How to Take a College Visit to Rice University

Rice University, a private university located in the heart of Houston, adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, has an enrollment of approximately 5,000 students, about 40 percent of whom are pursuing a post-graduate degree. Graduates of the 300-acre campus include U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, writer Larry McMurtry and astronauts Shannon Walker and Peggy Whitson.

Instructions

1. Head to Houston, Texas. Rice University, located in Houston's museum district, is easily accessible from both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Houston's Hobby Airport. The school is also within a day's drive of Dallas, New Orleans, Austin and San Antonio.

2. Tour the campus. Tours are student-led year-round on weekdays at 11 a.m and 3 p.m. and on weekends during the school year at 10:30 a.m. Choose "Prospective Students" from the main page, then "Campus Tours" from the left side for any changes throughout the year. Tours depart from Entrance C of the Admission Office at Lovett Hall. Highlights include classrooms, labs, the library and the student center.

3. Attend an information session. Information sessions, led by a Rice University admissions officer, are an ideal way for prospective students to learn more about campus life, the application process, academic programs and financial aid. These sessions are held year round, on weekdays. A complete schedule is listed on the Rice website. Go to the "Prospective Students" page, choose "About Rice" and then the click on "Visiting Rice." No appointment is necessary.

4. Attend a Rice University class. Prospective students may also attend an actual Rice class during the academic year. Admission officers can help students choose a class that's most appropriate to their field of study. For more information, call [phone].

5. Spend the night in a residential college. Visiting high school seniors can spend the night in one of Rice's nine residential colleges. Visiting students are paired with a Rice student. Overnight stays are only offered during the school year.

Resources

• Read over a series of articles on visiting potential colleges.
• Look up the tour and information session schedules.