Rice University

• CV/ResumeRequired

  PDF; the most current version is appreciated.

• Statement of PurposeRequired

  PDF. No prompt or length limit is published on the program pages.

• TranscriptsRequired

  Electronic copies of transcripts are required from each college or university that you have attended, submitted through the online application system. If offered admission, official copies of each transcript must be mailed directly to the department.

• Three letters of recommendation3 letters

  The pages don't say who the recommenders should be.

  At least three letters of recommendation are required. You submit letter writer names and email addresses in the online application, which emails each writer a secure link to submit the letter.

• GRE (optional)Optional

  Applicants may optionally (but are not required to) submit scores for the GRE general exam. The ETS school code for Rice is 6609. GRE subject test scores are not required. The program page says 'GRE recommended, but not required'.

• Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFL iBTIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  Duolingo English Test: At least 115 on the Duolingo test of English proficiency.

  IELTS: At least 7 on the IELTS (Academic IELTS test).

  TOEFL iBT: At least a 90 on the iBT TOEFL or iBT Home Edition. TOEFL school code 6609. Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies page: for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.5; myBest scores are not accepted.

  Waiver / exemption: Not needed with proof of a degree from an accredited U.S. high school, college, or university, or proof of completion (or expected completion) of a post-secondary degree from an institution where the official language of instruction is in English. Only applicants who are foreign nationals and those whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency.

• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  PTE isn't on the list of ways to show English proficiency (U.S. degree, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or a degree taught in English).

Who can apply

• Bachelor's degreeRequired

  A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an international institution officially recognized by that country's Ministry of Education or its equivalent. Rice does not accept the Higher National Diploma as an equivalent degree.

• 3.0+ GPARequired

  Listed among the admission requirements ('Applicants should prepare: … 3.0+ GPA').