Rice University is a private research school located in Houston, TX, and is known for their STEM programs and business school. It’s also very competitive, with a 7% overall acceptance rate and a 16% early acceptance rate. If you were just rejected from your ED school and don’t know what to do next, you might be thinking of ED2-ing (is that a verb?) to Rice, and we want to help you through that decision!
We know ED2 can feel intimidating, especially when you’re already swamped with RD applications. It’s natural to feel unsure about committing or nervous about the possibility of another rejection. Those feelings make sense! But here’s the reality—ED2 is your best play right now. It gives you a significant edge, and at a school like Rice, where the acceptance rate is tiny, that boost matters.
Let’s jump into Rice’s supplements.
Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above (150)
This is a classic “Why” essay, and it’s located under the Application>Questions>Academics tab, not the Writing Supplement tab. Thankfully, this prompt has a pretty easy formula.
Origin Story: Why are you interested in the thing you say you’re interested in? Most of us have that “aha!” moment (or can at least trace our interest to a starting point), and this is where you want to explore it. If it’s chemistry, for example, maybe it was summers spent doing backyard experiments. End this part by declaring your major
Research: Now, go into the Rice course catalog and find 1-2 upper-level classes you want to take that fit into the origin story you just told them about. Then, explain why you like those classes and how they fit into your goals. It is not enough to say they’re cool, instead talk about why those biochem classes will help you with your passion for climate change research. Next, go look at the faculty pages and find a professor doing research in your interest area, and write about why you want to work with them and how working with them will help you accomplish your goals.
Since this one is 150 words, you’ll need to be precise with your language!
Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?* (150)
This question is Why Rice, but about the “experience.” They could have just said vibes, but whatever. This is a really all-encompassing prompt, so let’s break down the elements you could include in this bad boy:
Rice’s research institutes
Study abroad
Campus traditions
Intramural or varsity sports
Residental College System (although they have a whole prompt on this one, so if you write that one, don’t mention it here)
Clubs or organizations on campus
We know we’ve said it a lot, but don’t just say something seems cool or interesting—obviously, it does, or you wouldn’t be writing about it! What excites you about it? How does it connect to your goals or passions? If you mention clubs, try to tie them to what you’ve already been involved in during high school, otherwise you might come across as a little too ~rAnDoM~ and we’re not going for quirky here.
Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community:*
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? (500)
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)
These are community essays, and even though they have slightly different focuses, the story you choose to write about here should be the same for either!
Rice’s prompts focus heavily on community and school culture, so it’s safe to assume they really care about this. These essays are your chance to tell a story and show them how you’ll engage in their community.
First, choose a community—this can be anything from your family to a Discord server to your D&D group. Think outside the box and avoid topics overrepresented elsewhere, like sports or community service, although if this is truly all you can think of, that’s okay. Your community should help highlight a personality trait or value you want to bring to Rice, and you should tell it through a story that highlights a small moment.
For the first prompt, tie your story to Rice’s Residential College System. For example, if you write about family dinners, you could share how you’d host weekly dinners for your housemates. If you’re answering the second prompt, connect your story to a campus club or initiative, like joining a mental health organization if that’s been a focus for you.
Keep your story focused on a specific moment—a game night that brought everyone together, a Holi celebration with friends, or a memorable family dinner. A vivid, detailed narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end will make your essay stand out. Then, connect it to something concrete at Rice or what you’d bring to the table once you’re there. For the first question, connect your narrative to how you’ll engage in the Residential College System. For example, if you wrote about family dinners, you could talk about wanting to organize a fun tradition for your housemates.
For the second prompt, link your story to a club or organization at Rice. If you discussed a mental health initiative you started, for instance, find a related campus group and share how you’d like to join and build on that work. Your connection should clearly show how your story and values align with opportunities at Rice.
We know getting rejected is scry, and we know that applying ED2 might be daunting, but it really is your best choice. And, with an overall acceptance rate in the single digits, you might want to take a second look at the rest of your Common App to be the most competitive Rice applicant you can be. We have lots of advice on how to tackle everything from the Common App essay to the activities section to the additional information section.
Applying ED2 is a smart, strategic choice, and if you need support with your ED2 application to Rice, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!
Need help after an ED rejection? Reach out to us today.