Life at Rice

We know you've worked hard to get to graduate school, and also know you want more than academic rigor. While your professors and adviser will help you to become an expert in your field, we want to make sure you have the cultural, professional and social experiences you need to have the best possible Rice experience. Below, we've compiled some resources to help you get the most out of your time on campus.

Graduate Student Association (GSA)

The Graduate Student Association's mission is to enrich the graduate student experience by advocating for the physical and psychological wellbeing of graduate students, promoting graduate career and professional development resources, and empowering graduate student-run social programming for the Rice community.

Finding Your Niche

There are many clubs and groups on campus that graduate students are encouraged to join. Have a special interest? Join a club! Many clubs are open to or run by graduate students. We're proud of our strong affinity and international student groups such as the Black Graduate Student Association, Queer Graduate Student Association, Rice Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Indian Students at Rice, Latin American Graduate Student Association, and Brazilian Student Association, and encourage interested students to reach out and join a community. Visit the clubs page for a full list.

Houston: The City With No Limits

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and one of the most diverse. Living in Houston means affordable housing options in excellent school districts and employment opportunities in numerous industries throughout the region. Our closest neighbor, the Texas Medical Center, is the largest in the world, and our dining scene is second-to-none. Got four minutes? Get a taste of what it's like to live in Houston here.

Health and Wellness

We take wellness seriously. If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to visit Student Health Services for preventative and outpatient clinical care. If you would like to talk to someone about your wellbeing or mental health concerns, the Wellbeing and Counseling Center is always available to meet with students. This office gives advice and practical support to help students resolve personal challenges, such as conflicts with friends, difficulty making decisions, struggling with your identity, and academic concerns or problems that are serious in nature.

Looking to stay active and healthy while on campus? A membership to the Rice Recreation Center might be just what you need! With weight and cardio rooms, basketball courts, an aquatic center, racquetball and squash courts, and free classes, there is something for everyone! There is also an Outdoor Adventure Center that arranges regional and national trips and rents equipment such as tents, kayaks, surfboards and camping essentials.