The Department of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research at Rice University offers a PhD program that concentrates on research, as well as an advanced professional degree program designed for students interested in a technical career path in industry or business:

• PhD in the field of Computational and Applied Mathematics
• Master of Computational and Applied Mathematics (MCAAM)

Once you have reviewed and met all the admissions requirements, you are ready to Begin Your Application to Rice University.

Before You Apply

Before beginning the application process, prospective graduate students should:

Requirements: Review Rice University’s admission requirements, found in the university catalog known as the General Announcements.

Faculty: Browse CMOR faculty bios to identify professors whose research areas mirror your own interests — this will help you to find an advisor to support you after your first year.

GRE: The pandemic has made it difficult for some students to take the GRE. CMOR graduate programs are not requiring the GRE for Fall 2024 admission, but will provide students with the option of submitting those scores. Admission into CMOR graduate programs is based on a holistic view of the applicant. In some cases, GRE scores provide useful information to complete this view and, when submitted, will be considered.

FAQs: Read through our Frequently Asked Questions about Graduate Admissions.

Deadlines

Admission depends on a students' academic records, available test scores and letters of reference from scholars under whom you have studied. To be considered for a CMOR graduate program, you must submit all materials online by the deadlines posted.

The admissions deadline for those applying for the fall semester:

PhD Program

December 15 — Late applications will be accepted until January 15. Candidates who miss the January 15 deadline place themselves in a less competitive position.

Rice will waive application fees for doctoral applicants who are graduates of institutions in Texas and bordering states Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico or who have a permanent address in these states, excluding programs in the Jones School of Business.

MCAAM Program

January 15 — Late applications will be accepted until February 28.

How to Apply

Review the "Directions and Information" section of the application before you begin your application.

Once the form is submitted with payment, no changes can be made. An application for graduate study should include the completed application form, application fees, transcript(s), and recommendations.

An application for graduate study must include all of the following:

• Application Fee
• Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• GRE Scores (optional)
• TOEFL Scores (if applicable)

Application Fee

The application fee of $85 is payable online using a major credit card. The fee must be paid before submitting an application.

Applicants who believe they may be eligible for a waiver should contact the department. Note: Fee waivers are granted only in rare cases.

Letters of Recommendation

Three to four letters of recommendation are required from individuals — preferably professors or research advisors — who are familiar with your work in computational and applied mathematics or other scientific fields.

The online application system will require you to submit letter writer names and email addresses. The system will then send an email to each of your letter writers with a secure link to the online system, allowing them to submit letters on your behalf.

Official Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded directly into the application system at the time the application is submitted. One official transcript from all universities/colleges attended should be sent directly to the department.

A transcript is considered official when it is enclosed in a sealed envelope with the official stamp or signature of the institution across the seal when received by our department.

Only one copy from each institution attended is required.

GRE Scores

GRE scores (not required for Fall 2024) should be sent electronically from the ETS (Institution Code 6609, Department Code 0702).

Tests should be taken by December before the fall semester for which you are applying. The subject mathematics test is not required.

Our department does not provide information on average or minimum GRE scores.

TOEFL Scores

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores with a minimum IBT score of 90.

Note: The TOEFL is not necessary for an international student who has received a degree from a university in which English is the official language of communication.

TOEFL scores should be sent electronically from the ETS (Institution Code 6609, Department Code 54).

Tests should be taken by the December before the fall semester for which you are applying.

Any ETS scores sent to Institution Code 6609 will be retrievable by any Rice University Department.

Things to Avoid

To prevent delaying the processing of your application:

• Do not mail duplicate materials to the department.
• Do not contact the department chair or faculty members to inquire about admission requirements or application procedures/status.

Notification of Application Status

The department will send you an email notification of the receipt of your application. You will be notified in the email if your application is missing an item or items. Only complete applications are reviewed and considered. We will contact the top candidates by email to make offers of admission in mid-March to mid-April. A final application status notification will be sent to all other applicants who are not made offers of admission by the end of April.

Visiting Post Baccalaureate Applicants

Visiting Post Baccalaureate (VPB) students are non-degree seeking students. Courses are taken for credit without the student being admitted to a degree program. Attending Rice University as a VPB student is not a means of entering a degree program.

VPB applicants should fill out an application through the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Department Addresses

Mailing Address

Graduate Program Coordinator
Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research- MS 134
Rice University
PO Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
USA

Physical Delivery Address

Department of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research
Rice University
6100 Main St. - MS 134
Houston, TX 77005-1827
USA
ATTN: Graduate Program Coordinator