Q. Does Rice University offer campus tours for prospective students?
A. The Office of Admission at Rice University offers campus tours and information sessions for prospective students and their families. For a complete schedule of tours and information sessions, please visit the Office of Admission Campus Tour page.

Q. How do I set up a campus tour for a school or community group?
A. To set up a special group tour for high school students (grades 9 - 12), please contact the Office of Admission at 713-348-RICE (7423).

To set up a special group tour for elementary or middle school students or a community organization, please visit the Rice Welcome Center Group Tour page.

Q. Where can I find information on undergraduate admission at Rice?
A. Information on undergraduate admission is available at http://futureowls.rice.edu/. Prospective students and parents with additional questions on undergraduate admission may contact the Office of Admission at 713-348-RICE, or 1-800-527-OWLS.

Q. Where can I find information on graduate admission at Rice?
A. Information on graduate admission is available at the Office of Research and Graduate Studies website. At Rice, all graduate student admission is conducted through individual academic apartments rather than a centralized "graduate school." Prospective graduate students should contact the department in which they wish to study to inquire about admission requirements and to obtain application materials. The Office of Research and Graduate Studies website offers a list of academic departments as well as links to each of their websites.

Q. How can I obtain a Rice University course catalog?
A. The Rice University catalog is known as the General Announcements. Please contact the Office of Admission at 713-348-RICE or 1-800-527-OWLS for a copy.

Q. I am a prospective student from outside the U.S. Who can I speak to about my Visa and other special concerns I might have?
A. The Office of International Students and Scholars is an excellent resource for prospective, new, and current Rice undergraduates and graduate students. They provide international students and scholars with advice and documentation necessary to maintain their legal status in the U.S., as well as assist in their adaptation to American culture and campus life. You may visit their website, or contact this office at 713-348-6095. They are located in A102 Abercrombie Lab.

Q. Where is Rice University located and how can I get there?
A. Rice University is located at 6100 Main St., Houston, TX, 77005. For directions to Rice University and maps of campus please visit Maps & Directions.

 Q. Where can I park at Rice?
A. Visitor parking at Rice University is available in six different locations around campus. For a campus map detailing lot locations, fees, and payment methods, please visit the Rice University Campus Map online.

Q. What hotels are near Rice University?
A. There are several excellent hotels within a short walking or driving distance from Rice University. Many offer discounts as well as a shuttle service to Rice visitors. Please visit the following websites for a list of hotels:

Hotels within 5 miles of Rice University
Houston Area Hotels

Q. Where can I purchase Rice t-shirts and other souvenirs?
A. The Rice University Bookstore, located on the first floor of the Rice Student Center, is your one stop shopping location for all things Rice. During the summer, the Rice University Bookstore is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm, and is closed on weekends.

Q. How can I find more information on an event or lecture at Rice?
A. The Rice News webpage offers links to the university events calendar, departmental calendars, Rice News (university newspaper) and the Rice Thresher (student newspaper). You may be able to find more information on a particular university event or lecture by scanning through these calendars.

Q. Is the library open for the general public to visit?
A. Fondren Library is open during the summer Monday through Thursday, 7am to 9pm; Friday, 7am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 6pm; and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. Visitors may access research materials and library resources, including computers.

Q. Where and what is the Rice Village?
A. The Rice Village is a collection of shops and eateries located west of the Rice University campus in between Morningside and Kirby Drive. The Rice Village boasts over 70 restaurants to choose from, along with stores that sell everything from clothing and jewelry to model trains and art frames.

Q. I would like to conduct a bridal or portrait photography shoot at Rice University. How do I obtain permission and is there a fee?
A. For complete information on bridal and portrait photography at Rice University, please visit http://portraits.rice.edu/. All photographers who wish to conduct a bridal or portrait photography shoot at Rice University should register with the university and pay a $100 registration fee. As a registered photographer, you may schedule photography appointments for your clients to be photographed in designated locations at Rice University. Again, please visit http://portraits.rice.edu/ for complete bridal and portrait photography guidelines.

Q. I would like to conduct a commercial photography shoot at Rice. How do I obtain permission and is there a fee?
A. Requests for filming and photographic use of the Rice campus for commercial use or promotional reproduction should be made in writing using the On Campus Photo Shoot & Filming Request form. For a copy of this form, and complete guidelines on photography and filming at Rice University, please visit http://www.rice.edu/photo. Requests should be submitted a minimum of five days prior to your need-to-know deadline to allow time for appropriate approvals to be sought.

Q. Where can I find information on the English as a Second Language program at Rice?
A. The English as a Second Language program at Rice University is offered through the School of Continuing Studies. There are intensive English and communication skills courses available throughout the year, as well as special programs for professional or corporate needs. For more information, please visit the English as a Second Language Program website, or contact the program office via phone 713-348-4019 or email esl@rice.edu. The ESL program office is located in the Speros P. Martel Center for Continuing Studies.

Q. Does Rice University offer non-credit continuing education courses?
A. The School of Continuing Studies at Rice University offers non-credit continuing education courses for personal and professional development. A large number of courses in different academic disciplines and professional fields are offered each semester. For more information on the School of Continuing Studies, please visit their website, call 713-348-4803, or email scs@rice.edu. The School of Continuing Studies is located in the Speros P. Martel Center for Continuing Studies.

Q. Where can I find information on off-campus housing near Rice?
A. There are a few housing search options available. Each year Rice University's Student Association publishes an Off-Campus Housing Guide for Rice students, available online. This publication describes the different neighborhoods around Rice, general apartment hunting information, and a listing of large apartment complexes near Rice. The Rice University Student Center publishes an Online Off-Campus Housing page which lists several housing availabilities near Rice. The Graduate Student Association Yellow Pages also offers apartment listings and reviews. You may also want to check out the apartment listings in the Houston Press, Houston Chronicle, and Greensheet (available online or in print).