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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
Key Dates & Deadlines
APPLICATION OPENS DEC. 6, 2025
Pack your summer with new thinking. This May - August 2025, Rice University’s Summer Scholars program will offer 6 summer blocks to fit your schedule.
| Block | Application Deadline | Block Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Block B1 | May 5, 2025 | May 12 - June 27, 2025 | 7 weeks |
| Summer Block C1 | May 12, 2025 | May 19 - June 27, 2025 | 6 weeks |
| Summer Block D1 | May 27, 2025 | June 2 - August 8, 2025 | 10 weeks |
| Summer Block E1 | June 9, 2025 | June 16 - August 1, 2025 | 7 weeks |
| Summer Block B2 | June 23, 2025 | June 30 - August 15, 2025 | 7 weeks |
| Summer Block C2 | June 30, 2025 | July 7 - August 15, 2025 | 6 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no such thing as a typical Summer Scholars 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 2025, 2026, or 2027.
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept applications from high school students graduating in 2028 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 a course you want to take for credit by browsing our Summer 2025 Visiting Students course schedule.
Step 2: Complete your online application with all required documents and forms, and submit it with the application fee. Please refer to the application instructions for Visiting High School students and those for Visiting Undergraduate students.
Step 3: Once everything has been received and your Visiting Student application is complete, you will be contacted regarding your acceptance by Rice's Office of the Registrar.
- Are non-U.S. (international) students eligible for the Rice Summer Scholars program?
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Yes, we encourage non-U.S./International students to apply for an eligible online summer course. For the Summer Scholars 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 2025?
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Visit the Summer 2025 Visiting Student Course Schedule and look for the "HS Eligible" icon to see which online or face-to-face summer courses will accept current HS seniors (class of '25), HS juniors (class of '26) or sophomores (class of '27).
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 Summer Scholars 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 May 5, 2025 May 12 - June 27, 2025 7 weeks Summer Block C1 May 12, 2025 May 19 - June 27, 2025 6 weeks Summer Block D1 May 27, 2025 June 2 - August 8, 2025 10 weeks Summer Block E1 June 9, 2025 June 16 - August 1, 2025 7 weeks Summer Block B2 June 23, 2025 June 30 - August 15, 2025 7 weeks Summer Block C2 June 30, 2025 July 7 - August 15, 2025 6 weeks - What is the cost of attending?
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Reduced summer tuition: $1,200 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
Tap into your curiosity with courses that challenge, engage, and redefine high-quality learning.
Earn college credits online or face-to-face at a top 20 university
Convention-breaking, curiosity-seeking, world-class faculty
High-demand courses with special summer tuition of $1,200 per credit hour
Questions?
Let's Answer Them.
