Graduate Program Application
Thank you for your interest in computer science graduate studies at Rice.
Resources
- Apply Now
- Questions about CS Graduate Admission
- Frequently asked questions
- Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- Email the Graduate admissions committee
- Learn more about the Online Master of Computer Science Program
- Learn more about the Online Master of Data Science and ML Program
Application Deadlines
Application Deadlines
All required application materials must be submitted online by the following deadlines in order for an application to be considered.
Spring 2027
October 1, 2026: Early application deadline for scholarship consideration for On-Campus MCS , Online MCS and Online MDS.
November 1, 2026: Final application deadline for On-Campus MCS, Online MCS and Online MDS.
Summer 2027
March 1, 2027: Application deadline for Online MCS and Online MDS.
Fall 2027
January 1, 2027: Ph.D. Program
February 10, 2027: Early application deadline for scholarship consideration for On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS .
May 1, 2027: International deadline for On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS; early application deadline for scholarship consideration for Online MCS and Online MDS .
June 15, 2027: Final application deadline for Online MCS and Online MDS.
July 1, 2027: Domestic application deadline for On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS.
Ph.D. applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis after January 1, with preference to those who submit by January 1, 2027. Applications for the On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS programs will also continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Notification Dates
Online MCS and MDS Programs
Decisions are released on a rolling basis for the three annual intakes. You can expect to hear about an admission decision within 2–4 weeks of your intake's final application deadline.
Spring 2027
December: MCS and MDS programs
Fall 2027
Mid-March: Ph.D. and MCS programs
Late March / Early April: MDS Program
MCS and MDS decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in early February.
Online Programs: Admission Information
For additional information on admission and application details for our online programs, please visit the following websites:
Application Fee
There is no application fee for the Ph.D. program. The application fee for the MCS and MDS programs, as well as the Online MCS and Online MDS programs is $85. The fee must be paid through the online application system using a major credit card. Application fee waivers are rarely granted. Applicants who believe that they may be eligible for a fee waiver should contact the graduate admission committee.
Required Documents and Test Scores
In addition to the application, the following documents and test scores are required to complete your application package. To avoid delays in processing your application materials, do not mail to the Computer Science Department duplicate copies of information that is available through the online application system.
|
Type |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Letters of Recommendation |
At least three letters of recommendation are required. The online application system will require you to submit letter writer names and email addresses. The system will then send to each of your letter writers an email message that includes a secure link to the online system, which will allow your letter writers to submit letters on your behalf. Visit the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Letters of Recommendation page for additional information. |
|
Official Transcripts |
Electronic copies of transcripts are required from each college or university that you have attended; use the online application system to submit all electronic transcripts. If you are offered admission to Rice, you will be required to have official copies of each transcript mailed directly to the department. |
|
GRE |
Applicants may optionally (but are not required to) submit scores for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general exam. The ETS school code for Rice is 6609. GRE subject test scores are not required. |
|
TOEFL / IELTS / DUOLINGO |
Applicants who are foreign nationals and those whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency. This can be shown by any of the following:
For ITP Plus and other details, please visit the Graduate Admissions language proficiency requirements page. |
|
Statement of Purpose |
pdf version |
|
CV/Resume |
pdf version - most current version is appreciated |
Contact Us
All correspondence regarding graduate applications, including questions related to the application process, should be directed to the department's graduate admission committee. Information and inquiries directed to individual faculty members will not be processed.
Graduate Admission Committee
Department of Computer Science
Rice University
P.O. Box 1892, MS-132
Houston, TX 77251-1892
Phone: +1 713 348-4834
Email: gradapp@rice.edu
For questions regarding the online MCS and online MDS programs, please visit the following websites: