Frequently Asked Questions

Our application process is holistic, meaning that the Admissions Committee does not assign weights or percentages to the various application components. Rather, we evaluate metrics (GPA and standardized test scores) in conjunction with the more qualitative elements such as work experience, admissions interview and community involvement, to determine a candidate’s overall fit with the program.

Unfortunately, course work from other programs is not transferable.

Our programs are designed to be completed in two years, but we also offer an extended evening Professional MBA program that can be completed in three to five years.

We require either the GMAT or the GRE for our Full-Time MBA and the GMAT, GRE or the Executive Assessment for our Professional MBA program. Without either a GMAT or GRE score, your application will be considered incomplete. We require only the MCAT if you are applying to the joint MBA/MD program. MBA/MD applicants who wish to be considered for scholarship must submit a GMAT score.

Full-Time MBA and Professional MBA candidates may be eligible for a standardized test waiver. For more information, please complete the GMAT Waiver Request Form.

Executive MBA applicants may be eligible for a standardized test waiver. For more information, please complete a Resume Pre-Assessment.

Due to the sheer volume of applications we receive each year, we’re unable to provide feedback on each application.

We appreciate your interest in the Rice Executive MBA program. First, submit your resume for a pre-assessment here. Once we receive your resume we will give you feedback to help you figure out which MBA program is a good fit for you based on your experiences and background. Learn more about the program.

Below is a high level overview of what is generally needed for an application. You can follow this link to view our detailed application guide. 

1. Completed online application
2. Required essays
3. Professional resume
4. Unofficial copies of test scores
5. Letters of Recommendation
6. Unofficial copies of your transcripts
7. Application fee paid

We have a couple of ways to answer all your questions about the Rice MBA program. You can schedule a meeting with a member of the Recruiting and Admissions team, attend a recruiting event, visit a class or reach out to a student ambassador.

The same MBA degree is awarded in both programs, but the profile of the students in each program will differ. Our Professional MBA class has on average 7.2 years of work experience while our Executive MBA class has 15.4 years of work experience. Our Executive MBA students are experienced professionals already at the top of organizations. Our Professional MBA students are still striving for significant career growth.  You can submit your resume for a pre-assessment here to see which program is a better fit for you.

Yes, all of our students in our different MBA formats receive the same Rice MBA degree.

The top five industries for our Full-Time MBA students are finance, consulting, energy, technology and health care. Our students pursue many different types of roles within these industries and join industries outside of these five. We invite you to visit the Career Development Office to learn more. 

Below are the round deadlines to start our on-campus programs in the fall of 2021.

Round 1 - October 16, 2020
Round 2 - January 5, 2021
Round 3 - March 25, 2021 (Last round for the Full-Time MBA program)
Round 4 - June 2, 2021 (Only for Professional and Executive MBA)

June 30, 2020 (Only for MBA Deferred Enrollment program)

We are proud to waive the $200 application fee for:

• United States military personnel (active duty or veteran)
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA Prep Fellows
• Forté Foundation MBALaunch members
• Fulbright Scholars
• MD/MBA dual degree program applicants
• Rice University alumni
• Prospective students referred to us by alumni through the Build the Class program
• Prospective students who have met a recruiter at an MBA fair or event outside of Houston
• until Dec. 1, 2020 for MBA Deferred Enrollment program only

This designation not only recognizes the quantitative orientation of our programs, but also provides F-1 visa students the opportunity to apply for the STEM OPT extension. The extension allows international graduates, who may now hold U.S. jobs for only 12 months after graduation, to remain in the U.S. for an additional 24 months and receive training through work experience. All current and incoming Rice Business international students who are on an F-1 visa will be eligible to apply for the extension under this new designation.

Our electives generally fall under nine areas of study.

1. Accounting
2. Energy
3. Entrepreneurship
4. Finance
5. Health Care
6. Marketing
7. Operations Management
8. Real Estate
9. Strategy