Shield
Rice University The Office of Student Success Initiatives

New Student Checklist

Congratulations on being accepted into the Rice University Matriculating Class of 2025! We are busily preparing for your arrival on campus in August, but there are a number of things that you should be doing to prepare for becoming a new owl. Part of us preparing for your arrival is to have a complete list of tasks for you to complete and ease your transition to Rice. This page is updated regularly beginning in May and throughout the summer.

Below you will find information and links to a variety of forms to be completed and reminders of things to look into before you arrive on campus for O-Week. Please pay close attention to deadlines as missing some can prevent you from registering for classes, moving onto campus, or fully engaging in O-Week until they have been addressed.

March 2025

Please note that some deadlines or checklist items fall on the same date.

March 30 - Health Data Form Becomes Available

ALL new undergraduate students are required to submit a properly completed Health Data Form (HDF) to Student Health. This will require a visit to your medical provider’s office. All students under the age of 22 years, regardless of classification, must provide documentation of vaccination against meningococcal disease. Complete tuberculosis screening requirements are also listed on the student Health Data Form.

The HDF form and instructions are now available and can be found here: https://health.rice.edu/new-students/health-data-form

In order to receive your college assignment, you must submit the meningitis vaccination information (vaccine or waiver).

In order to register for courses, the entire form, including the physical exam, must be completed.

May 2025

Please note that some deadlines or checklist items fall on the same date.

May 1 - Review Financial Aid Requirements

Log into Esther and click on the Financial Aid tab to complete any remaining financial aid requirements and confirm your FAFSA* has been received. You will need your NetID and password.

If you don't remember your password or need to reset it, please contact the OIT Help Desk at helpdesk@help.rice.edu or call 713-348 4357.
*The FAFSA is only required from US citizens and permanent residents applying for aid.

May 9 - NetID and Email Account Setup

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) offers computing services and support to students and the OIT Help Desk can answer your questions (see below).

Setting up Rice accounts

Your NetID is a combination of your initials and numbers and was emailed to you in a welcome message from OIT. Follow the steps below to set up your NetID and gain access to Rice systems including:

- Google for email, Calendar, Drive and more (https://kb.rice.edu/103604)
- Canvas course management system (https://www.rice.edu/canvas)
- ESTHER system that students use for registration, billing, and other
information (https://esther.rice.edu)
- Logging into lab computers (https://kb.rice.edu/112418)

Set up your NetID

Visit https://mynetid.rice.edu, and select Activate Your NetID. You will then be asked to enter your Student ID number to create a NetID password.

Set up two-factor authentication

You must enroll in two-factor authentication using Duo, which provides
additional security for access to university data, personal data and some
accounts. Duo offers several options for authenticating users: a mobile
push notification, one-button verification of identity to a smartphone, as
well as voice and SMS verification. Duo will be required when logging in
to Esther, using VPN to access university resources from off campus, and
to access the Online Account Management System for your NetID. For
instructions, see Duo: Enrollment Guide (https://kb.rice.edu/78235). See
also VPN: Complete Guide to VPN (https://kb.rice.edu/82263), which
explains how to use VPN and Duo to login to the Esther system.

Checking your Rice email

After the acceptance process, all official Rice communications will only be sent to your new Rice email address so it is important to set it up and to check your email frequently. You may access your email by logging into Google with your basic Rice email address, netid@rice.edu, and your NetID password.

Need help?

OIT offers computing services and support to students, for more
information, go to: https://oit.rice.edu/welcome.

Contact the OIT Help Desk (see details below) if you need assistance or
have questions. Be sure to check out the OIT KnowledgeBase
(https://kb.rice.edu) for news and announcements or to search for more
information about services.

May 10 Due to Rice - Esther Log-in

Please log into Esther and click on the "Welcome to Rice" tab to begin completing your online enrollment forms. You will need your NetID and password.

If you don't remember your password password or need to reset it, please contact the OIT Help Desk at helpdesk@help.rice.edu or call 713-348 4357.

May 28 – June 2: FWIS Writing Assessment (Session One)

All students must complete the FWIS Writing Assessment prior to matriculating.

Based on their results on the assessment, students may be placed into either FWIS 100 Introduction to Academic Writing or directly into FWIS 101-299 (various
topics). Students who do not complete the FWIS Writing Assessment will be placed automatically into FWIS 100. Students who are placed into FWIS 100 must successfully complete that course during their first semester, prior to enrolling in the FWIS 101-299 course used to meet the graduation requirement. All new students (including freshmen, transfers, and international students) must take the FWIS Writing Assessment during one of the two times it is offered.

The FWIS Writing Assessment closes at 1:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-6) on the last day of each session. Visit the FWIS Writing Assessment Information site for more about the FWIS Writing Assessment. For questions, please contact fwiswritingassessment@rice.edu.

Assessment dates:

Session 1 : May 28 – June 2

Session 2 : June 25 – June 30

June 2025

Please note that some deadlines or checklist items fall on the same date.

June 1 Due to Rice - College Information Form

New students will receive an email from oweek@rice.edu subject line “Complete the New Student Forms Now Available in Esther” when their forms and questionnaires are ready. Once you have access to those, please start completing them. You must complete all forms and questionnaires as outlined, even if you have selected a roommate who is on the housing waiting list or plans to live off-campus.

Questions concerning your forms should be directed to First Year Programs at oweek@rice.edu. If you need to reset your form, please reach out to oweek@rice.edu and the instructions will be in the automatic reply.

June 1 Due to Rice - Academic Advising Questionnaire

The information gathered in this questionnaire will provide academic advisors with critical information about your academic interests, academic preparedness, and educational goals. Please be thorough as it will enhance our ability to provide the best advice regarding curricular and extracurricular opportunities.

Please log onto Esther to complete this form.

Send questions to the Office of Academic Advising at aadv@rice.edu or call 713-348-4060. If you need to reset your form, please reach out to oweek@rice.edu and the instructions will be in the automatic reply.

June 1 Due to Rice - New Student Information Form

New students will receive an email from oweek@rice.edu subject line “Complete the New Student Forms Now Available in Esther” when their forms and questionnaires are ready. Once you have access to those, please start completing them. You must complete all forms and questionnaires as outlined, even if you have selected a roommate who is on the housing waiting list or plans to live off-campus.

Questions concerning your forms should be directed to First Year Programs at oweek@rice.edu. If you need to reset your form, please reach out to oweek@rice.edu and the instructions will be in the automatic reply.

June 1 Due to Rice - Personal Roommate Matching Form

New students will receive an email from oweek@rice.edu subject line “Complete the New Student Forms Now Available in Esther” when their forms and questionnaires are ready. Once you have access to those, please start completing them. You must complete all forms and questionnaires as outlined, even if you have selected a roommate who is on the housing waiting list or plans to live off-campus.

Questions concerning your forms should be directed to First Year Programs at oweek@rice.edu. If you need to reset your form, please reach out to oweek@rice.edu and the instructions will be in the automatic reply.

June 1 Due to Rice - Parent/Guardian Information Form

New students will receive an email from oweek@rice.edu subject line “Complete the New Student Forms Now Available in Esther” when their forms and questionnaires are ready. Once you have access to those, please start completing them. You must complete all forms and questionnaires as outlined, even if you have selected a roommate who is on the housing waiting list or plans to live off-campus.

Send questions to Araceli Lopez in Student Success Initiatives at al14@rice.edu or call 713-348-4345. If you need to reset your form, please reach out to oweek@rice.edu and the instructions will be in the automatic reply.

June 1 Due to Rice - Disability Housing Accommodation Requests

All requests for housing accommodations, including those requesting rooms without carpet due to allergies, private restrooms due to health issues, etc., must be preapproved by Disability Resource Center. The Preliminary Notification of Disability-Related Needs should be completed online. (Please see the Disability Resource Center website at https://drc.rice.edu for more information about housing and other accommodation requests.)

Send questions to Disability Resource Center at adarice@rice.edu or call 713-348-5841.

June 1 - June 30 - Online Language Placement Tests Available

Interested in learning another language? Choose from 9 languages: Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. If you have no prior experience with that language, you can enroll in the 141 course. If you have experience with a language, you must take the Language Placement Test before registering. The placement test is not required for 300 and 400-level courses in French and German or Spanish courses numbered 330 or higher. 

To access the test, please visit http://clic.rice.edu/placement-test. Click on the link to access a brief survey about your prior knowledge of the languages we teach. Before starting the survey, ensure you know your student and net ID numbers. Again, if you have no prior experience, you may enroll in the beginning courses for that language. If you mark that you have no prior knowledge of a specific language, you can register for the first-semester course in that language. 

If you indicate that you have prior knowledge of any of the languages, you will receive an email with a link to the full placement test in Canvas for those languages. Complete the placement tests in Canvas for the languages you are interested in studying by July 15. The test, although not timed, can take approximately 30 minutes. Please do not start the test unless you intend to finish it. 

We encourage you to take the placement tests during the summer test period to receive your placement results before arriving on campus for O-Week. You cannot register for any language class you have previous knowledge of without the placement test result. Your placement result will be valid for four years, so take the test now, and you will not need to think about it again. 

Please get in touch with Kim Vera at CLICPlacement@rice.edu if you have any questions about the placement tests.
June 9 – Civic Immersion (In Person) Registration Deadline

We invite you to join the Center for Civic Leadership’s Moody Civic Immersion program!

Civic Immersion is a service-learning opportunity that aims to introduce incoming students to
the city of Houston and other members of the Rice community, including
upperclassmen, faculty/staff, and each other! This program is offered in two different
modalities, providing both an in-person and virtual track for students from diverse
backgrounds and geographical locations to meet and build community. Students
participating in person will live and learn as cohorts together in Houston for the week! There are
no registration fees to participate, and all housing, meals, and local transportation are provided..
Moody Civic Immersion is led by current Rice students eager to help new students learn from
community organizations, collaborate on projects to assist them, and engage in group
and individual reflections. Students will be able to connect with incoming peers, begin to
build community in their soon-to-be home, and learn about opportunities that will be
available to them through the CCL and beyond! More information and registration
applications are available on the Center for Civic Leadership’s Moody Civic Immersion
website https://ccl.rice.edu/ci.

For additional information and opportunities, follow CCL on Instagram! @cclriceu

Program Dates:
In-Person Session (in-person, Houston): Monday, July 14 - Saturday, July 19

Deadline
to register for this session is June 9th.

Questions may be directed to Kaylee Caudle (krc10@rice.edu) or Melia Brown
(mb237@rice.edu).

June 14 – Civic Immersion (Remote) Registration Deadline

We invite you to join the Center for Civic Leadership’s Moody Civic Immersion program!

Civic Immersion is a service-learning opportunity that aims to introduce incoming students to
the city of Houston and other members of the Rice community, including
upperclassmen, faculty/staff, and each other! This program is offered in two different
modalities, providing both in-person and virtual track for students from diverse
backgrounds and geographical locations to meet and build community. Students participating
virtually will be immersed in programs, virtual sessions, and activities intentionally designed
across time zones for the virtual cohort. Additionally, this cohort will engage in synchronous
workshops. There are no registration fees to participate.

Moody Civic Immersion is led by current Rice students eager to help new students learn from
community organizations, collaborate on projects to assist them, and engage in group
and individual reflections. Students will be able to connect with incoming peers, begin to
build community in their soon-to-be home, and learn about opportunities that will be
available to them through the CCL and beyond! More information and registration
applications are available on the Center for Civic Leadership’s Moody Civic Immersion
website https://ccl.rice.edu/ci.


For additional information and opportunities, follow CCL on Instagram! @cclriceu

Program Dates:
Remote Session (online/virtual option): Monday, July 21 - Saturday, July 26

Deadline to register for this session is July 14th

Questions may be directed to Kaylee Caudle (krc10@rice.edu) or Melia Brown
(mb237@rice.edu).

June 15 Due to Rice - Health Data Form

Please visit your medical provider’s office for your physical exam, vaccine updates, and tuberculosis screening.

ALL new undergraduate students are required to submit a properly completed Health Data Form (HDF) to Student Health. All students under the age of 22 years, regardless of classification, must provide documentation of vaccination against meningococcal disease.

The HDF form is now available and can be found here.


Please note:

College assignments are only given out to those with completed meningococcal vaccination information (vaccine or waiver). Don’t miss out on this exciting news this summer!

Course registration health holds are released when the entire form is complete.

June 25 – 30: FWIS Writing Assessment (Session Two)

All students must complete the FWIS Writing Assessment prior to matriculating.

Based on their results on the assessment, students may be placed into either FWIS 100 Introduction to Academic Writing or directly into FWIS 101-299 (various
topics). Students who do not complete the FWIS Writing Assessment will be placed automatically into FWIS 100. Students who are placed into FWIS 100 must successfully complete that course during their first semester prior to enrolling in the FWIS 101-299 course used to meet the graduation requirement. All new students (including freshmen, transfers, and international students) must take the FWIS Writing Assessment during one of the two times it is offered.

The FWIS Writing Assessment closes at 1:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-6) on the last day of each session. Visit the FWIS Writing Assessment Information site for more about the FWIS Writing Assessment. For questions, please contact fwiswritingassessment@rice.edu.

Assessment dates:

Session 1: May 28 – June 2

Session 2: June 25 – June 30

June 30 - Request to Withhold or Release Directory Information (Optional)

Students who would like Rice to withhold their directory information may do so by logging in to ESTHER, clicking Personal Information, clicking Release or Withhold Directory Information, and indicating that the information should be withheld.

Send questions to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@rice.edu or call 713-348-4999.

If you don't remember your Esther password or need to reset it, please contact the OIT Help Desk at helpdesk@rice.edu or call 713-348-4357.

July 2025

Please note that some deadlines or checklist items fall on the same date.


July 1 - eBills and Account Setup Available Online

Tuition and fees can be found in Esther, under Students > Account Summary > Payment Suite. From here, you can review monthly billing statements, set up Electronic Refunds, and establish authorized users with Payment Suite access. Additional details can be found here.

July 1 - Prepare for Possible On-Campus Employment

Students may be eligible for part-time employment at Rice through Federal Work Study or Rice Work. To be eligible, undergraduate must be enrolled at least six credit hours at Rice University as well as meet other program specific requirements.

Visit https://financialaid.rice.edu/types-aid/student-employment for more information.

July 1 - Open Enrollment Begins for Student Health Insurance

Every degree-seeking student is required to have health insurance coverage while enrolled at Rice University. Therefore, all students must take action during the open enrollment period to elect to enroll in the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan, OR complete a waiver by demonstrating comparable insurance coverage that meets Rice’s requirements. If no action is taken, you will be auto-enrolled at the end of Open Enrollment and active coverage will be delayed. Once enrolled, coverage cannot be cancel for any reason.


Please visit https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu to Enroll or Waive Coverage. All students must take action by August 31st. Please email studentinsurance@rice.edu with any questions.

July 1 - Registration for On-Campus Parking Opens

All students who want to have a permit to park on campus must register with the Parking Office. Please log onto Esther to submit this registration as early as July 1st each year. Remember to print out the Temporary Permit and display it on the vehicle’s dashboard until receiving the sticker permit. Permits will be mailed to the students’ Colleges starting on Thursday, August 15th, if not picked up at students' college mailbox. Until then the Parking Office will hold on to permits purchased and they can be picked up in the Parking Registration Office (Central Garage, Level B1, M-F, 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.). Permits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Parking spaces are limited, so it’s encouraged to register on July 1st or soon after. The deadline to register is August 29th. If a student brings a vehicle to campus, after that, Parking will do their best to still accommodate their parking request.

Send questions to the Parking Office at parking@rice.edu or call 713-348-7275.

July 6th - Change Maker Summit Application Deadline

Join the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) for the 7th Annual Change Maker Summit, Saturday, August 16th. Dive into the excitement of entrepreneurship and innovation in this one-day summit packed with workshops, design challenges focused on teaching you problem-solving and iterative design with a human-centered approach. Meet your impact-minded family: make new friends who share your excitement for solving problems and meet faculty and partners who want to support you throughout your Rice journey.


Website & Application URL: https://entrepreneurship.rice.edu/change-maker-summit

July 8 - College Assignment Notification

Your College Magisters will provide official notification of your College assignment. These notifications are sent via e-mail and cannot be provided over the phone. We ask that you please be patient as it may take some time for your assignment to reach you especially if you live out of state or internationally. Note: If you do not complete your Health Data Form (including the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination) by June 1st, you WILL NOT receive your College assignment. You can check the status of your VA-Vaccination Hold on Esther.

Questions concerning the Health Data Form should be directed to Health Services at hlsv@rice.edu or 713-348-4966. To complete the Health Data Form, visit health.rice.edu/new-students/health-data-form.

Any other questions concerning college assignments should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduates at ugdean@rice.edu or call 713-348-4997. Again, please do not call or email to find out your assignment.

July 15 - Due To Rice - Notification of Mental Health Concerns

The Wellbeing and Counseling Center is an excellent resource on campus for all Rice students. If you have mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, or any other condition for which you've been diagnosed or treated, you may fill out the Mental Health Notification Form and contact us at (713) 348-3311 to discuss options for continued care and connecting to resources on campus or in the Houston area. There are also many resources available for you, so we encourage you to visit the Resource Page on our website for more information.

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Wellbeing and Counseling Center at (713) 348-3311.

July 18 - O-Week Information & Roommate Assignments Notifications

This week, new students will receive formal notification of their roommate(s) assignment and more information about O-Week at Rice and your college.

O-Week Information & Roommate Assignments will be distributed via Rice email only, and we ask that you please be patient with your College personnel including O-Week Coordinators as we finalize these arrangements.

Note: If you do not submit proof that you have received the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination or provide documentation of an exemption, you WILL NOT receive your College O-Week book or roommate(s) assignment. You can check the status of your VA-Vaccination Hold on Esther. To complete the Health Data Form, visit health.rice.edu/new-students/health-data-form

Questions concerning the Health Data Form should be directed to Health Services at hlsv@rice.edu or 713-348-4966. Send questions to your College's O-Week Coordinators or O-Week Staff at oweek@rice.edu.

July 29 - Deadline to Register for Residence Hall Linens

First Year Programs has partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide students with affordable and accessible essentials for their room. Since other groups are on campus during the summer, you are not able to have your items shipped to Rice. First Year Programs may be able to make special accommodations for shipping if you are living abroad. Please contact Residence Hall Linens at 1-800-957-4338 for questions about your order.

Contact First Year Programs at oweek@rice.edu to discuss international shipping accommodations.

July 30 - Due to Rice - Housing Agreement

Please log onto Esther to submit this form. Note: If you do not complete your Health Data Form (including the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination), you WILL NOT receive your College assignment. You can check the status of your VA-Vaccination Hold on Esther.

Questions concerning the Health Data Form should be directed to Health Services at hlsv@rice.edu or 713-348-4966. Send questions to Housing and Dining at dm7@rice.edu or call 713-348-8048.

July 30 - Rice Student ID Card

New incoming Rice University students will be requested to electronically submit a photo for use on your Rice University Student ID Card. The photo must meet the following requirements: (The photo submitted should be passport-style and meet the requirements below. All photos are reviewed before approval. Please note that this is currently a manual process and approval time is necessary.)

  • Take the photo with a uniformed light-colored background
  • Have the camera at eye level
  • Illuminate the photo with light and avoid shadows
  • Photo must show your full face with eyes open and shoulders visible
  • If wearing eyeglasses, the eyes must be visible.
  • No hats, sunglasses, or anything to alter appearance.
  • Make sure the photo has the correct contrast and brightness
  • Submit the highest resolution photo possible with respect to the file size requirements
  • File size must not exceed 2 MB
  • File must be JPEG Format
  • Photo resolution must be a minimum of 640x480 pixels

This photo will be your permanent Rice ID card picture throughout your time at Rice (unless a replacement ID is needed). Please keep this in mind when selecting your photo.

Upload Photo Here

If your photo is approved, your Student ID Card will be prepared prior to your arrival on campus and distributed by an appointed contact in your respective College during O-Week. For graduate students, if you have uploaded your photo and it has been approved, please stop by the RUPD building to pick up your Student ID Card.

August 2025

Please note that some deadlines or checklist items fall on the same date.

August 1 - Open Enrollment Deadline - Student Health Insurance

All students must enroll or waive the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan by August 1st. Any student that does not take action to enroll in coverage or submit a waiver by the deadline, will be auto-enrolled in annual coverage and will be responsible for paying the full premium. Once you are enrolled, the plan cannot be cancelled for any reason.

Please note the automatic enrollment process does require additional processing time. You may have to pay out of pocket for medical services until your enrollment has been processed. Once processed, you will be able to file a claim for reimbursement. To avoid this inconvenience, please submit your enrollment application as early as possible. The coverage will not be prorated and the effective date will be retroactive to 08/01/25. Please visit https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu to take action or for more information regarding the student insurance plan.

August 1 - Due to Rice - Honor Code Confirmation Module

The Rice University Honor System provides the foundation for Rice’s academic expectations of students. It embodies the relationship of trust and commitment between students and faculty. In order to ensure that all students understand the Honor System, the Honor Council will provide online learning modules, as well as a mandatory online exam. These can be accessed through the Honor Council Info page on the Matriculating Class of 2025 Rice Canvas page, starting in early July.

August 1 - Download Navigate

Download Navigate: Navigate is Rice’s platform for students to set up appointments and stay in contact with student services offices (including the Office of Academic Advising) and faculty advisors. You can download the Navigate app on your mobile device or access on your web browser. Be sure to log in and get a feel for Navigate early!


From your mobile device, open your app store and search for “Navigate Student” – or if you're already on your mobile device, select a shortcut below.

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Once installed, open the app, search for “Rice University” and select. Sign in using your university username and password.

No app? No worries!

You can also use Navigate on the web. STUDENTS ONLY: click here to sign in with your university username and password.

Send questions to the Office of Academic Advising at aadv@rice.edu or call 713-348-4060.

August 7-Due to Rice-O-Week Minor Forms (students UNDER 18 ONLY)

If an incoming student will be less than 18 years of age as of the first Day of O-Week, August 14th, 2022 and perhaps into the school year, they are required to complete the Participation Agreement and Medical Consent Forms. These are for you and your parents to complete together. It is imperative that all of these forms (front and back) be completed and returned to us by Sunday, August 7th at 12 am.

Please make email to your documents as an attachment to O_Week_.b2vigd8fv8a1mtng@u.box.com and make sure your documents are saved under the following naming format:

Residential college_Last name_First name

Ex. Will Rice College_Doe_John

The forms will remain strictly confidential with the staff at your Residential College, Health Services, and Emergency Services and will be used only in case of an emergency. We like to think we will never need to use it, but above all else, we want to be prepared to help all of our students as completely as possible.

Any questions can be forwarded to First Year Programs at oweek@rice.edu.

August 7- Due to Rice- O-Week Forms (students 18 and over)

If an incoming student will be 18+ years of age as of the first Day of O-Week, August 14th, 2022, they are required to complete the Participation Agreement form only. You will receive an email from Adobe Sign, asking you to sign the form electronically. Please make sure the form is completed by Sunday, August 7th at 12 am.

The forms will remain strictly confidential with the staff at your Residential College, Health Services, and Emergency Services and will be used only in case of an emergency. We like to think we will never need to use it, but above all else, we want to be prepared to help all of our students as completely as possible.

Any questions can be forwarded to First Year Programs at oweek@rice.edu.

August 10 - Due to Rice - Athletics Interest Survey

You will receive an email to your Rice email in July with information about completing this survey. If you have any questions related to our athletic programs please contact Stacy Mosely at mosely@rice.edu. All other questions can be sent to oweek@rice.edu.

August 10 - Deadline to Register for Rice Bands

To join The MOB (Marching Owl Band) as a musician, show assistant, or script writer, please go to bands.rice.edu and fill out the form there. A current (student) member of the team or musical section will be in contact. There will be opportunities to join during O-Week, as well.

Please do not worry about having to audition. If you have a desire to entertain, or have an interest in writing for the field shows (comedy/satire), please submit the form and give it whirl. If you are interested in Rice Symphonic Band or Rice Jazz Band, please email Chuck Throckmorton, Director of Bands, at cthrock@rice.edu.

Contact the Rice Bands Program at 713-348-2346 if you have questions. http://bands.rice.edu/

August 14 - Due to Rice - Complete Your OwlNest Profile

OwlNest (OwlNest.rice.edu) is Rice’s student engagement platform, where you can discover organizations and events that match your interests, and track your activities outside of the classroom through a personalized involvement resume. With over 300 clubs across eleven different genres, is it easier than ever to find community on campus by exploring student clubs, departments and events through OwlNest!

How Can I Get Connected as a New Student?

  • Log into OwlNest with your NetID and password
  • Upload a profile picture and review your privacy settings before getting started
  • Watch our teaser video to learn how to access your event pass, look-up events on OwlNest and use the CORQ app to keep track of events
  • Navigate to the Organization page and explore student clubs you may want to join
  • You can send a message to the club or request to become a member directly through the club’s OwlNest page!
  • Navigate to the OwlNest Events page and RSVP to events you would like to attend
  • Follow @RiceOwlNest on Instagram to learn more about our amazing clubs!

If you are not sure where to begin, fill out an OwlNest Consultation Request Form to meet with one of our OwlNest Student Engagement Consultants or email owlnest@rice.edu. We also have a variety of training videos available to help you maximize your OwlNest experience.

If you don’t find a club that matches your interests, you can also create a new club by following the steps to complete club registration through the Student Activities Office. If you have questions about this process, please email clubregistration@rice.edu.

August 15-17, 2025 - Undergraduate International Orientation (Only for students on F-1 and J-1 visas)

Undergraduate International Orientation (UIO) is a mandatory orientation program from August 15 – 17, 2025 for students coming to Rice on F-1 and J-1 visas. The program will cover F-1 and J-1 visa regulations, the role of OISS, and how we can support you during your time at Rice. If you are on another visa type, or a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident living abroad and are looking for a connection with international students, please reach out to oiss@rice.edu so we can add you to our email list for OISS events. Please be on the lookout for more information: https://oiss.rice.edu/uio. If you have any questions please reach out to oiss@rice.edu.

August 16 - Due to Rice - Alcohol Education Module

In August, the Student Wellbeing Office at Rice will email you log in information for an Alcohol Education Module that provides awareness training, alcohol abuse prevention, and safe drinking tips for college students. We encourage you to think about what it means to make healthy choices, including those related to alcohol consumption. It is important that you complete this module honestly and completely for conversations during O-Week and throughout your time at Rice.

If you have any questions or concerns about your survey results, please contact the Student Wellbeing Office at wellbeing@rice.edu. We look forward to your arrival in August!

August 17 - 23 - O-Week 2025

All new students (freshmen, transfers, and international) must attend all of O-Week. Visit our O-Week Schedule section for a listing of events from previous O-Weeks. The schedule will be updated over the summer with information for O-Week 2023.

Note: If you do not complete your Health Data Form (including the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination), you WILL NOT be able to live on campus for O-Week or during the 10-day waiting period after the vaccination. You can check the status of your VA-Vaccination Hold on Esther. Questions concerning the Health Data Form should be directed to Health Services at hlsv@rice.edu or 713-348-4966. To complete the Health Data Form, visit health.rice.edu/new-students/health-data-form

Send questions to your O-Week Coordinators or to O-Week Staff at oweek@rice.edu.

August 20 - Deadline to Register for Parking

All students who want to have a permit to park on campus must register with the Parking Office. Please log onto Esther to submit this registration as early as July 1st each year. Remember to print out the Temporary Permit and display it on the vehicle’s dashboard until receiving the sticker permit. Permits will be mailed to the students’ Colleges starting on Thursday, August 11th. Until then the Parking Office will hold on to permits purchased and they can be picked up in the Parking Registration Office (Central Garage, Level B1, M-F, 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.). Permits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Parking spaces are limited, so it’s encouraged to register on July 1st or soon after.

Send questions to the Parking Office at parking@rice.edu or call 713-348-7275.

August 26 - Classes Begin

You will register for classes on the Friday of O-Week. Be sure to spend some time over the weekend before classes to find where the buildings and classrooms are located so you know where to go on the first day. Some students also use the first few days of classes to work out what their final schedule might be based on workload and more. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the necessary deadlines for adding and dropping classes which can be found on the Academic Calendars online.

September 2025

Please note that some deadlines or checklist items fall on the same date.

September 10 - Due to Rice - Fall 2025 Tuition and Fees Payment

Monthly billing statements are emailed to the student’s Rice email address and any authorized users who have been given access to the Payment Suite. To view your billing statement online:

  • Log into ESTHER.
  • Under Students, select Students - Account Summary and Financial Aid > Bill Payment Suite.
  • Click on the Payment Suite button located under Account Summary - Pay My Bill - Bill Payment Suite.
  • Navigate to My Account, then select Statements to view.

If you have any questions, please email the Bursar's Office at bursar@rice.edu.

September 15 - Save the Date for Owl Together 2025 - Families Weekend

Mark your calendars to join the Owl community on campus October 3rd - 4th for Rice Families Weekend!

Each fall, Rice invites parents and family members of current students to campus for a taste of life at the university. This is a perfect opportunity for you to spend time with your student, learn more about daily life at Rice, and get to know other Rice parents and family members.

Please visit the Families Weekend website for more information.