Rice University welcomes largest incoming undergraduate class in school history

HOUSTON – Rice University is welcoming its largest-ever incoming undergraduate class Sunday, as more than 1,350 freshmen arrive on campus for the start of O-Week, according to the university.

More than 50 transfer students are also expected to join the university this fall. Rice said it’s undergraduate enrollment has grown by about 25% since 2020.

The university reported receiving more than 38,000 first-year applications, a 5% increase from the previous year. Rice said approximately 8% of applicants were admitted and that the incoming class includes students from 46 states and 54 countries.

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Rice described Move-In Day as one of its most energetic campus traditions. Upperclassmen from the university’s residential colleges and members of the football team are expected to greet new students and help families move belongings into residence halls.

University President Reginald DesRoches and his wife, Paula Gilmer DesRoches, are among the campus leaders expected to welcome the incoming students.

O-Week continues through Aug. 21 with activities designed to introduce students to their residential colleges, classmates, campus traditions and university resources.

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