Information for Exchange Students
Exchange Schools
Keio University, Japan
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Engineering)
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Sciences)
Jacobs University, Bremen
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Seoul National University, Korea
University of Bristol, England
Trinity College Cambridge, England
Sciences Po, Paris, France
Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico
University of Bologna, Italy
Middle East Technical University, Turkey
University of Leipzig, Germany
Universidad de San Andres, Argentina
Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico, Mexico
Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Technologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay, India
Zhejiang University, China
Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Admission
About the Exchange Student Program
The exchange program at Rice University is an undergraduate program emphasizing the role of international students as ambassadors from their home countries. Accepted exchange students from Rice’s international sister institutions attend university courses of their choosing in semester or year-long programs. Students also take part in other aspects of university life by becoming important members of the residential college system (all exchange students are required to live in this on-campus housing) and through participating in various clubs and organizations. And while international students have the opportunity to experience U.S. culture, the Rice community, in turn, benefits from experiencing other world cultures within its own uniquely diverse setting.
Eligibility
Are you eligible to be an exchange student at Rice University? Only undergraduate students attending Rice’s international sister institutions are eligible to apply to the exchange program. (Graduate students, visiting students, and degree-seeking candidates should consult the Office of Admission.) Admissions decisions are based upon the suitability of academic program, academic excellence, personal essays, and letters of recommendation, as well as the status of Rice's exchange with your home university (see Application Process below).
Application Process
As each university has its own unique internal application procedures for the nomination process, please consult with officials from your home institution. Next you must complete and submit the Rice International Programs Exchange Student Application to Rice University.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be contacted by the Office of International Programs via email and regular mail.
Important Dates
The deadline for primary application components for fall and academic year, is March 1 for Fall entry.
Also, please note that Orientation is mandatory. Orientation for international exchange students begins August 18th and then continues into the general Orientation for all Fall entry students from August 20th-25 th. Campus housing is available as soon as Wednesday, August 16th, but exchange students are to arrive no later than Thursday, August 17th.
Please stay in regular contact with the Office of International Programs (OIP) throughout the application process. Confirm that the OIP has current contact information for you at all times, as we will be mailing important documents to you, including instructions for applying for a student visa.
Registration
In your primary application to Rice University, you will enter your ‘preliminary course information.’ However, by filling out this form, you are not officially registering for classes, nor are you bound to select the same classes when you do register. (There is no guaranteeing, in fact, that a particular course will be available.) This information merely helps the Office of International Programs work with you in determining which courses and departments best suit your interests.
Official registration for all incoming students takes place during Orientation Week. You will personally meet with an academic advisor, who will assist you in selecting classes and guide you through the registration process. However, this meeting will be brief, so it is important that you have a good idea of what courses you would like to take. You might ask other students in your college (such as your O-week advisors, Resident Associates, and College Masters) for recommendations on specific courses or professors.
During the first few weeks of classes, you may opt to add/drop courses if you change your mind about your chosen schedule. Many students choose to take advantage of this flexibility by ‘shopping for courses,’ meaning that in the first two weeks of class they attend classes in which they are not yet enrolled.
Areas of Study
The following areas of study are made available to undergraduate exchange students:
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For a list of courses typically offered in these departments, consult the "Course Catalog" section on the Registrar’s web site at http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~reg/acadinfo/index.html
Also, some courses have on-line syllabi, which may be viewed at http://www.rice.edu/academic/courseweb.html.
Upper-level courses are those designated 300-level or above, and they are meant to be more specialized (as well as more difficult) than lower-level classes. The chosen course level and subject matter will determine class size and format.
Please note that exchange students are not able to enroll in classes at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, the School of Architecture, or the Shepherd School of Music (with a few exceptions such as ‘Choir’ or ‘Piano for Non-majors’). Enrollment in graduate-level courses (course numbers starting with 500) is possible in some cases. If interested in this option, consult International Programs; you will need to obtain special permission from the course instructor and from the Office of International Programs.
See Registration for general information on how to sign up for classes.
Shopping for Courses
"Shopping" for courses is an interesting aspect of Rice’s academic culture. Students are allowed, during the first two weeks of each semester, to attend classes without officially being enrolled in them. Many students find this flexibility to be helpful and sit in on multiple classes in order to see which ones they like best. After meeting the professor, receiving an outline of the subject matter and assignments for the course, and experiencing the first lecture or discussion, some students feel better equipped to make their final decision about whether to add or drop particular courses. However, as soon as these decisions have been made, you must log on to the online "Esther" system (which includes all student services and account information, such as payment balances and registration) to enter your final class schedule. "Esther" and the registration process will be explained in depth during Orientation.
Contact Information
The Office of International Programs and the Office of International Students and Scholars work jointly to provide support services for visiting exchange students. The Office of International Programs serves as the first point of contact and is responsible for the overall administration of the exchange program, which includes the admissions process, orientation, and housing assignments. OIP also assists with academic advising and takes part in planning excursions and other cultural events.
The Office of International Students and Scholars helps students with the visa application process and other immigration-related issues. OISS also offers many opportunities to participate in fun programs, such as free courses on English ‘slang’ and free tickets to cultural events such as the opera or ballet.
Office of International Programs
Contact person: Barbara Harrison, Director of International Programs
Email: abroad@rice.edu
Phone: 713-348-5836
Fax: 713-348-5199
Website: http://www.abroad.rice.edu
Office of International Students and Scholars
Contact person: Lily Lam, M. Ed., L.P.C., Associate Director
Email: llam@rice.edu
Phone: 713-348-6095
Fax: 713-348-6058
Website: http://oiss.rice.edu/
