"The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?" (500-word limit)
b. Community of Change Agents
"Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or cultural identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?" (500-word limit)
Rice 'Community' Essay Slides
Q: How to select your prompt?
A:
Choose the prompt that best reflects your story.
Residential College is about character and social contribution.
Community of Change Agents is about leadership and impact.
The strength of your story matters more than the prompt.
Q: What to write for Residential Colleges?
A:
Tell a story about your unique social experience.
Example: Growing up in a co-op, I learned to value shared resources and negotiation.
Connect this experience to a specific aspect of college life.
Example: I'll use my experience to manage the study room schedule.
Q: How to prove you are a change agent?
A:
Focus on a single, precise problem you identified.
Example: My community lacked a recycling program for electronics.
Describe the exact steps you took to solve the problem.
Show how your efforts created a measurable outcome.
Q: How will you make an impact at Rice?
A:
Link your past actions to a specific group at Rice.
Example: My experience with electronics recycling will fuel my work with the Rice Environmental Club.
Show a clear vision for how you'll contribute.
This is a story of your future potential, demonstrated by your past.
Q: Final check and what to avoid?
A:
Do not list facts about Rice without a personal connection.
Stay within the 250-word limit.
Focus on your unique experience, not a generic one.
One of Rice’s long-standing traditions is “The Box.” This question asks all applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them.
Purpose: The Box allows you to present an image that shares something about yourself, your interests, or what is meaningful to you. It is not used for evaluative purposes in the application.
Content: Choose an image that speaks for itself and does not need an explanation.
Format: The Box must be a two-dimensional image. Upload it in the Common Application or the Rice Admission Student Portal.
Rice 'The Box' Essay Slides
Q: What is the purpose of "The Box"?
A:
The image is your final statement.
It should reveal a personal trait or passion.
The image must stand alone. No text.
It offers a unique insight that words cannot.
Q: How do I choose my image?
A:
Select a photo that tells a story.
Example: A photo of a worn-out map you used on a significant trip.
Example: A hand-drawn sketch of a character from your story.
It should connect to your values or goals.
Q: What should I not choose?
A:
Avoid selfies or group photos.
Do not use generic photos like a sunset or a coffee cup.
Never use an image that needs a caption to be understood.
Avoid obvious clichés.
Q: How do I know I've picked a good image?
A:
Show the image to a friend. If they ask for an explanation, it is not the right choice.
Your image should align with your personal narrative.
It should be a final, visual piece of evidence for your application.
Q: Final tips?
A:
The image is an opportunity, not a burden.
Use this space to add a new dimension to your story.
