Rice University
Private research university in Houston, TX known for strong STEM programs and residential college system. Founded in 1912 through an endowment from businessman William Marsh Rice, the university charged no tuition at all for roughly its first half-century. With fewer than 4,500 undergraduates, Rice mirrors the residential college system found at Yale and Harvard, assigning every student to one of eleven small residential communities for all four years. The Houston location puts students close to NASA Johnson Space Center and the Texas Medical Center.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on Rice's official admissions site before applying.
📊 What SAT/ACT Scores Do Admitted Students Have?
The middle 50% of Rice's admitted students scored within these ranges:
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (25th–75th percentile of admitted students). Get your own personalized chance estimate →
🎲 Will You Get Into Rice?
This estimate compares the test score you enter against Rice's real published middle-50% band (1510–1570 SAT, 34–35 ACT) and its 7.7% acceptance rate to produce a Safety, Target, or Reach label. It intentionally does not use GPA — no institution publishes real per-school GPA distribution data, so we don't invent one.
With only a 7.7% acceptance rate, Rice is a reach for almost every applicant, regardless of test scores.
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📝 Required Supplements
- Common App
- Rice Supplement
- School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
✍️ What Should Your Rice Essay Focus On?
- Show authentic enthusiasm for Rice's residential colleges
- Demonstrate you'll engage deeply with the community
- The "why Rice" essay is crucial — be specific
- Show you're collaborative and will contribute to campus
🎯 What Is Rice Looking For in Applicants?
- Genuine fit with the residential college system, since Rice assigns every student to one of eleven small communities for all four years
- Collaboration and community engagement suited to a school with fewer than 4,500 undergraduates total
- Academic excellence in STEM fields, given the ties to NASA Johnson Space Center and the Texas Medical Center
- Genuine enthusiasm for the particular culture at Rice, not just its academic reputation
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