HOW TO APPLY

Admission for undergraduate music study at Rice University is a two-step process. First, you must submit a complete application for admission to Rice. Secondly, you must schedule and perform an audition at the Shepherd School.

For specific information about applying to Rice, please click on one of the following: Freshman Applicants, Transfer Applicants, International Applicants

Freshman applicants must submit the Common Application and the Rice Supplement to the Common Application, along with the appropriate supporting documentation listed below. Rice strongly encourages online submission of the Common Application and the Rice Supplement, both available at www.commonapp.org.

A complete application for music to Rice consists of the following:

• The Common Application 
• The Rice Supplement to the Common Application 
• A $60 nonrefundable application fee
• Official high school transcript
• SAT score or ACT score with the writing test
• Two SAT Subject Tests (choice of subjects at applicant’s discretion)
• School Report 
• One Teacher Evaluation
• Midyear Report (to be submitted when senior midyear grades become available)
• Rice Signature Page for those who submit their application online (this form must be printed and mailed to the Rice Admission Office)
• A personal interview on or off campus is OPTIONAL, but recommended
• Schedule and perform an audition at the Shepherd School of Music

Music applicants are encouraged to apply under the Regular Decision Plan. Applications for Regular Decision must be submitted by January 2, 2008.

Any items listed above that must be mailed should be sent directly to the Rice University Office of Admission, MS-17, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892. Do NOT mail them to the Shepherd School of Music.

Please click here to download a freshman applicant checklist.

Transfer applicants should have a grade point average of at least 3.20 in their recent college work and should submit the following:

• Transfer Common Application
• Rice Supplement to the Transfer Common Application
• A nonrefundable $60 application fee
• SAT or ACT scores
• Final high school transcript
• All official college transcript(s) 
• A transcript listing courses in progress
• College Official's Report
• Two College Instructor Evaluations

• Rice Signature Page for those who submit their application online (this form must be printed and mailed to the Rice Admission Office)
• Schedule and perform an audition at the Shepherd School of Music

Applications for transfer admission for Fall 2008 enrollment must be submitted by March 15, 2008.

Any items listed above that must be mailed should be sent directly to the Rice University Office of Admission, MS-17, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892. Do NOT mail them to the Shepherd School of Music.

Please click here to download a transfer applicant checklist.

International applicants must submit the following:

• The Common Application
• The Rice Supplement to the Common Application
• The International Student Financial Statement
• A $60 nonrefundable application fee
• Official copies of all secondary and university-level transcripts and/or nationally sponsored or administered examinations
• School official (counselor, principal, dean of students) recommendation
• Teacher or faculty member recommendation
• SAT or ACT with the writing test
• Two SAT Subject test scores (freshman applicants ONLY; choice of subjects at applicant’s discretion)
• TOEFL score *
• Schedule and perform an audition at the Shepherd School of Music

*Applicants whose first language and language of instruction is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 100 on the Internet-based test.

International applicants must supply documentation of sufficient financial support for their first year of study at Rice before an application for admission can be processed. Need-based financial aid at Rice is available only to U.S. citizens and documented permanent residents. All accepted freshman applicants will be considered for merit awards based on academic and individual excellence. However, these awards should not be expected to cover the full cost of a Rice education.

Music applicants are encouraged to apply under the Regular Decision Plan. Applications for Regular Decision must be submitted by January 2, 2008.

Any items listed above that must be mailed should be sent directly to the Rice University Office of Admission, MS-17, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892. Do NOT mail them to the Shepherd School of Music.

Please click here to download an international applicant checklist.