The most accurate AI grader for Rice essays.
Kolly was built and calibrated on hundreds of thousands of essays from students who actually got into Rice University and the rest of the T20.
Rice essay prompts for 2025-26
Copy the prompt you are answering into the prompt field above, then paste your draft, so the readers grade the answer against the question it has to answer.
These are the most recent Rice prompts Kolly has verified, checked . Rice may have updated them since, so check Rice University admissions before you submit.
Academic Interests
Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected.
150 words max · Required
Community Contribution (Option A — Residential College / Identity)
The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?
500 words max · Required
The Box (Image Upload)
One of Rice's long-standing traditions is 'The Box,' a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants, including students using the QuestBridge application, to share an image of something that appeals to you.
Required
The Box (image)
The Box: in keeping with Rice's long-standing tradition (known as 'The Box'), please share an image of something that appeals to you.
Required
Community of Change Agents
Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?
500 words max · Required
Why Rice
Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?
150 words max · Required
All Rice supplemental essays, with word limits and the published source.
How Kolly grades a Rice essay
The grade covers the same six dimensions as every Kolly read: hook, theme, detail, authenticity, reflection, and writing, each scored from 0 to 5. The big number is a percentile that shows where your draft lands among accepted essays of the same type from top US schools. Rice readers, like their counterparts at peer schools, read fast and form an impression in the first paragraph. The verdict quotes the line that lands and names the weakest moment, so you know what to fix first.
Why Kolly instead of a ChatGPT read
ChatGPT and other general models grade against writing in general, which is not what Rice readers do. Kolly grades against essays that got in, and four readers argue over the draft before they vote, so a polished answer that says nothing specific gets called out instead of praised. The quick read is free without an account. A free Kolly account adds the full review: a stronger scoring model, notes on each paragraph, and a fix-it plan.
Grading your personal statement?
Use the main college essay grader for a Common App essay that goes to every school on your list. For acceptance rates, test scores, and cost, see Rice University admissions.