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Frequently Asked Questions

The Rice University Precollege Program at a Glance

Eligibility — Students age 13+

Format — 100% Online

Schedule — Flexible & Asynchronous

Course Types — Enrichment

Certificate — Certificate of Completion 

Scholarship Availability — Need-based scholarships available


Program Overview

Yes, all courses are designed and taught by Rice University faculty, built specifically for high school students. They are non-credit-bearing enrichment courses. Rice faculty design the curriculum and deliver instruction via pre-recorded video. Students who complete a course receive an official Certificate of Completion from Rice University, suitable for inclusion on college applications and resumes.


Eligible students must be at least 13 years old, currently enrolled in high school (or a U.S.-high-school equivalent), or within one year of graduating (gap year). These courses are not intended for college students or adults. Students under 13 cannot be accepted.


The Rice University Precollege Program currently offers 10 online precollege courses across various subject areas:

Courses are available year-round. See precollege.rice.edu for current session dates.


Yes — all courses are 100% asynchronous, with no live sessions or required log-in times. You complete each course entirely on your own schedule between your session's start and end dates. You'll need approximately 30 total hours per course. Sessions run 1 week, 2 weeks, or 4 weeks — roughly 30 hrs/week, 15 hrs/week, or 7.5 hrs/week. Students from every time zone participate. Mentors most frequently interact during daytime hours in U.S. time zones (U.S. PT/MT/CT/ET), but we have students from all over the world studying with us.


Yes, after enrolling you can switch courses or session dates directly from your student profile up seven or more days before your session start date. Log in to your profile page, go to the Courses tab, and select a new course or date. 

If your session starts in less than 7 days, contact support@precollege.rice.edu and our team will assist you.


Yes, there's no limit to how many courses you can take, and many students take multiple courses to explore different fields. Rice offers courses across STEM, business, and law and government. If you enroll in more than one course, we recommend choosing different session dates to get the most out of each.


Yes, you can participate from any time zone. All course content is asynchronous, so there are no required log-in times or live sessions to schedule around. This makes the program accessible to students both within the U.S. and internationally.


Tuition is $1,795 per course, with no additional fees. 

We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, UnionPay, JCB, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.


We accept most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, UnionPay, JCB etc.), as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.


Yes, we offer need-based scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need and high potential. 

  • If you haven’t applied to the program, you can request a scholarship on the confirmation page after submitting your application.
  • If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.

Yes, students may include participation in the Rice University Precollege Program on college applications, resumes, activity lists, and academic portfolios. Participation in the program should be listed as “extracurricular” or “experiential” rather than "educational experience” since it’s for enrichment only. Including this activity on any college applications or resumes demonstrates intellectual curiosity, initiative, and engagement in advanced learning opportunities.


Applying to the Program

You can apply online through our application page. It’s only a few pages, and should take only 20-30 minutes to complete. You won’t be required to provide transcripts or letters of recommendation. Instead, we will ask you for some basic information and to submit one brief personal statement.


To apply for the Rice University Precollege Program, students must meet the following eligibility and application requirements:

  • Age Requirement: Students must be at least 13 years old to apply.
  • Basic Information: Standard contact and student background info.
  • Personal Statement: A brief essay explaining your interest in the program. Note: This is the most important part of your application.
  • Language Requirement: All application materials must be submitted in English. Applications submitted in other languages will not be reviewed.

Yes, international students that are 13 years or older and able to submit an application in English are welcome to apply to the Rice University Precollege Program. English proficiency exams are not required, but students should be prepared to study in English.


Yes, you can apply to one or multiple courses with one application. Applying to multiple courses does not affect your chances of being accepted into the program. If you are interested in more than one course, we strongly encourage you to choose different dates for each so that you have sufficient time to fully engage with and complete both.


You’ll receive a decision via email within 1 week of submitting your application. At peak times, or if we have questions about the information you provided, it may take a few additional days to review your application.


No, you do not need to re-apply. If you’ve already been accepted you can sign in to your profile and click the Cart icon at the top of the page to edit, remove, or add new programs to your cart.


No, returning precollege program students do not need to re-apply. If you've already completed a course in the program you can sign in to your profile and click the Cart icon at the top of the page to edit, remove, or add new programs to your cart.


Rice University Precollege Course Information

No, there are no live video sessions or Zoom calls. The Rice Precollege Program is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing you to learn on your own schedule through an asynchronous format.

How learning works:

  • Pre-recorded videos: Engage with interactive lessons taught by instructors via high-quality, pre-recorded video content.
  • Flexible assignments: Complete all coursework, projects, and activities on your schedule.
  • Expert mentorship: Receive personalized guidance and feedback from a mentor via the Canvas inbox, course discussion boards, and assignment reviews.

Each Rice University precollege course requires approximately 30 hours of total study time. Depending on the time of year, you can choose from three different pacing options—all of which feature the exact same content, sessions, and mentor support:

  • 1-Week Intensive Session: Requires a commitment of ~30 hours per week (best for fast-paced, dedicated study).
  • 2-Week Session: Requires a commitment of ~15 hours per week (best for a balanced, part-time schedule).
  • 4-Week Session: Requires a commitment of ~7.5 hours per week (best for maximum flexibility and a lighter weekly workload).

Schedule Flexibility & Course Access:

  • Self-Paced Learning: You have the flexibility to complete the coursework on your own schedule, provided all assignments are submitted before your specific session end date.
  • Extended View Access: Students will retain view-only access to all course materials for 1 month after the official course end date.

Most courses can be completed entirely on your computer, smartphone, or tablet without any extra supplies. However, some do require additional materials.

  • For the Physiology Course, these household objects are suggested: straws, rubber bands, balloons, plastic bags, silly putty, condiment squeeze bottles, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, hair bands, or scrunchies.

Note: Please check your specific course syllabus prior to the start date for any updated or added material lists.


You will receive an online course invitation at least two days prior to your course start date. Students who enroll at or near the deadline may receive credentials slightly later.

If your course starts in less than 48 hours and you have not received your invitation, please check your spam folder or contact student support at support@precollege.rice.edu.


No, Rice University precollege courses do not provide college credit. These online programs are designed for academic enrichment and exploration.

However, upon successful completion of the program, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion from Rice University. The certificate is a tangible achievement you are welcome to include on your college applications, resume, or LinkedIn profile.


No, participation in the precollege program will not afford you any preferential treatment in the Rice admissions process. However, it will add a university non-credit course to your college application, demonstrating that you are eager to explore complex subjects outside of your standard high school curriculum.


Yes, you will earn an official Rice University Certificate of Completion. To qualify for your certificate, you must meet the following academic requirements by the end of your program:

  • Assignments: Complete at least 70% of all course assignments.
  • Capstone Project: Successfully complete and submit your final capstone project.

For full details on grading and course policies, please review the Academic Requirements section in our Terms of Use.

(A sample version of the Rice University certificate is displayed below).

Sample Precollege Program certificate of completion


Yes, you are welcome to include your capstone project on future college and internship applications. Your capstone project serves as a tangible portfolio piece that showcases your skills.


Assignments & Grading

Assignments are assessed as Complete or Incomplete — there are no letter grades. "Complete" means your work satisfies the assignment requirements. "Incomplete" means it wasn't submitted or didn't address the assignment requirements.


Each course includes module assignments after each unit, plus one final capstone project. Module assignments are designed to reinforce and apply what you learned in that unit. The capstone project gives you a chance to explore a topic from the course in depth and to receive mentor feedback before you finalize it. The capstone can be included in future college or internship applications.




All assignments and your capstone project must be completed before your session end date. There are no individual assignment deadlines within the course — you manage your own schedule, as long as everything is submitted by the end of your chosen session.


About the Instructors & Mentors

Mentors are well-versed in your course subject and will work with you throughout the course experience. They will provide encouragement and direction on assignments, as well as the inspiration and confidence to be successful. In short, you won’t need to go it alone.


Your mentor will answer course-related questions, provide guidance and encouragement, and give feedback on your assignments and capstone project. Think of them as your go-to resource for staying on track and getting the most out of the program.


You will have the opportunity to connect with your mentor virtually during your course through the Canvas Inbox and discussion board. You can also expect to receive mentor feedback on course assignments and the capstone project.  Reach out to your mentor whenever you have any questions or need support regarding your course content.


Refund & Cancellation Policy

We know that your plans may change. Yes, you may cancel your enrollment without penalty and receive 100% of tuition/fees paid if we receive your request to cancel at least seven (7) calendar days prior to your start date.

All tuition/fees paid for a program become non-refundable six (6) days prior to your scheduled start date for that program. However, you may be able to switch your enrollment to another program or cohort.

If your plans change after your enrollment, reach out to us at support@precollege.rice.edu as soon as possible so that we can offer you the most flexibility.


Technical Requirements & Issues

A strong internet connection (WiFi or wired) is required as the course is online.

Our digital course platform, Canvas, is compatible with most browsers and devices. We recommend using a laptop or similar device, but you can also download the Canvas Student app on the App Store or Google Play to study on a mobile device.


Once you receive the course access email, you can:

  • Download the App: Download the Canvas Student app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can log in via your desktop browser using the link provided in your welcome email.
  • Find Your School: Open the app and type "Rice University Precollege Program" when prompted with "What’s your school’s name?"
  • Enter Credentials: Input your credentials to log in and view your dashboard.

Note: If your course starts in less than 48 hours and you have not received your access email, please check your spam folder or contact student support at support@precollege.rice.edu.


You will have view-only access to the online course for 1 month after your end-date. You must complete all of the assignments for your course by the end of your course session.


For School Counselors & Educators

We offer need-based scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need and high potential. 

  • If your student hasn't applied to the program, they can request a scholarship on the confirmation page after submitting their application.
  • If they have already applied to the program, they can sign in to their profile to check their scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, they can click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.

If you are a school counselor or educator looking to recommend the Rice University Precollege Program to a motivated high school student, you can do so through the following direct resources:

  • Application Link: Direct students to the official Rice University Precollege website where they can explore available courses, review application criteria, and submit their application.
  • Share the Counselor Flyer: Download and share our digital Rice Precollege Counselor Flyer via email, or print it out to display in your office or classroom.

Contact & Support

You can reach the Rice University Precollege Program support team directly by email at support@precollege.rice.edu for assistance with enrollment, technical issues, or general program questions. A member of our support team will review your inquiry and get back to you as soon as possible (typically within 24–48 business hours).

You can view our full terms of use here.