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The Visiting Owls program offers high school juniors, seniors, and visiting undergraduates a chance to earn college credits online or on-campus from a top 20 university that’s redefining learning with a wide range of rigorous, engaging, and unique courses.
Summer Semester 2025: Online or On-Campus
- Special summer tuition at a top 15 university
- High school students get a jumpstart on college credits
- Small class sizes with world-class instructors
- Unique courses covering a range of relevant topics and requirements
- Choose from 6 summer blocks to fit your family’s schedule
Stay up to date for
Summer 2025
The Summer 2024 Visiting Students Application is Closed
The Summer 2024 program is a wrap! Fill out the form to be notified when Summer 2025 information is available.
Special summer tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
| Block | Application Deadline | Block Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Block B1 | April 29, 2024 - CLOSED | May 6 - June 21, 2024 - CLOSED | 7 weeks |
| Summer Block C1 | May 6, 2024 - CLOSED | May 13 - June 21, 2024 - CLOSED | 6 weeks |
| Summer Block D1 | May 20, 2024 - CLOSED | May 28 - August 2, 2024 - CLOSED | 10 weeks |
| Summer Block E1 | June 3, 2024 - CLOSED | June 10 - July 26, 2024 - CLOSED | 7 weeks |
| Summer Block B2 | June 17, 2024 - CLOSED | June 24 - August 9, 2024 - CLOSED | 7 weeks |
| Summer Block C2 | June 24, 2024 - CLOSED | July 1 - August 9, 2024 - CLOSED | 6 weeks |
Resources & FAQs for Parents & Families
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no such thing as a typical Visiting Owls applicant. So, while we did our best to answer the more common questions below, please reach out if you have something else to ask or need more information to share for your school.
- Who is eligible to apply?
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All visiting undergraduate students are invited to apply, and high school students in the Classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept applications from high school students graduating in 2027 or later at this time.
Currently enrolled Rice students should register online via ESTHER as per normal registration processes and procedures for courses they wish to register for.
- How do I apply?
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Step 1: Find an online course you want to take for credit by viewing our Summer 2024 Semester course catalog, when it becomes available.
Step 2: Complete the online application and submit it with the $75 application fee.
Step 3: Send your official transcripts for all educational institutions that you have attended to Rice.
- Are non-U.S. (international) students eligible for the Rice Visiting Owls program?
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Yes, we would encourage non-U.S./International students to apply for an eligible online summer course. For the Visiting Owls summer program, Rice University does not sponsor foreign visas for on-campus attendance at this time.
- I'm a Visiting High School student. For which courses am I eligible to apply in Summer 2024?
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Visit the 2024 Course Schedule when it becomes available and look for the "HS Eligible" icon to see which online or face-to-face summer courses will accept current HS seniors (class of '24), HS juniors (class of '25) or sophomores (class of '26).
If you are a Visiting Undergraduate/College Student, HS eligibility rules don't apply.
- I'm a current High School student who has started my Visiting Owls application. Now, where do I send my official transcript?
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Typically, students should contact their High School to request an official version of their transcript. If you're not sure where to start, ask your High School Guidance Counselor. The process for each school can be slightly different, but official transcripts are usually sent directly to Rice by you or your HS Counselor, preferably as an email to visitingstudents@rice.edu.
- Where to email official transcripts (preferred method): visitingstudents@rice.edu
- Where to mail official transcripts:
Rice University - Visiting Student Programs
Office of the Registrar - MS 57
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892 - When are the application deadlines?
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The application deadlines are tied to the individual course(s) for which you are applying. If you plan to take courses in multiple sessions, your deadline would be the earliest session’s deadline — you do not need to submit multiple applications.
Block Application Deadline Block Dates Duration Summer Block B1 April 29, 2024 May 6 - June 21, 2024 7 weeks Summer Block C1 May 6, 2024 May 13 - June 21, 2024 6 weeks Summer Block D1 May 20, 2024 May 28 - August 2, 2024 10 weeks Summer Block E1 June 3, 2024 June 10 - July 26, 2024 7 weeks Summer Block B2 June 17, 2024 June 24 - August 9, 2024 7 weeks Summer Block C2 June 24, 2024 July 1 - August 9, 2024 6 weeks - What is the cost of attending?
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Reduced summer tuition: $1,000 per credit hour. For more information, see the Rice Bursar's Visiting Students information.
- Will this help my chances of being accepted as a Rice undergraduate?
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Admission to Rice Summer Sessions does not in any way influence your admission to Rice as an undergraduate.
- Have more questions?
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Contact us at visitingstudents@rice.edu.
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Unconventional Courses, Online or In-Person
Rice's engaging content and world-class experiences are designed to challenge, engage, and redefine high-quality learning.
Earn college credits online or face-to-face at a top 20 university
Choose from 6 summer blocks to fit your schedule
High-demand STEM+ courses with special summer tuition of $1,000 per credit hour