The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) does not make admissions decisions for Rice University, but is happy to assist with immigration documentation and requirements once a student has gained acceptance to Rice.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students will find all the admissions requirements, financial support information, test score & GPA requirements, as well as other required documents by visiting: https://admission.rice.edu/.
Graduate Students
Graduate students seeking admission to Rice will find all the admissions requirements, financial support information, test score & GPA requirements, as well as other required documents by visiting the webpage of the specific department you wish to join. For a list of graduate departments at Rice University and general admissions requirements, please visit: http://graduate.rice.edu/.
Please note that International admissions policy requires students to begin their program in line with the Rice academic calendar, as immigration law requires Rice to register those standardized initial start dates with the U.S. government. Please see Rice's Academic Calendar for this academic year's session dates.
Visiting Students
Visiting International Students must verify with our office to ensure that their visa category allows for studies. Rice University does not issue immigration documents for studies as a Visiting Student. The ability for the foreign national to continue with the application process will be determined by OISS's evaluation of the visa category in conjunction with a course of study. All international Visiting Student applicants should work with Rice University's Office of the Registrar to submit copies of their immigration documents for proper processing. For more information, please see https://visitingstudents.rice.edu/.
Visiting International Undergraduate Researchers
Short-Term Visiting International Undergraduate Researchers are not pursuing a degree at Rice University, but are instead coming for a short visit to conduct research (typically during the summer). Visiting Undergraduate Researchers work directly with their academic departments on their admission process to Rice.
ESL Students
ESL students will find all the admission requirements by visiting: https://esl.rice.edu/.
Students Returning from Leave
Students Returning from Leave must submit the necessary documents to request a new I-20/DS-2019 to resume their studies. Students will need to complete a check-in with OISS as part of the standard process, but will not need to attend orientation again. Please see https://oiss.rice.edu/returningLOA for the detailed process.
International Student Visa Classifications
Typically degree-seeking international students will come to study on an F-1 student visa and exchange students on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. To apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, the student will need an I-20 or DS-2019 immigration document, respectively. Occasionally international students may study on other visa classifications, depending on their situation, so please check with an OISS advisor if you plan to stay on your current visa classification. Please keep in mind that all international students regardless of visa type are required to check in with OISS at the start of their program at Rice University.
Once admitted, all new international students must complete their international student profile in the OISS Portal, regardless of their current or prospective immigration status. Click here for details on the OISS Portal.
Please also see https://oiss.rice.edu/cost-attendance for important information on financial planning for international students.