Rice University postponed your entry to the Class of 2028. Don’t worry too much. It could have been worse: you might have been turned down completely during the toughest year ever for Rice’s Early Decision program (only 15.3% of Early Decision applicants were accepted for the Class of 2028, which is even lower than last year’s record-low of 16.5% for the Class of 2027).
And yes, Rice does reject Early Decision applicants. In simpler terms, they thought your application was good enough to be considered again during the Regular Decision phase, but not quite strong enough to get accepted outright. So, what are your chances of getting into Rice, and what can you do to improve them?
Rice University Early Decision Acceptance Rates
Here are the numbers for Rice University’s Early Decision applications over the last seven years:
| Rice Class Year | Number of Early Decision Applications | Number of Early Decision Acceptances | Early Decision Acceptance Rate |
| Class of 2028 | 2,886 | 442 | 15.32% |
| Class of 2027 | 2,953 | 486 | 16.5% |
| Class of 2026 | 2,275 | 511 | 22.5% |
| Class of 2025 | 2,635 | 478 | 18.14% |
| Class of 2024 | 2,042 | 440 | 21.55% |
| Class of 2023 | 2,628 | 408 | 15.53% |
| Class of 2022 | 1,916 | 371 | 19.36% |
Rice University Early Decision Deferral Rates
Rice University hasn’t shared how many students are delayed. We can’t find out because they don’t tell us how many students they reject. However, from what we’ve seen at Essay Embassy, Rice rejects a lot of students. This is different from many other top schools, which delay most of their applicants. So, being delayed by Rice is more important than being deferred by other top schools.
4 Steps to Take After Being Deferred by Rice
If you were put on hold by Rice University, here’s what we suggest you do:
1. Take a break and clear your head. Spend some time thinking before you plan your next steps. It’s important to approach this calmly, without feeling too stressed.
2. Get your application reviewed by experts. They’ll look over your entire application, including the Common Application, Rice supplement, and two extra supplements. This will help you understand what went well, what didn’t, and what you can do better for your other applications. Remember, you can’t change your Rice application now, but you can improve your other ones.
3. Write a convincing Letter of Continued Interest to Rice with EssayEmbassy’s help to write application letter. Send this letter a few days after being put on hold, not later in the year. Avoid bragging or giving updates. Our letters have a high success rate because they’re focused and effective.
4. In the New Year, ask your school counsellor to support you by making a call to Rice’s admissions committee on your behalf. This lets them advocate for you in the same way you did in your letter after being put on hold. Some counsellors might hesitate, but good counsellors will help you. It’s part of their job.
What Not to Do After Being Deferred by Rice
If you got turned down by Rice, here’s what you shouldn’t do:
1. Don’t ask the admissions office why you didn’t get in. They probably won’t give you a straight answer, and it might annoy them. Think about it: if they had good news, they’d tell you.
2. Don’t keep bothering the admissions office about why you got rejected. If you still don’t get why this is a bad idea, your chances might not be great.
3. Don’t send them gifts, especially weird ones. People do strange things sometimes!
4. Don’t have your parents call the admissions office for you. They don’t want to hear from your mom or dad.
5. Don’t keep bombarding Rice with messages after you’ve already sent a letter saying you’re still interested. It’ll just make you seem annoying and lessen the impact of your letter.
Rice Deferral FAQ
Does Rice accept, defer, and deny Early Decision candidates?
Yes, when you apply for Early Decision at Rice University, you can either get accepted, put on hold, or turned down.
Is a Rice deferral meaningful?
Rice University‘s website mentions that they only put applicants on hold if they plan to reconsider them for admission later on. Unlike some other selective universities like Georgetown, Rice doesn’t automatically put all Early applicants on hold.
They also mention that admission rates can change each year depending on how many people apply. So, if you get put on hold, it’s hard to know your chances of getting in later. However, they do accept a good number of students who were put on hold each year.
When does Rice typically revisit the applications of their deferred pool?
Rice University, just like other very picky colleges, focuses on students who were put on hold at the end of the regular admission process.
Final Thoughts
Rice University is a great choice for students who want a fantastic education along with a close-knit community, all in a lively setting. Although getting in is tough, our tips on how to apply to Rice can help your child stand out. Let Essay Embassy assist you in writing an admission essay for Rice University.
