does your Rice essay center on yourself and your development?
• Is your response to the third of the Rice University essay prompts concrete and specific?
• If applicable, do you use specific examples of how you have shared your perspectives or learned from those of other people?

How to write Rice Supplemental Essays

Writing impactful Rice University supplemental essays that catch the attention of Rice University admissions officers may seem like a daunting task. However, the Rice supplemental essays are extremely important, especially given the low Rice University acceptance rate. 

Luckily, there are certain tips you can follow to ease the writing process when approaching the Rice University supplemental essays. 

5 Tips for Writing Rice Supplemental Essays: 

#1- be specific.

When responding to both the why school essay and the why major essay, you should be specific. One of the worst mistakes students can make in their Rice supplemental essays is being generic in their responses. When writing the Rice supplemental essays, reference specific programs and offerings only available at Rice. Also, when talking about your life experiences, describe why they are meaningful to you. It may be helpful to make a college resume in order to organize all of your important activities and draw on the most important ones when writing your Rice supplemental essays. 

#2- Provide context to the reader

Above all, your reader wants to know what makes you the person you are. The Rice supplemental essays are your chance to show the admissions team that you’re more than a statistic. Tell them who you are, what you value, and why you belong at their school. Strong Rice supplemental essays will leave the admissions committee with a clear, authentic understanding of an applicant’s background and aspirations.

#3- Choose your topics carefully

You want to be authentic and unique in your responses to the Rice University essay prompts. The topic you choose to focus on makes a huge difference as your passion will be evident in the writing. Write on themes that are genuinely exciting and impactful to you. 

#4- Start early

Give yourself plenty of time to thoughtfully and carefully respond to the Rice University essay prompts. Remember that you will be writing essays for the majority of the schools you apply to. Factor that into your college application timeline. You’ll need time to brainstorm, draft, and revise each Rice essay. 

#5- Be creative and grammatically correct

Don’t shy away from getting creative with your writing style and responses to these Rice supplemental essays. That doesn’t mean you should write a poem, but, feel free to use vivid imagery and descriptive language in order to fully immerse your reader in your subject matter. However, your writing also needs to be grammatically impeccable. Have another set of eyes look over your final Rice University supplemental essays to make sure you’ve expressed your point and have no mechanical errors. 

Additionally, if any special circumstances have influenced your academic or personal development, you may want to discuss them in your Rice University supplemental essays. This can help the admissions team gain insight into your perspective.

Additional Rice Requirements – An Image for “The Box”

One of rice’s long-standing traditions is “the box,” a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them. the box gives you the opportunity to present us with an image that shares something about yourself, your interests or what is meaningful to you. this image is not used for evaluative purposes in the application, but allows you to put your stamp on the application about who you are aside from what you have achieved. be sure to choose an image that speaks for itself and does not need an explanation. the box must be a two-dimensional image that is uploaded in the common application or the coalition application, or uploaded in the rice admission student portal..

This Rice university essay prompt is not an essay at all. However, the Rice Box does a lot of the things your Rice essays do—namely, it gives the admissions team a window into who you are and what you care about.

Understandably, this unique prompt throws many students off. Remember that while the Rice Box might let you stand out, it should not detract from the effort you put into the required Rice University supplemental essays.

Don’t sweat your image choice

Notice the part of the prompt that reads, “This image is not used for evaluative purposes…and does not need an explanation.” In short, this image will not make or break your application—instead, it should be a fun addition to your overall profile.

Your submission should be able to speak for itself without a supplemental description. Some ideas for your Rice Box image might include a section of your bookshelf, a place you enjoy, an important memento, a project you enjoyed, or a hobby you mention elsewhere.

Don’t get hung up on the Rice Box! Find an image that speaks to you, and leave it at that. Then, spend the bulk of your time crafting your Rice University supplemental essays.

Rice Box Reflection Questions:

• Is your image clear enough, while staying within the file size limit?
• Is your image tasteful and appropriate for an academic context?
• Does your image reveal something interesting about you?

Does Rice care about essays?

Forbes ranks Rice University as #22 on 2023 Top Colleges list and the U.S. News Best Colleges list ranks it #15. And, the Rice University acceptance rate is quite competitive at 9%. For these reasons, when considering how to get into Rice University, one of the best colleges in Texas , applicants will want to focus on making their application as competitive as possible. The Rice University supplemental essays play a vital role in the admissions process. 

Rice’s application philosophy is holistic and committee-based. That means that your Rice University supplemental essays are extremely important within the context of your Rice application narrative. Rice University admissions will evaluate applicants on more than just hitting certain academic marks. However, given the low Rice University acceptance rate, it’s important to have a good SAT score and above averag e GPA . 

Using the Rice essays to your benefit

The Rice University supplemental essays are applicants’ opportunities to share new information that they weren’t able to display in other parts of their application. In evaluating Rice essays, the admissions team also looks to see whether you’ve done your research on why Rice University is the right school for you. So, the why school essay and why major essay are extremely important in showing off the specifics of what you’ve learned about Rice. The longer Rice essay is also an excellent opportunity to point out parts of campus life and community in which you would thrive thanks to your unique background. 

Rice University admissions needs to see your understanding and enthusiasm for the university within your Rice supplemental essays. The entire Rice application is important in the admissions evaluation process, however, the Rice supplemental essays will allow Rice University admissions to get a truer picture of who you are and why you’d fit in at Rice. 

More admissions requirements for Rice University

Applicants working on their Rice supplemental essays will need to make sure that they meet the Rice requirements and deadlines. In addition to well-written and unique Rice University supplemental essays, applicants should aim to take rigorous academic courses throughout secondary school. GPA is an important factor as a part of the admissions process. 

Rice University is test-optional so students aren’t required to submit their standardized test scores. However, half of admitted students had scores within the range of 1490-1570. If you fall within that range, or above, submitting your scores will likely bolster your Rice application. 

Letters and interviews

Rice requires applicants to submit three letters of recommendation . These letters are extremely important within the Rice admissions evaluation process. You’ll want to ask your counselor and two teachers for their recommendations well in advance so that they have sufficient time to submit them. 

Students are able to complete optional interviews which are either with an alumnus or current Rice University senior. This is a great opportunity for applicants to learn more about the Rice experience. It also lets them share more of who they are both academically and personally. 

Addition materials for special programs

Students applying to the Shepherd School of Music , School of Architecture , or Visual and Dramatic Arts department will be required to submit additional Rice University supplemental materials. You can look at all the Rice requirements here . 

Remember that Rice partners with the QuestBridge application process. So, in addition to the Rice University supplemental essays, students should check out the match requirements when completing the application. 

Applicants should also consider the cost of college and financial aid packages when starting their college search . This should be an integral part of building a college list . So, check out Rice’s financial aid options in order to compare with other colleges as you go through the college application and eventually enrollment process. 

Rice University Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

As you craft your Rice essays, remember to be intentional and specific. Also, these tips are just a starting point. Every Rice University essay prompt is different, and you’ll want to examine each of them on their own terms. There are multiple ways to approach your Rice essays; as you draft, you’ll learn what works best for you.

Your Rice supplemental essays give you the creative latitude to make them your own, so use this to your advantage. There are many student success stories that come from writing strong essays that bolster a competitive application. Check out one student’s journey below and remember that you could be one too. Good luck!

Student Spotlight: Line T.

This Rice supplemental essays guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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