Rice Jones

Houston, TX · Private · 2-year full-time

Average GMAT Focus: 644
Average GPA: 3.46
Class size: 134 (Class of 2027)
Median base salary: $141,500 (Class of 2025)
Program tuition: $158,232 (≈ 2 × first-year tuition)

Deadlines

Round 1: Oct. 16, 2026
Round 2: Jan. 6, 2027
Round 3: March 31, 2027
Round 4 (domestic only): June 1, 2027

Essays

Short answer 1 (100 words)

In 100 words or less, please share your short-term career goals.

Short answer 2 (100 words)

In 100 words or less, please share your long-term career goals.

Creative essay (500 words, or a one- to three-minute video)

While we know a picture is worth 1000 words, in 500 words or less tell us the story of a photo of your choosing that has significant value in your life experiences. Please feel free to share your photo! You can complete this essay via a traditional written response (500-word limit) or via a video response (one to three-minute time limit).

Optional essay (500 words)

If you have any additional information for the admissions committee or if you wish to clarify any aspect of your application (including breaks in employment, your choice of recommendation providers, your past academic performance, etc.), you may submit an additional, optional essay.

Re-applicant essay (re-applicants only) (500 words)

Think about the time that has elapsed since you last applied to Rice Business. What actions have you taken to improve your candidacy?

Editor's notes

Round 1 closes Oct. 16. Rice gives Round 1 and 2 applicants priority for merit scholarships, and nearly every Full-Time student gets one. If money matters, Jan. 6 is your real last call, and Round 4 isn't open to international applicants at all.
The written load is light: 200 words on goals and one story. That puts more weight on your resume, the extracurricular section and your recommender. Use the full activities section; Rice says it's there because it wants to know who you are outside work.
A test waiver isn't a shortcut here. You need three years of work plus a quantitative credential, the waiver must be approved before you can submit, and Rice warns that a waived file has one less piece to judge. If your quant record is thin, the test is the stronger move.
Prepare for two screens after review: a recorded video interview and a live Zoom conversation. The video asks why Rice and how you fit its culture, so have a specific answer ready before the invitation arrives.