Rice University

Personal statement required (250-650 words), plus four supplements, plus more depending on your college or program:

1. Required · 150 word limit

   Please explain what draws you to the academic areas you selected above and how you hope to explore them at Rice University.

   Numbered "1." on Rice's site. This is the "why this academic area" question.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.

2. Required · 150 word limit

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

   Numbered "2." on Rice's site. THIS IS THE 150-WORD "WHY RICE" QUESTION WE WERE MISSING.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.

3. Required (choose 1 of 2) · 500 word limit

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

   Numbered "3." on Rice's site. This is the stem only; the two answer options are the next two entries and the student answers exactly ONE. In the page HTML the options are a bulleted <ul> directly under this line.

4. Required (choose 1 of 2) · 500 word limit

   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 of 2 under prompt 3. Answer only one option.

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5. Required (choose 1 of 2) · 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 cultural identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?

   Option 2 of 2 under prompt 3. Answer only one option.

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6. Required · One two-dimensional image. No word limit; Rice explicitly says the image should not need an explanation.

   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 uploaded in the Rice Admission Student Portal.

   Not an essay: this is an image upload, not writing. Headed "Rice Box" on Rice's site. Required of ALL applicants, including QuestBridge applicants. Rice states it is not used for evaluative purposes, but it is still part of the application, so a student-facing page must show it or the student will be blindsided by an upload they did not prepare.

7. Required for Rice School of Architecture applicants only · 250 words

   Why are you determined to study architecture? Please explain your motivation and describe how your past experiences have led you to apply to the Rice School of Architecture in particular. Have you had an opportunity outside of school—such as an internship, building project, architecture summer program or other experience—that strengthened your interest in the field? If so, please describe how the experience further compels you to pursue a career in architecture.

   Numbered "1." under the heading "Architecture Essay Prompts", inside the "The Rice School of Architecture Applicants" section. Architecture applicants must ALSO submit a portfolio of creative work via the Rice Admission Student Portal. Prompt contains two em dashes, reproduced verbatim.

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8. Required for Rice School of Architecture applicants only · 250 words

   Describe a building, place, or city that you have encountered and found especially compelling. What specifically captured your attention, and why? In your response, reflect on how this experience has shaped your understanding of architecture and the built environment.

   Numbered "2." under "Architecture Essay Prompts". Applies only to Rice School of Architecture applicants.

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