First-year applicants are students who will finish high school by the end of the current academic year. You are also considered a first-year applicant if you are taking college courses while still in high school or if you took time off between high school graduation and starting college. Rice offers three application windows based on your timeline: the Early Decision I deadline is November 1, while the deadlines for both Early Decision II and Regular Decision are January 4. Early Decision I and Early Decision II are binding decision plans for students who have selected Rice as their first choice. Review the First-Year Applicants webpage for more information.

Transfer applicants are students who have earned a high school diploma (or equivalent) and completed at least 12 semester hours of college credit after high school graduation. Rice accepts transfer applications for both spring and fall start dates. The application deadline to start in the spring is October 15, and the deadline to start in the fall is March 15. Review the Transfer Applicants webpage for more information.