The Rice University Precollege Program
About The Program
The Rice University Precollege Program is a flexible, asynchronous academic enrichment experience designed by world-class Rice professors. Built for ambitious high school students ages 13 and older, this online program allows you to explore cutting-edge fields from anywhere in the world. By testing out potential college majors, you can get a head start without sacrificing your high school coursework or extracurricular activities.
13+
Open to students ages 13 and older
10
Courses across 3 academic areas
100%
Online and self-paced
Year-round
Available throughout the year
What Is the Rice University Precollege Program?
The Rice University Precollege Program helps high school students get ahead, explore specialized subjects and preview their future before stepping onto a college campus. These virtual experiences fit seamlessly around a busy schedule and are built entirely around independent discovery.
You can choose from three flexible cohort durations depending on your personal availability throughout the year: 1-Week, 2-Week, 4-Week Sessions.
Regardless of the course you choose, every session contains the exact same program content, instruction, and mentor support. Upon successfully completing all assignments and your Final Capstone Project, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion from Rice University—a meaningful milestone to highlight your driving curiosity to university admissions.
Is the Rice University Precollege Program Right for You?
These online courses are designed for high school students ages 13 and older who want to preview university subjects early. This 100% online, asynchronous experience is an ideal fit if you want to:
- Hear from top Rice professors and interact with complex college-level concepts while still in high school.
- Test out potential majors to clarify your long-term academic and career ambitions before making a final commitment.
- Showcase your personal drive, motivation and finished Capstone Project on upcoming college applications.
- Balance 20 to 30 hours of flexible instruction around heavy high school coursework, varsity sports or family commitments.
How does the Rice University Precollege Program work?
Flexible Learning
Every course is fully asynchronous which means you won't have to worry about required live meeting times or fixed logging windows. All core video lessons are designed by renowned Rice professors who bring their research insights straight to your digital screen. You're in charge over your learning schedule—watching dynamic lectures, finishing interactive modules and submitting assignments at your own pace from any time zone in the world.
Personal Industry Mentorship
Independent learning does not mean navigating your studies in isolation. Throughout your chosen cohort, you are paired with a dedicated industry mentor who provides structural guidance, answers clarifying questions and delivers personalized feedback on your work. You will also hear from working professionals who offer real-world context regarding how your academic theories apply to modern industry challenges.
The Final Capstone Project
Your learning journey culminates with a Capstone Project designed to showcase your new skills. Rather than sitting for a traditional exam, you will demonstrate your understanding by creating an independent presentation, case study or project layout in a creative format of your choosing. Upon completion, you will receive valuable constructive insights and an individualized evaluation from your assigned mentor.
What subjects can students study?
You can select a single course to target a specific interest or maximize your learning experience by exploring multiple subjects throughout the annual calendar.
STEM Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Course tuition is $1,795, with no additional fees. Need-based scholarships are available for students who qualify.
Yes. You’re encouraged to take multiple courses to explore different academic areas. The flexible, self-paced format makes it easy to take more than one course without conflicting with school, extracurriculars, or other commitments.
Successfully completing your course rewards you with an official Certificate of Completion from Rice University for each individual course you finish. Earning this Certificate of Completion and creating your final Capstone Project provides a valuable return on your investment by allowing you to:
- Strengthen College Applications: Showcase a finished Capstone Project to admissions committees as proof of your initiative and dedication to college learning.
- Build Your Resume: Gain a distinct academic milestone and project to highlight upcoming applications, internships and resumes.
- Clarify Your Major: Save time and future tuition dollars by discovering your academic passions before stepping onto a college campus.
Designed for ultimate flexibility, the Rice University Precollege Program features remote, asynchronous learning cohorts scheduled across the annual calendar. By contrast, traditional on-campus summer sessions require students to visit or live on campus during the summer months for a fully structured, location-dependent academic experience.
The program is open to students ages 13 and older. You can start as early as middle school or continue through your senior year of high school.
Yes. Need-based scholarships are available for students who demonstrate high potential and an inability to pay full tuition. You can apply for a scholarship during or after the application process.