Fall 2027 entry

Your plan for Rice University

Next deadline: Early Decision I: Application deadline · Nov. 1, 2026 · 10 steps · 6 documents

Before you apply

  • Suggested start: ED I: request an optional interview

    Oct. 27, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: Optional campus visit or virtual event

    Nov. 9, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: RD: ask counselor and two core teachers for letters

    Nov. 23, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: RD: apply and request interview for priority interview consideration

    Dec. 9, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: RD: submit application and $75 fee (or waiver)

    Dec. 21, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

Application

  • Early Decision I: Application deadline

    Nov. 1, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision I: Interview request deadline

    Nov. 3, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision I: Optional Glimpse video due

    Nov. 10, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Shepherd School of Music: all materials due

    Dec. 1, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Apply by this date for priority interview consideration

    Dec. 14, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Priority interview request deadline

    Dec. 16, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision II: Application deadline

    Jan. 4, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Application deadline

    Jan. 4, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision II: Interview request deadline

    Jan. 6, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Interview request deadline

    Jan. 6, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision II: Optional Glimpse video due

    Jan. 12, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Optional Glimpse video due

    Jan. 12, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

Tests and scores

  • Last applicable test dates

    Freshman Testing Deadlines: Early Decision I September (ACT) October (SAT); Early Decision II December December; Regular Decision December December

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

Essays and recommendations

  • Suggested start: ED I: submit Common App + Rice supplement + ED agreement

    Oct. 18, 2026

    Suggested start has passed. Begin when you can.

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: RD: draft 3 Rice supplement essays and The Box

    Nov. 23, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

Financial aid

  • 2027–2028 FAFSA opens

    Oct. 1, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: ED I: CSS Profile, FAFSA and IDOC

    Oct. 25, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision I: Financial aid forms due

    Nov. 15, 2026

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision I: Financial aid award notification

    Mid-Dec

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: RD: CSS Profile, FAFSA and IDOC

    Jan. 4, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision II: Financial aid forms due

    Jan. 4, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Financial aid forms due

    Feb. 1, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

After you apply

  • Early Decision I: Decisions released

    by mid-December

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision I: Reply / enrollment deposit deadline

    Jan. 4, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision II: Decisions released

    by late January

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Early Decision II: Reply / enrollment deposit deadline

    by mid-February

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Decisions released

    April 1, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Suggested start: RD: decide and submit enrollment deposit

    April 17, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

  • Regular Decision: Reply / enrollment deposit deadline

    May 1, 2027

    Official pageChecked Oct. 24, 2026

Cost of attendance (2026-27)

  • What the total covers: Undergraduates entered 2024 & later
  • On campus: $97,309
  • Living with family: $83,379
  • Tuition: $71,140
  • Mandatory fees: $984
  • Not included: Freshman $370 Orientation Week fee; travel estimate ($300 in-state, $700 out-of-state); health insurance if no comparable coverage

From the school's site

  • Early Decision I closes Nov. 1, with interview requests due Nov. 3 and aid forms (CSS Profile, FAFSA, IDOC) due Nov. 15. Source
  • ED I and ED II are binding. If admitted, withdraw every other application, submit no new ones, and pay the deposit (ED I by Jan. 4). The ED agreement is required. Source
  • Rice aid needs three things by the plan deadline: CSS Profile, FAFSA and IDOC tax documents. Divorced or separated parents each complete their own CSS Profile. Source
  • Regular Decision applications are due Jan. 4 but RD aid forms are due Feb. 1. They are different dates. Source
  • Interviews are optional but recommended. You must request one by the plan date (ED I Nov. 3; RD priority Dec. 16; ED II and RD Jan. 6). They are not guaranteed. Source
  • Once you opt in to have test scores considered, you cannot opt out or remove them. The last usable test for ED I is the October SAT or September ACT. Source
  • Music (Shepherd School) applicants have a Dec. 1 deadline for all materials and cannot apply ED I, ED II or QuestBridge. Source
  • Regular Decision applicants must send mid-year 12th-grade grades when available. Transcripts cannot be emailed. Source
  • Rice can close your application if you are admitted under a binding Early Decision plan at another school. Source
  • The cost of attendance does not include the $370 freshman Orientation Week fee, travel, or health insurance if you lack comparable coverage. Source

Dates come from Rice University's site, checked Oct. 24, 2026. Always confirm on the official page. Pathwise doesn't predict admission or write essays.

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