Fresh Faces, New Spaces
We gathered thoughts and impressions from new students as they experienced O-Week.
How do you say “welcome” to new students? On move-in day, Aug. 14, the answer was loudly, joyfully and helpfully as O-Week advisers and coordinators ushered arriving students into their college homes. “O-Week is forever for our new students,” said Lingkun Guo ’23, who worked with Savannah Parrot ’23 for 10 months to prepare for the intense week of activities. “We had almost 700 student leaders on campus for this week, across the 11 colleges,” added Parrot. The efforts of the O-Week staff were not lost on students. “All anyone tells you before you get here is you won’t get any sleep; it will be a lot of fun. But [O-Week] is preparing you for college life,” said freshman Imaje Harvey. Later that day, during an address to new undergraduates, President Reginald DesRoches added words of reassurance: “When you are met with challenges, and there will be many, do not be dismayed. … At Rice, you’re a part of a family that is invested in you and your future.”
Jadir DaSilva, Wiess College
Hometown: Houston, Texas
What’s your first impression of Rice?
Everybody just knows Rice. It’s like the school of Houston, even of the South. When I came here, I really got an understanding of it beyond just as a nice school. You see the campus, you see the trees that are beautiful, and you’re just like, wow, that’s an actually awesome campus. It was really inviting.
Celeste Uribe, Baker College
Hometown: Edinburg, Texas
Why Rice?
Rice feels like home. It is a small enough community to really be inclusive to everybody.
Alina Nguyen, Lovett College
Hometown: Wylie, Texas
In one or two words, describe how you are feeling today.
Initially, stressed and nervous, but then I got a really warm welcome from Lovetteers.
Xayvion Davidson, Will Rice College
Hometown: LaVergne, Tennesee
Did you bring something to remind you of home?
My mom made a photo album and added pictures of the family and someone really close to me. It lives on my desk.
Tarik Price, Jones College
Hometown: Gulfport, Mississippi
What are you looking forward to about living in a residential college?
The freedom, being on my own and learning how to take care of myself. And enjoying hanging out with other people my age and going through the same new experiences.
Sofi Babirenko, Martel College
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
What’s your first impression of Rice?
Overwhelming in a good way; so much to offer and so much to be grateful for.
Giulio Valfre Zaydenman, Sid Richardson College
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
What are you looking forward to about living in a residential college?
Meeting a lot of new people; the traditions seem really fun.
Amy-Patricia Amma Totoe, Brown College
Hometown: Abilene, Texas
Did you bring something to remind you of home?
Yes, I did. My brother gave me a picture of when we went to Turkey with our parents.
Kendrick Lounsbury, Hanszen College
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Did you bring something to remind you of home?
I brought a medallion that was given to me at graduation and has my indigenous name on the back of it — the name that was given to me when I came of age — and my PlayStation to play with my buddies back at home.
Swaha Roy, Duncan College
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Why Rice?
I chose Rice because of the ability to dive into STEM, while taking humanities courses, too.
Max Lai, McMurtry College
Hometown: Westmont, Illinois
In one or two words, describe how you are feeling today.
Welcomed. Every single adviser knew each of our names. That was a little weird at first, but seeing people address you by name and be happy to see us, it felt good.
Sonakshi Bhalla, Sid Richardson College
Hometown: San Diego, California
What are you looking forward to about living in a residential college?
Sid is the best college! I really like the building, everyone seems super nice, the traditions are fun. We have all these great events with my O-Week group, and all the advisors have been so nice and welcoming to all the freshmen.
Vamsi Makineni, Martel College
Hometown: Round Rock, Texas
Why Rice?
Great academics and all the resources. I might be a physics pre-med, but that might change — but even if I do change, the research opportunities are so fantastic.
Nikki Stancik, Duncan College
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
Did you bring something to remind you of home?
A tiny buffalo made out of Legos.
By The Numbers: Class of 2026
Rice welcomed its most selective class of freshmen and transfer students in history — an impressive and diverse group of Owls who are now calling Rice home.
31,442 applications
8.7% admit rate
1,236 new students
34 transfer students
53 countries and 46 states represented
(missing states are Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming)
165 international students
Top 5 Countries
China (58)
South Korea (10)
Canada (8)
Brazil (7)
India (6)
1,071 U.S. students
Top 5 States
Texas (448)
California (94)
Florida (57)
Illinois (36)
New York (35)