The first-year applicants page of the Rice University Office of Admission shows that Early Decision I for the 2026-27 cycle closes November 1, 2026, with decisions released by mid-December and an enrollment deposit due by January 4, 2027; Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close January 4, 2027. The supplement has three prompts of 150, 150, and 500 words. Irvine seniors choosing Rice as their Early Decision school have three weeks to finish all three.
Who Is Affected by the Rice University Early Decision I Deadline
Seniors applying to Rice University for fall 2027 entry as their first choice. Early Decision is binding, and admitted students must withdraw other applications. The key points:
| Item | Rice University policy |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I | Due November 1; decisions by mid-December; deposit by January 4; interview request by November 3; Glimpse video by November 10 |
| Early Decision II | Due January 4; decisions by late January; deposit by mid-February |
| Regular Decision | Due January 4; decisions by April 1; reply by May 1; priority interview request by December 14 |
| Application fee | $75, nonrefundable; waivers requested through the Common App; QuestBridge participants automatically qualify |
| Supplement | Prompt 1, 150 words, on the academic areas that draw the applicant; Prompt 2, 150 words, on the aspects of Rice that appeal to the applicant; Prompt 3, 500 words, one of two choices on contributing to residential college life or to the campus community |
| The Box | An optional two-dimensional image, not used for evaluation |
| Recommendations | One counselor letter and two letters from core academic subject teachers |
| Standardized testing | Recommended but not required; applicants without scores receive full consideration; superscored; essay sections not considered; once submitted, scores cannot be withdrawn |
Shepherd School of Music applicants submit additional materials by December 1, and architecture applicants submit a portfolio of up to 10 pages plus two 250-word essays.
What to Do Now About the Rice University Essays
Write the first two prompts separately. One covers the academic field and the other covers Rice itself; each is 150 words and the two should not overlap. The third prompt is 500 words, one of two choices on residential college life or on the perspectives shaped by the applicant’s background, and is the longest piece in the supplement; structure and revision support is available through the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp.
Decide whether to submit test scores. Rice does not require them, but submitted scores cannot be withdrawn, so compare them against each college’s score ranges before deciding; school selection and early strategy are covered by the University Admissions Planning service.
Confirm the binding terms of Early Decision. The differences among early plans are explained in Early Decision vs. Early Action: Which Are Binding.
Sources
- Rice University Office of Admission: First-Year Applicants (accessed October 11, 2026)
- CSU Transfer Priority Filing Ends Nov. 30CSU priority filing for fall 2027 transfer applicants ends November 30, 2026; $70 per campus. ADT admission guarantee, upper-division requirements, and next steps.
- Notre Dame REA Nov. 1; Tests Required Fall 2028Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026. Scores stay optional this cycle; SAT or ACT is required for fall 2028 entry. Dates, essays, and rules.
- Pomona Two Essays, Early Decision Due Nov. 8Pomona College Early Decision I closes November 8, 2026, decisions by December 15. Two supplement prompts of 150 and 250 words, plus recommendation and testing rules.
- Portola High Financial Aid Workshop Oct. 19Portola High School holds a mandatory financial aid workshop for all seniors on October 19, 2026, led by Irvine Valley College, with FSA ID creation. Parent steps first.
