Rice University Precollege International Relations: Dynamics of Global Political Change

Everything is asynchronous, so you watch pre-recorded video lectures and complete the module assignments whenever it suits you, as long as all of it, capstone included, is in by your session's end date. There are no live sessions or Zoom calls. Your mentor answers questions and comments on your assignments and capstone through the Canvas inbox and discussion boards, and Rice says mentors are most active during daytime hours in US time zones, so replies may arrive overnight if you live elsewhere.

Session length changes the pace, not the content. Rice estimates about 15 hours a week on a two-week session and about 7.5 hours a week on a four-week one. Work is marked Complete or Incomplete rather than graded, and you keep view-only access to the materials for a month after your end date.

The course was designed by Mark Jones, a professor in Rice's Department of Political Science and faculty director of its Master of Global Affairs Program, whose research looks at how electoral laws and other political institutions affect governance, representation and voting. You meet him through the recorded lectures rather than in person.

Day-to-day support comes from a mentor. The two mentors Rice lists for this course, Luisa and Dylan, both hold political science bachelor's degrees from Rice, and Rice confirms its mentors are real people rather than AI.

You leave with a Certificate of Completion from Rice University and your finished capstone, but no college credit, grades or transcript. To earn the certificate you need a satisfactory evaluation on at least 70% of the assignments and every part of the capstone by your end date, and falling short doesn't bring a refund.

Rice says you can list the course on college applications, but as an extracurricular or experiential activity, not as educational experience, since it's enrichment only. It also states plainly that taking the course gives you no preferential treatment in Rice's own admissions.

You pay $1,795 for the course, and Rice says there are no additional fees, although your own computer and internet connection are on you. Payment is due the day before your session starts, but your place isn't confirmed until you pay, so Rice recommends paying as soon as you're accepted.

Cancel at least seven calendar days before the start and you get everything back. From six days out the fee is non-refundable, with no partial refunds, although Rice may let you move to another session or course if you pay any difference.

Need-based scholarships are available for students who show financial need and high potential, and you request one from the confirmation page after applying. Rice doesn't publish amounts. If you want a second Rice precollege course as well, enrolling in two at the same time costs $3,000 in total, but that price can't be combined with a scholarship.

Each session has its own deadline, one week before it starts, and applications go through Rice's application page.

1. 1

   Check that you qualify: you need to be at least 13 and in high school or an equivalent, or within a year of graduating. Rice says the courses aren't intended for college students or adults.

2. 2

   Fill in the online application, which Rice says takes 20 to 30 minutes and asks for contact details for you and a parent or guardian, with no transcripts or recommendation letters.

3. 3

   Write a brief personal statement in English on why you want to take this course, which Rice calls the most important part, and you can tell your story through writing, video, photos or another medium.

4. 4

   If you need financial help, click Apply for a need-based scholarship on the confirmation page after you submit.

5. 5

   Expect an email decision within about a week, then pay the $1,795 by the day before your session starts to secure your place.

6. 6

   Watch for your Canvas course invitation, which arrives at least two days before the start date.