Rice University Students: Accents And Their Influence

Rice University is a diverse community of students from a range of socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, and other backgrounds. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate majors across seven academic schools of study, including architecture, business, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences. The university also offers a foreign language program with non-credit classes in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. The program offers small group classes, averaging 12 students per class, and students receive a certificate with 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for satisfactory completion of each eight-week course. The university has a holistic evaluation review process for admissions, considering a variety of factors such as the rigor of a student's coursework, academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays, and knowledge about the Rice community. International applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency by completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum or submitting official test scores.

Rice University's English language requirements for international students

Rice University is committed to enrolling a diverse class of talented students from across the world. The university's English language requirements for international students are designed to evaluate each applicant's merits and potential to succeed at Rice, including their proficiency in the English language. These requirements vary slightly for undergraduate and graduate applicants.

Undergraduate International Applicants

Undergraduate international applicants at Rice University are foreign nationals who will complete high school by the end of the current academic year. Foreign nationals are students living outside the U.S. or living in the U.S. with a valid F-1, J-1, H-1, H-4, etc. visa/status, as well as those pending Permanent Residency status. International applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee of $75, which cannot be waived.

Rice University requires undergraduate international applicants whose first language is not English to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways:

• Completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum before submitting an application.
• Submitting official test scores from one of the following English language proficiency tests:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or iBT Home Edition is required.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum score of 7 is required.
• Cambridge English Exams (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency): official scores must be sent directly from the testing organization.

Graduate International Applicants

Graduate international applicants at Rice University are foreign nationals or individuals whose native language is not English. These applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the following options:

• A degree from an accredited U.S. high school, college, or university.
• A minimum score of 90 on the TOEFL iBT or iBT Home Edition.
• A minimum score of 7 on the IELTS.
• A minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo test of English proficiency.
• Proof of completion or expected completion of a post-secondary degree from an institution where English is the official language of instruction.

Rice University also accepts other demonstrations of English proficiency on a case-by-case basis. For example, for 2024 admissions, Rice will not accept the ITP Plus test as an English proficiency evaluation, but scores and interviews can be reported as supplemental material via Vericant.

Rice University's Foreign Language Program

The program offers classes in eight foreign languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. There are four sessions of weekday evening classes offered yearly during winter, spring, summer, and fall. Each session is eight weeks long, with three hours of class per week. The cost of enrollment for 2024 is $490 per eight-week session, increasing to $500 in 2025. Students who are not beginners in Spanish or French must take a placement test, while non-beginner students of other languages will be contacted for a phone placement interview before classes begin.

Rice University's Language courses also offer English as a Second Language classes for students looking to improve their English proficiency. The Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication at Rice University promotes multilingualism and intercultural communication through its language courses. The Center offers classes in nine languages and provides resources for language instructors and students in the health professions, such as Medical Spanish.

The diversity of Rice University's student body

Rice University seeks to empower the varied voices of its multifaceted students so that they may be heard. The university values the breadth of socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, racial or ethnic, educational, and other perspectives that each student brings. The university evaluates applicants holistically, considering factors such as the rigor of a student's coursework, academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays, and knowledge about the Rice community.

Rice University also offers a range of foreign language classes, including Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. These classes are open to non-university students and are designed for adults who have graduated from secondary school. The classes are small, with an average of 12 students per class, and are taught by instructors who care about the subject and enjoy teaching it.

Rice University's admissions process also includes an optional interview for first-year applicants, which is a great way for students to showcase their academic and personal successes and learn more about the campus experience.

Rice University's acceptance of self-taught language learners

Rice University is committed to enrolling a diverse class of talented students from across the world. The university's policies are designed to evaluate each applicant based on their individual merits and potential to succeed at Rice. The university offers a range of language courses that cater to self-taught language learners, including those who are entirely new to a language and those who are more proficient.

Rice University's Foreign Language Program offers non-credit classes in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. These classes are designed for adults and are offered in progressive levels throughout the year. Each class is eight weeks long, with four sessions offered yearly during the winter, spring, summer, and fall. The cost of enrollment is $490 per eight-week session in 2024 and will increase to $500 in 2025. Students do not receive academic credit for these language classes but will receive a certificate with 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon satisfactory completion of each eight-week course.

Rice University also offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for students looking to improve their English proficiency. International first-year applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways: by completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum or by submitting official test scores from an approved English language test. Approved tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Duolingo English Test. Rice University requires a minimum score of 90 on the TOEFL, a minimum score of 7 on the IELTS, and a minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test.

Rice University's language courses bring the world alive through language and culture, supporting students' career growth and personal development. The university's commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its acceptance of self-taught language learners and its range of language courses offered to meet the needs of its diverse student body.

Rice University's policy on international student financial statements

Rice University offers need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants entering in the fall semester. The university meets 100% of demonstrated needs with institutional grant aid. However, international students are not eligible for federal aid or The Rice Investment, a financial aid program for families with lower incomes. To be considered for financial aid, international students must complete the CSS Profile form and submit income documentation.

Rice University's international need-based aid policy is need-aware. This means that students who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., or in refugee status are considered international, and the student's financial need will be considered for both admission and financial aid. When the Committee for Admission evaluates such applications, the amount of financial aid a family might need is taken into consideration. Students who wish to be considered for financial aid must indicate their intention to apply for aid on the admission application. International students admitted without a request for financial aid cannot apply for aid in subsequent years.

International applicants who are not requesting financial aid must show official documentation (appropriate affidavits and/or scholarship awards) of resources sufficient to cover the costs of the first year of study before their files can be reviewed for admission.

All international applicants living outside the U.S. or in the U.S. must complete the International Student Financial Statement and supply the appropriate supporting documentation. International applicants not requesting financial aid must demonstrate the ability to finance their education at Rice. Those requesting financial aid must provide information about their family financial status.

To complete the required International Student Financial Statement, applicants will need to do the following:

• Indicate if they will or will not be requesting financial aid.
• Submit all bank statements or affidavits supporting total funds available to go towards the total cost of attendance. Tax documents and proof of income are not accepted as supporting documentation.
• Submit all award letters or documentation supporting any scholarship funds available to go towards the total cost of attendance.
• Provide an explanation of how the applicant plans to cover the cost of attendance if the total sum of available funds is below the required amount.

All supporting financial documentation must be in English and converted to US dollars.

Frequently asked questions