FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• How many evaluations/recommendations must I obtain?
• From whom should I obtain evaluations/recommendations?
• Is the GRE subject test in Mathematics required for admission?
• Are foreign students required to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) to be considered for a fellowship?
• When is the application deadline?
• I've submitted my application, when will I know if I've been accepted?
• Will writing a professor or Chair of the department help increase my chances of being accepted?
• How much should I expect for tuition expenses?
• What kind of financial aid is available?
• Are tuition waivers available for individuals interested only in the Master's Program?
• Are any Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships available?
• What are the eligibility requirements for financial assistance and assistantships?
• What kind of housing is available?

Q: How many evaluations/recommendations must I obtain?
A: Ideally, the graduate committee would like each applicant to provide four completed evaluation forms each accompanied by a letter of recommendation. Oftentimes, evaluators do not write separate letters of recommendation, and our committee must consider your application with only the limited information provided on the evaluation form. The minimum number of evaluations required before the committee will consider your application is three. (If you are only contacting three individuals to evaluate you, please only list these three individuals in the Supplemental Data section of the application.)

Q: From whom should I obtain evaluations/recommendations?
A: All evaluations/recommendations should come from individuals (preferably, professors or research advisors) who are familiar with your work in mathematics or other scientific fields.

Q: Is the GRE subject test in Mathematics required for admission?
A: Although the admissions committee may consider any test scores submitted, GRE subject tests are NOT required.

Q: Are foreign students required to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) to be considered for a fellowship?
A: The TSE is not required for ANY reason.

Q: When is the application deadline?
A: The application deadline for the fall semester is February 1. While applications for the spring semester are accepted, financial resources for fellowships may not be available.

Q: I've submitted my application, when will I know if I've been accepted?
A: You will be notified as soon as a decision has been made -- usually late March or early April. Please refrain from contacting the department about the status of your application; this will only lengthen the selection process. If you would like confirmation that your application has been received, please send a self-addressed stamped postcard along with your application.

Q: Will writing a professor or Chair of the department help increase my chances of being accepted?
A: No. In fact, it will likely delay things. Every single inquiry that the professors or the Chair receive is forwarded to the Graduate Coordinator. While writing a faculty member may be beneficial to find out what they are doing, it will have no impact on any decision making process.

Q: How much should I expect for tuition expenses?
A: A breakdown of tuition costs can be found at Rice's Cashier's Office.

Q: What kind of financial aid is available?
A: Financial aid is offered to incoming students in the form of a graduate fellowship - available only to doctoral candidates. It covers the cost of tuition and includes a stipend for living expenses. If you feel there is additional need for financial help, contact the Financial Aid Office of Rice University. There are more options available through them.

Q: Are tuition waivers available for individuals interested only in the Master's Program?
A: Unfortunately, there is no money available for students pursuing a Masters. Tuition waivers are tied to stipend levels. Since MA's do not qualify for stipends, they are not qualified for tuition waivers.

Q: Are any Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships available?
A: Funded usually from grants and contracts, qualified students receive Research Assistantships (stipend and tuition) in their second and third years.

Incoming students are not allowed to become Teaching Assistants. TA's must undergo a training session provided by the dean's office prior to the semester they TA. However, for advanced students (students in their second or third year), a limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for financial assistance and assistantships?
A: Fellowship, scholarship, and assistantship are selected by the individual departments, subject to the approval of the Office of the Graduate Studies. Students should send their applications for such awards directly to the department involved.

To receive Rice fellowships, graduate tuition scholarships, or assistantship aid, students must be engaged in full-time graduate study; part-time students and students who are not enrolled are not eligible for such aid.

Students receiving stipends from fellowships or assistantships may not accept any regular paid employment on or off campus without the explicit permission of the department and the Office of Graduate Studies. Full-time students, whether receiving stipend support or not, may not accept paid employment in excess of 20 hours per week.

Q: What kind of housing is available?
A: The Rice Graduate Apartments houses many of the university's graduate students. The Graduate Apartments can be reached at (713) 348-1000. Morningside Square Apartments offers alternative housing for students with spouses/families. Their number is (713) 524-1275. Note: You must make your own arrangements for housing. The department does not handle any type of housing arrangements.