The decision to apply to graduate school is a big one - congratulations on taking the first step and doing your research into the programs you are interested in! A graduate degree will further your education and your experience. Depending on the degree program, you could be headed for a career in academia, industry or government!

Pursuing and earning a master's degree will prove your mastery of a specific subject and can help you further your career goals in as little as 1-2 years. Pursuing a Ph.D. demonstrates a level of expertise to the point you'll be generating new knowledge for the world, and will be the worldwide authority of a subject.

At Rice University, admissions are handled at the department level. Your admissions committee is comprised of faculty who will evaluate your application; when you begin to prepare your materials it's helpful to think of them as individuals who want to know you and what your goals are. Spend time on your statement of purpose; be thoughtful when reaching out to those who will write your letters of recommendation. Most importantly, think about what will make you happy and where you can be successful. The following pages in this section will help you prepare your application; additionally, we encourage you to read our Grad Student Blog here.