2019 Rice Acceptance Rate: Class of 2023
So, you’re thinking about applying to Rice, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. There are a lot of factors in the admissions process. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores.
Test Type
With an acceptance rate of 8.7%, admission to Rice is very competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the very top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1550, or an ACT score of around 35.
Not quite there? You still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at Rice admission statistics.
2019 Rice Admissions Statistics: Class of 2023
- Rice’s acceptance rate in 2019 was 8.7%
- For the class of 2023, out of 27,084 applicants, Rice admitted 2,364
- The average GPA of admitted applicants was 4.11
- The average ACT score was 34
- The average SAT score was 1510
For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 33, and the 75th percentile score was 35.
For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1460. The 75th percentile score was 1550.
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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements.
Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.
Even if Rice is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.
Generally, you should have:
- Three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores)
- Three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores)
- Three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores)
OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took at a look at Rice’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.
2019 Rice Application Requirements: Class of 2023
Here’s a full list of application requirements:
- Fill out the Rice Application, answer Rice’s supplementary questions, and pay an application fee of $75 (or apply for a fee waiver)
- Submit an ACT score or SAT/SAT Subject tests scores (writing score optional)
- Submit your high school transcript and a midyear/counselor report
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher
Here are the deadlines that you should be aware of:
- The application deadline is November 1 for Early Decision
- The application deadline is January 1 for Regular Decision
- March 1 is the financial aid application deadline
- Early Action notifications are released mid-December
- Regular Decision applicants find out their fates on April 1
- May 1 is the reply date for admitted students
Have you been admitted to Rice? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.
2019 Rice Class of 2023 Admitted Students Profile
If you matriculate at Rice, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.
Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:
- Roughly 53% are male and 47% are female
- 38% of students are from Texas
Rice has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:
- African American: 10%
- Asian American: 27%
- Hispanic/Latino: 20%
- Multiracial 6%
- White: 36%
- Other: 1%
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What do these admitted students plan to study? Rice offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:
- Biochemistry
- Psychology
- Chemical Engineering
Now, how are you going to pay for this?
Rice Tuition Figures
At $60,518, Rice’s cost of attendance is astronomical. Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $42,573.
Here’s a fuller look at Rice tuition and financial aid in 2017:
- Total budget: $60,518
- Average financial aid package: $42,573
- The average student debt of a Rice graduate is $13,944
For the latest numbers and to learn more about financial aid options, click HERE.
Now, what is life like at Rice? Let’s take a look.
Rice Location
Rice University is located in the Museum District of Houston, Texas, in a heavily-wooded area.
Although the campus has a variety of architectural styles, including brutalist and modernist architecture, the vast majority of the campus since 1917 has been done in a uniform, Mediterranean Revival style.
Remember, you’re going to Rice for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.
Rice Academics
Rice has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:
- Architectural Studies
- Bioengineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science and NanoEngineering
- Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations
- Asian Studies
- Classical Studies
- Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality
- Visual and Dramatic Arts
- Biochemistry & Cell Biology
- Kinesiology
- Physics, Astrophysics, Chemical Physics, Astronomy
- Mathematical Economic Analysis
- Policy Studies
- Sport Management
Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at Rice.
Student Life at Rice
Rice has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and political interests, and various media and publications.
Here’s a sampling of Rice’s student activities:
- Asian Pacific American Student Alliance
- Baker Institute Student Forum
- Black Student Association
- Chabad Jewish Student Life
- Cornerstone Christian Fellowship
- Engineers Without Borders
- FastWarp: Board and Card Game Club
- Future Teachers Club
- Grassroot Islam
- Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice
- Jewish Studies Student Association
- KTRU Rice Radio
- Legalese (Rice’s Pre-Law Society)
- Maestro (formerly Step Ahead)
- Melodious Voices of Praise
- Moody Center Student Committee
- Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society
Are you an athlete? Rice’s got plenty of options for you.
Rice Athletics
Rice offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women.
Rice’s sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Cross-Country
- Swimming & Diving
- Golf
- Women’s soccer
- Women’s volleyball
- Track & Field
- Tennis
Who might you become with a Rice degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:
Notable Alums
Rice has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.
Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:
- Author Larry McMurtry
- Legendary aviator Howard Hughes
- Baseball outfielder Lance Berkman
- Venture capitalist John Doerr
- Former Attorney General of the United States Alberto Gonzales
- Former Houston, Texas Mayor Annise Parker
- Astronaut Peggy Whitson
- Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell
- Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush
- Football Defensive End N.D. Kalu
- Astronaut Takao Doi
- Scientist Tamara E. Jernigan
And this is only a partial list!
Remember!
Getting into Rice is very competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no.
If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are.
If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.
For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!
Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Prep Expert Founder & CEO
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