MArch in Architecture (3+)

Submit a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes any information you think may be helpful to the admissions committee, such as projects undertaken, awards received, etc. Please explain your specific involvement if the item is not an individual achievement. Upload a PDF of your CV to the Admissions Document section of your online application.

One copy of the official, confidential transcript from every institution (undergraduate and graduate) that you have attended. These transcripts are an essential piece of your application. Send transcripts from all institutions where you earned (or will earn) a degree, studied for one year or more or took classes that relate to your current application for graduate study. Transcripts should be in confidential, signed-across-the-seal envelopes provided to you by the registrar of each institution. Personal copies of your records, or copies which have passed through your hands and are therefore not confidential, are not acceptable and will not be regarded as official. If your school will not provide you directly with a confidential copy of your transcript, then you must have them send an official copy directly to the School of Architecture. Be sure to have them send the transcripts to the attention of The Rice University School of Architecture. You may also wish to upload an unofficial copy, for information purposes only, in the online application; however, you must still provide an official, confidential transcript. You must also send certification of degrees received, including the date the degree was awarded. This information may be included on the final transcript.

Three reference letters are required for each applicant. The names and contact information (only) must be submitted through the online process initiated through your application. It is always preferable to have academic references representing your major field, although the university recognizes that there are situations where this may not be possible. In such circumstances, it is encouraged that you to seek out those persons who can comment on qualities that will be relevant to your academic goals and abilities. Requests for online letters of recommendation accompanied by an online reference form are sent to the applicant's recommenders once the application has been submitted. You should ask your references for permission in advance of including their names.

A digital portfolio of an applicant's creative work is required for all Rice Architecture applicants and must be uploaded to the online application. It must be uploaded in pdf format as a single document no larger than 15 MB. The file name must list the program, option, last name, first name, portfolio; each field separated by an underscore (“_”). File naming example: MArch_Option1_Smith_Jane_Portfolio.pdf For those applying to the Option 1 program, the design portfolio should contain examples of your creative work.

Provide a concise statement that describes your intentions and ambitions for pursuing a graduate degree in architecture. Why architecture? Why now? While other parts of the application provide us with an understanding of your qualifications, this is an opportunity to share specific research interests and future career goals; and to speculate on your potential contributions to the field. Finally, how do the programs and community at Rice School of Architecture align with and support these ambitions? Please limit your submission to one or two pages.