rice university tour video

Visit Rice University

We hope everyone who visits Rice University has a pleasant experience. The following information will help you plan your visit.

• About Rice 
• Welcome Center

Campus Tours

Whether you walk the campus on your own to admire Rice’s unique architecture or come with a group and follow a student guide, a Rice campus tour is a memorable experience. For prospective visitors, several options are available:

• Elementary, middle schools and community groups
• High school students (individual and high school groups)

Prospective Undergraduates

Hands down, a campus visit is the best way to experience Rice for yourself, but did you know that this experience will also expand your own awareness of personal preferences and comfort requirements you have toward university life? Did you know there is no better way to demonstrate your interest in Rice than a visit to campus?

• Come learn more about a community where today’s prominent scholars and researchers educate and empower the students who will shape tomorrow’s global scene. 

Prospective Graduates

With a graduate population of approximately 2,800, Rice’s graduate programs are large enough to offer research topics in several important areas of study, but small enough to offer close personal contact between faculty and students. Our graduate students come to Rice from a wide variety of academic disciplines, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and approximately 80 countries.

• Learn more about Rice’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Plan Your Visit

Our 300-acre, tree-lined campus features more than 70 major buildings with architectural elements that are uniquely Rice. There’s plenty to see and do, so plan your visit to Rice today.

• Campus Maps
• Explore Houston
• Transportation
• Where to Stay

Things to Do on Campus

• Arts and Entertainment
• Dining at Rice
• Events calendar
• James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace
• Moody Center for the Arts
• Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum
• The Shepherd School of Music

Helpful Links

Virtual Campus Tour

Virtual 360° tour.

We invite you to join us at Rice on a virtual, 360° campus tour, narrated by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Seiichi Matsuda! We hope you enjoy this look around Rice University's campus.

This video was shot in collaboration with volunteers at the Digital Media Commons (DMC) at Fondren Library. We are grateful for the DMC's thoughtful work.

How to watch this video

On mobile? Open the video in YouTube and use your VR headset for an immersive Rice experience! Make sure you adjust the quality to at least 1080, and select the cardboard view to watch with your headset. (To see a video of these instructions, click here .)

On a desktop? Use your mouse or the on-screen directionals to look around!

Campus Tours

Choose a tour group below to reserve your campus tour:

Rice University Transfers: 2024 Requirements, Dates, GPAs & More

How effective are rice university virtual tours.

It depends how you use them. Rice University is a hustling, bustling campus and community. The beauty of Rice University virtual tours on CampusReel is that authentic video tours, made by real students, can be spectacular at capturing the Rice University vibe. We also go well beyond the confines of the Rice University campus by taking you around Houston. In traditional virtual tours, you will mostly see still, unengaging images and will not see the surrounding area at all – which is why CampusReel virtual tours are so important.

Can a Rice University virtual tour replace a traditional in-person visit?

If you cannot visit Rice University in person, then we can honestly say that we believe a CampusReel virtual tour of Rice University is absolutely the most effective and holistic way to understand the Rice University people, campus and community. However, if you do plan on visiting Rice University and other colleges in person, we strongly recommend that you at least prescreen your college options on CampusReel before spending the time and money to visit. Most prospective families find that as soon as the step on campus, they instantly know whether or not they like the school – but they’ve already spent all that time and money getting there! Our goal is to eliminate all the time and money visiting Rice University in person until you can make a strong educated guess that it’s worth the investment.

What places can I virtually tour at Rice University?

For your convenience, below is a list of Rice University places you can virtually tour on CampusReel.

• Duncan College at Rice University
• Martel College at Rice University
• Hanszen College at Rice University
• Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center at Rice University
• Matchbox Gallery at Rice University
• Rice Business (Jones Graduate School Of Business) at Rice University
• Founder's Court Lot at Rice University
• The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University
• Rice University Campus Store (Bookstore) at Rice University
• Duncan Hall at Rice University
• Rice Stadium at Rice University
• Abe and Annie Seibel Servery at Rice University
• Fondren Library at Rice University
• Rice University at Rice University
• Wiess College at Rice University
• Lovett Hall at Rice University
• James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace at Rice University
• Rice University Mechanical Engineering at Rice University
• Rice Memorial Center - Grand Hall at Rice University
• Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion at Rice University
• Ray Courtyard at Rice University
• Valhalla at Rice University
• Osaka Japanese Restaurant at Rice University
• Sewall Hall at Rice University
• Jones College at Rice University

What are the downsides of a Rice University virtual tour?

The downside of virtually touring Rice University on CampusReel is that, admittedly, our technology does not yet mimic the exact feeling and experience of visiting Rice University in person. We are working on this though! A common request we also receive from users is to add more perspectives (e.g. student guides) to the platform. Rest assured we are working on adding more CampusReel guides to the Rice University virtual tour. However, our selection of guides still far outweighs the available perspectives of traditional virtual tour platforms.

What are the benefits of a Rice University virtual tour?

The most obvious benefit of a Rice University virtual tour on CampusReel is that is can be accessed from anywhere. This can save families a lot of time and money compared to visiting Rice University in person . Another often overlooked benefit of a CampusReel virtual tour is that it goes far beyond a traditional in person tour Rice University . Campus visits are limited both in time and scope – how are you expected to truly understand a college in a 1 hour tour? That’s why we stress the added benefit of CampusReel virtual tours – experience Rice University and Houston during different seasons, days of the week, and even hours of the day. What’s game day like? What is finals week life? Again, traditional virtual touring platforms don’t include this benefit.

Check out these related virtual tours:

• Virtal tour to Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
• Virtal tour to New York University (NYU)
• Virtal tour to UCLA
• Virtal tour to University of Southern California (USC)
• Virtal tour to Boston University (BU)
• Virtal tour to University of Florida (UF)
• Virtal tour to The University of Texas at Austin (UT)
• Virtal tour to Harvard University
• Virtal tour to UC Berkeley

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• Life at Rice
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Student-Led Tours

Join us for a tour of Rice University! Learn more about our academics, traditions and community on this one-hour tour led by a current student. Tours are offered Monday and Friday at 9 a.m., Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.  Before coming to campus for your tour, we recommend that you attend a virtual information session to learn more about Rice and our offerings. You may sign up for either a  live  or  recorded  session, and while you're there be sure to check out our other  virtual opportunities . Can't make a student-led tour? With the help of our self-guided tour map and our virtual experience, come see Rice for yourself and interact with campus through informational videos. No pre-registration required – just come to the Office of Admission between 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 1 - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday to self-register and pick up a map. Visit our website for directions and parking information. In order to welcome visitors to campus, the following guidelines  are in place for our student-led tours, as we want to ensure the safety of all of our prospective students and their guests.

713-348-7423

[email protected]

M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

The Rice Welcome Center regrets that we are at capacity for elementary and middle school group tours for the 2024 spring semester, and so are unable to accommodate any new requests. We appreciate your interest in visiting the campus, and suggest you check back in August of 2024 to request tour dates for fall 2024 or spring 2025.

Campus Tours

Elementary, middle school and adult community groups.

Rice University is committed to community outreach and offers Campus tours for elementary, middle school and adult community groups. These tours are offered Monday through Friday by the Rice University Welcome Center.

Our 3rd-8th grade group tour program is focused on providing access to college-going resources to schools and community-based organizations that serve elementary and middle school age students. Our guided program includes a 1.5 hour tour.

If your group includes high school aged students, you need to register your tour with Admissions by clicking here.

Questions? Contact the Welcome Center at [email protected] .

Group Tour Guidelines

• Submission of the registration form does not guarantee your group a tour on the requested date(s). The tour date and time will not be reserved until a confirmation email has been sent to you by the Welcome Center team, these emails will come from [email protected].
• A minimum two (2) week notice is required for all group tours.
• Groups are encouraged to provide at least three (3) preferred dates for the tour to ensure that they can be accommodated. Tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served bases, based on the availability of tour guides.
• We can accommodate up to 60 students per group. Groups larger than 60 students are encouraged to consider the self-guided tour option or to schedule over multiple days.
• All tours are required to provide at least one (1) chaperone for every ten (10) students in attendance. Chaperones must remain with their group at all times including the walking tour of campus. Chaperones are responsible for addressing any behavior issues with their group while visiting Rice.
• Requesting institution(s) or chaperones assume all liability for their students while on Rice’s campus. Rice is not responsible for any lost or stolen goods, accidents or injuries. The school is required to complete the Campus Visit/Tour Release of Liability. This form must be submitted upon arrival to campus.
• Tour group organizers must provide at least 24-hour notice when canceling a tour. Tours that need to be rescheduled will typically have to take place the following semester.
• Groups traveling to campus should plan to arrive on campus 10—15 minutes prior to their scheduled tour time. Current students guide campus tours and are available only during the arranged tour time. Late arrival may result in a modified campus tour.
• Campus tours involve a significant amount of walking. All participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and shoes. We also recommend brining a water bottle. If the University is closed due to weather or a campus closure, all tours scheduled for that day are automatically canceled. We will notify groups of any weather closures.
• Groups wishing to purchase lunch/tickets to games must make their own arrangements. To arrange lunch, please contact [email protected]. To arrange for group tickets to sporting events, please contact [email protected]. Please note that purchasing tickets does not guarantee that we can accommodate the campus tour on the same day. Please make tour arrangements first.
• If any special requests or an accommodation for a disability is needed in order to participate in this program, the organizer should contact the Welcome Center at 713-348-6124 or at [email protected] at least one week prior to the tour to make arrangements.

James M Tour Group

Rice university.

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• Personal Statement
• Audio Files
• Evolution/Creation
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JAMES M. TOUR, Ph.D.

T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry Professor of Computer Science Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering Rice University Smalley-Curl Institute and the NanoCarbon Center

Rice Advanced Materials Institute

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.jmtour.com

YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/drjamestour

Professor Tour’s weekly Bible studies are also available in real-time via Zoom.  Login on Sundays at 10 AM Houston time (US Central Time):  https://riceuniversity.zoom.us/j/94537001300?pwd=TjBQNm5sd1oxZGQyNU5WWVVadWNBQT09 . Or you could see the weekly videos at the YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/drjamestour

Dr. Tour will initiate a private Zoom call with anyone who is not a believer in Jesus but would like to hear his story about how he became a man with faith in Jesus, the Son of God. If interested, send Dr. Tour an email to make the request.

If you are a believer in Jesus and you wish to meet regularly, one on one via Zoom, to read and discuss the Bible, Dr. Tour can arrange for that through a team of Bible college students wishing to serve in that way.  If interested, send Dr. Tour an email to make the request.

Dr. Tour’s Social Media Sites: www.drjamestour.com

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8479-9328

Google Scholar Page: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YwoecRMAAAAJ&hl=en

James M. Tour, a synthetic organic chemist, received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Syracuse University, his Ph.D. in synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry from Purdue University, and postdoctoral training in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University. After spending 11 years on the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, he joined the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University in 1999 where he is presently the T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Computer Science, and Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering. Tour’s scientific research areas include nanoelectronics, graphene electronics, silicon oxide electronics, carbon nanovectors for medical applications, green carbon research for enhanced oil recovery and environmentally friendly oil and gas extraction, graphene photovoltaics, carbon supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, CO2 capture, water splitting to H2 and O2, water purification, carbon nanotube and graphene synthetic modifications, graphene oxide, carbon composites, hydrogen storage on nanoengineered carbon scaffolds, and synthesis of single-molecule nanomachines which includes molecular motors and nanocars. He has also developed strategies for retarding chemical terrorist attacks. For pre-college education, Tour developed the NanoKids concept for K-12 education in nanoscale science, and also Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero science packages for elementary and middle school education: SciRave that later expanded to a Stemscopes-based SciRave . The SciRave program has risen to be the #1 most widely adopted program in Texas to complement science instruction, and it is currently used by over 450 school districts and 40,000 teachers with over 1 million student downloads.

Professor Tour has over 800 research publications, over 130 granted patents and over 100 pending patents. He has an  h -index = 174 with total citations about 140,000. In 2024, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. In 2021, he won the Oesper Award from the American Chemical Society which is awarded to “outstanding chemists for lifetime significant accomplishments in the field of chemistry with long-lasting impact on the chemical sciences.”  In 2020, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and in the same year was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Centenary Prize for innovations in materials chemistry with applications in medicine and nanotechnology.  Based on the impact of his published work, in 2019 Tour was ranked in the top 0.004% of the 7 million scientists who have published at least 5 papers in their careers. He was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors in 2015. Tour was named among “The 50 Most Influential Scientists in the World Today” by TheBestSchools.org in 2019; listed in “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” by Thomson Reuters ScienceWatch.com in 2014; and recipient of the Trotter Prize in “Information, Complexity and Inference” in 2014; and was the Lady Davis Visiting Professor, Hebrew University, June, 2014. Tour was named “Scientist of the Year” by R&D Magazine , 2013. He was awarded the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, 2012, Rice University; won the ACS Nano Lectureship Award from the American Chemical Society, 2012; was the Lady Davis Visiting Professor, Hebrew University, June, 2011 and was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2009. Tour was ranked one of the Top 10 chemists in the world over the past decade, by a Thomson Reuters citations per publication index survey, 2009; won the Distinguished Alumni Award, Purdue University, 2009 and the Houston Technology Center’s Nanotechnology Award in 2009. He won the Feynman Prize in Experimental Nanotechnology in 2008, the NASA Space Act Award in 2008 for his development of carbon nanotube reinforced elastomers and the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society for his achievements in organic chemistry in 2007. Tour was the recipient of the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching in 2007. He also won the Small Times magazine’s Innovator of the Year Award in 2006, the Nanotech Briefs Nano 50 Innovator Award in 2006, the Alan Berman Research Publication Award, Department of the Navy in 2006, the Southern Chemist of the Year Award from the American Chemical Society in 2005 and The Honda Innovation Award for Nanocars in 2005. Tour’s paper on Nanocars was the most highly accessed journal article of all American Chemical Society articles in 2005, and it was listed by LiveScience as the second most influential paper in all of science in 2005. Tour has won several other national awards including the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award in Polymer Chemistry and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award in Polymer Chemistry.

Professor Tour is the founder and principal of  NanoJtech Consultants, LLC , performing technology assessments for the prospective investor. Tour’s intellectual property has been the seed for the formation of several other companies including  Weebit (silicon oxide electronic memory), Dotz  (graphene quantum),  Zeta Energy (batteries), NeuroCords  (spinal cord repair),  Xerient (treatment of pancreas cancer), LIGC Application Ltd.  (laser-induced graphene),  Nanorobotics  (molecular nanomachines in medicine)  Universal Matter   Ltd.  (US) and  Universal Matter Inc.  (Canada) (flash graphene synthesis),  Roswell Biotechnologies  (molecular electronic DNA sequencing) and  Rust Patrol (corrosion inhibitors).

Professor Tour has served as a visiting scholar at Harvard University, on the Chemical Reviews Editorial Advisory Board, the Governor’s Mathematics and Science Advisory Board for South Carolina, the Defense Science Study Group through the Institute for Defense Analyses, the Defense Science Board Chem/Nano Study Section, the Department of Commerce Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee and the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center’s Competitive Grant Renewal Board. He has been active in consulting on several national defense-related topics, in addition to numerous other professional committees and panels.

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• Restoring Mobility After Severed Spinal Cord
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15 Things To Do on a Rice University Campus Visit

By Anvita W.

January 12, 2023

Considering applying to Rice University in the near future? Maybe it’s time to schedule a campus visit.

I’m currently a freshman at Rice, and just a short time ago, I was building my college list. Rice University quickly rose to the top. I was amazed by the residential college system and array of academic programs. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else, especially after my campus visit.

Here are the places on campus that I recommend you visit to get a feel for what student life is like at Rice.

Navigate Through This Article:

Scheduling your campus visit.

First, make sure to book an appointment ahead of time to sign up for a guided tour of the campus.

While self-guided tours are always an option, tours led by Rice students provide fun bits of information, including Rice insider lingo and hot spots on campus. The student guides are also the best source to answer any questions about the university.

15 Places To Check Out on a Rice University Campus Visit

1. lovett hall.

Lovett Hall, the main entrance of the university, represents the beginning and end of a student’s years at Rice. New students matriculate through Lovett Hall the first night of their orientation, called “O-week.” Don’t go in or out through the Sallyport until the day of graduation—it’s rumored that your graduation will be delayed you use this entrance before the last day as a student.

2. Rice Memorial Center, “RMC”

Located in the center of campus, the RMC is home to the Rice Student Center. It’s always bustling with students studying outside in the shade, fundraising for clubs, making late-night coffee runs, and buying merch at the campus store. The RMC is a must-see spot for those wishing to experience a bit of student culture at Rice.

3. Baker College Commons

Rice University has a residential college system where students are randomly placed into one of the eleven colleges. Placement takes place the summer before matriculation. For fellow Harry Potter nerds, Baker College, the first of the residential colleges, is dubbed the college that looks the most like the iconic Hogwarts Great Hall.

As a proud resident of Baker College myself, the wooden interior and traditional banners hanging from the tall walls of the Commons provide the perfect space to study, play a round of ping pong, or dine with my fellow Bakerites.

4. Turrell Skyspace

Built by the famous American architect, James Turrell, the Skyspace sits behind the RMC and in front of Brockman Hall for Opera, which is also a great place to check out. Visit Skyspace during sunrise or sunset to see the special light show.

5. Fondren Library

Rice’s main library, dubbed “Fondy” by students, is one of the main hubs for studying on campus. Open until the late hours of the night, students can always find a quiet space to study or librarians for help. As you go up each of the six floors, the volume of the floor decreases: the sixth is nearly pin-drop silent for students who prefer that environment to study.

6. Rice Coffeehouse, “Chaus”

Chaus is the student-run coffee shop on campus. This staple caters to students until midnight every day. Offering affordable and delicious drinks, Chaus is a great spot for students to study with friends or grab a snack on the way to class.

7. The Hoot

Only open after 8pm, the Hoot is a student-run organization in the RMC that sells food for late night studying and snacking. Selling Raising Cane’s, fresh Banh-mis, and a selection of snacks, the Hoot is always teeming with students enjoying a late dinner or study break.

8. Brockstein Pavilion

Between Fondren and the RMC, Brockstein Pavilion is the second of four coffee shops on campus. One of the many study spots on campus, Brockstein’s chic and modern look is a fun spot to enjoy a drink or grab lunch on your visit to Rice.

9. McNair Hall

McNair Hall is one of the newer buildings on campus and home to Rice’s renowned Jones School of Business. To the right of a beautiful fountain in front of Skyspace, McNair is one of the most recognizable buildings on campus. It’s a lively place—busy with graduate students, fun study spots, and the campus’ third coffeehouse, Audrey’s. With many outdoor spaces surrounding the building, McNair Hall is a guaranteed student favorite.

Just Off Campus

10. rice village.

Just a short walk or campus shuttle from campus, Rice Village is the closest shopping and restaurant district for students and one of my favorite spots to visit on the weekends. Student favorites include Insomnia Cookies, Tiger Noodle House, and Dave’s Hot Chicken.

11. Houston Medical Center

Houston’s Medical Center is the largest in the world and definitely worth checking out. It’s also a short walk from campus. The hospital provides numerous opportunities for internships and research, restaurants, and convenient places to stay off campus.

12. Herman Park

Located in the museum district just across from campus, Herman Park is a great place to relax and take a walk or jog. The park has several places to visit like the Japanese Garden and Houston Zoo, and it also has recreational activities like pedal boats and golf courses.

13. NASA Space Center

Have you ever heard someone say, “Houston, we have a problem”? This popular phrase was coined during the Apollo 13 mission, which was based out of Houston along with all its sister missions. Today, Houston is home to the NASA Space Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate museum that houses many iconic artifacts from the Space Age. If you are a stargazer like me, I highly recommend that you book tickets and visit this internationally famous space center while in Houston. Experience interactive exhibits and theatres to learn about NASA’s programs.

14. Bodegas Taco Shop

A popular joint for students, especially over the weekends, Bodegas is a must-visit restaurant for authentic Tex-Mex food and drinks. This locally-owned restaurant is located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, so it’s a great place to grab lunch while you’re out sight-seeing.

15. Museum of Fine Arts, “MFA”

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is one of the largest art museums in the country and a great place to see historic art and interactive exhibits or to capture Instagram-worthy pictures.

After visiting the campus, it’s time to decide whether or not to add Rice to your college list! Keep in mind that Rice is a competitive college, so it’s best to get a head start on preparing your college application. At KD College Prep, we offer Apply Now! Boot Camps every summer and fall to help students build their best college applications. Contact us to learn more.

Anvita is a former KD student and marketing assistant at KD College Prep. She is currently a freshman at Rice University.

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“It’s hard to believe we are finally done at KD Prep with our three children. We are incredibly grateful to you for all of your support over the years, which undoubtedly helped each of our children realize their college dreams. All three were accepted to colleges with single digit admission rates. Our eldest was selected as a National Merit® Finalist and was able to apply to colleges with a perfect SAT® score. Our other two were both named National African American Recognition Scholars and National Merit Commended Scholar. One of them applied to college in 2020 with an SAT score of 1520 (780 math and 740 verbal) and the youngest scored 1500 on the October 2021 SAT test (720 verbal and 780 math). Our... Read more...

“It’s hard to believe we are finally done at KD Prep with our three children. We are incredibly grateful to you for all of your support over the years, which undoubtedly helped each of our children realize their college dreams. All... Read more...

Nike A. – Parent of 3 KD Students

“Obviously SAT® test prep was NOT fun. The experience was difficult and exhausting, but learning through KD definitely made the experience much less stressful and definitely easier. It's a great system with tons of resources all aimed to give you what you need and more to reach whatever score range you set as your goal (I was able to get a 1540). My favorite part though, specifically with the Coppell campus, was the people! Everyone was so incredibly nice and always in impossibly good moods. It was a great environment to learn and improve in!”

“Obviously SAT® test prep was NOT fun. The experience was difficult and exhausting, but learning through KD definitely made the experience much less stressful and definitely easier. It's a great system with tons of resources all aimed to give you what... Read more...

Alex N. – Class of 2023

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping me get the score I needed to receive over $464,000 in scholarships, including two full rides. I started the program the summer going into my junior year. I had an excellent GPA but struggled on standardized tests. Taking the test prep classes throughout junior year and taking practice tests got me more prepared each time I took the test. I achieved my best score the summer going into my senior year. That score allowed me to apply to my top schools as soon as early decision opened. I am so grateful to Karen Dillard and the extra practice and proctored exams! My parents are grateful too—for the small investment they got a great return.”

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping me get the score I needed to receive over $464,000 in scholarships, including two full rides. I started the program the summer going into my junior year. I had an excellent GPA... Read more...

Saadia P. – Class of 2022

“I really enjoyed KD because the teachers helped me look at the SAT® test in a whole new angle. I really began analyzing the test and learned how to work math and reading problems in a smarter way, which was really helpful. I also really appreciated all the varied practice and detailed breakdowns from instructors, helping me see not just what answer was correct but why those answers were correct.”

“I really enjoyed KD because the teachers helped me look at the SAT® test in a whole new angle. I really began analyzing the test and learned how to work math and reading problems in a smarter way, which was really... Read more...

Pranathi P. – Class of 2022

“KD had a very streamlined process of learning the ins and outs of the reading and grammar part of the SAT® test as well as a very well-structured mathematics process that went through the subjects of algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus in depth. Another great part of the KD experience was the wonderful staff giving me so many useful tips and strategies for the areas that I was specifically struggling with. The staff understands students have different strengths and weaknesses, and the fact that they tailor the info they give to each student is very useful. Overall, KD has helped me not only with SAT preparation but also with my normal school work.”

“KD had a very streamlined process of learning the ins and outs of the reading and grammar part of the SAT® test as well as a very well-structured mathematics process that went through the subjects of algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus in... Read more...

Armaan C. – Class of 2023

“I am very grateful that KD was able to offer so many resources and guides for the SAT® and PSAT tests. They really helped me get a good grasp on the types of questions that the SAT exam tested on, and I was able to get a really good score the first time I took it! Once again, thank you KD, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to earn a high SAT score.”

“I am very grateful that KD was able to offer so many resources and guides for the SAT® and PSAT tests. They really helped me get a good grasp on the types of questions that the SAT exam tested on, and... Read more...

Sri Vamsi Krishna Putti – Class of 2023, Frisco ISD

“My husband and I are so impressed with your course and the quality of guidance that you provide. It feels like you really want our son to succeed. Thank you!”

Debra H. – Son, Class of 2023

“KD taught me so many useful strategies for the SAT® & PSAT/NMSQT® tests. They helped me improve my SAT score by over 400 points, and I got done with the SAT test at the beginning of 11th grade! I would recommend KD to anyone who wants a highly competitive SAT score. ”

“KD taught me so many useful strategies for the SAT® & PSAT/NMSQT® tests. They helped me improve my SAT score by over 400 points, and I got done with the SAT test... Read more...

Praneel S. – Class of 2023

“My time and experiences at KD College Prep have efficiently guided and prepared me for my future educational career as a college student. Not only did KD help me with college entrance exams but also provided numerous informational seminars that helped me with the various steps required for college admissions. At KD I enjoyed learning from amazing teachers, who cared for each of their students individually and were ready to help wherever it was needed. Being a student at KD has also helped me figure out which learning techniques work best for me. The opportunity to engage in different learning methods such as small group interactive learning, larger group discussions, or individual practice are all ways that helped me come up with a learning... Read more...

“My time and experiences at KD College Prep have efficiently guided and prepared me for my future educational career as a college student. Not only did KD help me with college entrance exams but also provided numerous informational seminars that helped... Read more...

Tanisha P. – Class of 2020

“ My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into helping me write the best essay possible, especially reviewing my essays twice to polish them completely. In addition, I have noticed that writing my resume has released a lot of stress off my shoulder when it comes to making sure I have all the things necessary to apply to schools. ”

“ My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into... Read more...

Claudia A. – Class of 2020

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of learning easier. I think that after you started going to a good amount of classes and the workshops, you knew every teacher, and they were always available to answer any questions that you had...Everyone was just so welcoming and made learning more engaging for the students, especially with the workshops. All of had their own unique style of teaching which never made a class boring.”

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of... Read more...

Rishab P. – Class of 2021

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or above... So many people told me it would be impossible to reach my desired score. After months of using KD's methods my scores definitely improved but hovered around 1350—still not near the score I needed but closer. After finally working with both of you during one on ones, my scores started to see heavy improvement and while I didn't get a score of 1520 or above as a single score, I got it as a  superscore ... Read more...

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or... Read more...

David P. – Class of 2022

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in awe at the consistent level of professionalism yet genuine concern for each and every person that walks through their doors. Thank you KD staff for being great mentors for our children!”

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in... Read more...

Gloria D. – Daughter, Class of 2021

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT ® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I have finished college applications, and I would love to thank all the teachers and aides at KD for giving me the score that I got on the test. Without the extra practice, I wouldn't have been able to get through to the score I got. These past 3 years went by so fast, and it is so fun to look back at where I started and how much I have come out with flying colors. Thank you so much!”

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT ® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I... Read more...

Kareena A. – Class of 2021

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT ® , and ACT ® tests. The resources were very helpful, and the individualized assistance I received from teachers were what really supported my learning. Special thanks to Ms. Barwick and Mr. Hoffman!”

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT ® , and ACT ® tests. The resources were... Read more...

Advika R. – Class of 2022

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in class. In conjunction, those two things helped me raise my score a lot because I was not a math kid before KD or high school. The repetition and being able to practice in a non-stressful environment and simulating that testing experience is something that was very beneficial for me... “The college counseling team was super patient and honest about the work I was submitting. I know for a lot of kids, it’s hard to articulate who you are through 250-300 words. It was definitely... Read more...

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

Blaine W. – Class of 2021

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a rising junior at the University of Miami, and my youngest son is an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University. Steve’s help in navigating the complicated college landscape and finding the BEST FIT for my two sons is what has made this resource invaluable. “What made the biggest difference for my two sons was the depth and breadth of knowledge Steve has of the many universities and colleges in the U.S. First, by getting to know my kids on a one-on-one basis, he was able to... Read more...

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a... Read more...

Julio M. – Parent

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the summer. She liked being challenged academically, and she loved taking classes with high school students who were focused on their college goals. These students were also excellent role models! The lessons were especially important during the pandemic when it wasn’t a typical middle school experience.”

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the... Read more...

Beth L. – Advanced Start™ Parent

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT ® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got a 1530 on the December 5th SAT test. KD played a huge role in this, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone there for helping me achieve this.”

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT ® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got... Read more...

Vyom S. – Class of 2022

"Our twin 16-year-old boys used KD College Prep to study/practice for the PSAT test, and we believe the classes and coaching were invaluable. Very professional and concise. Worth every penny!"

Jerry – Sons, Class of 2022

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT, SAT ® , and ACT ® tests (1520, 1580, and 34). I really appreciate everyone's willingness to be flexible and accommodate my requests!”

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT,... Read more...

Mithra A. – Class of 2022

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT ® test (third time) and a 35 on my ACT® test (first time). I remember the first ever practice test I took for the SAT test was a 1230 (about 1.5 yrs ago) and the first ever practice test I took for the ACT test was a 31 or 32 (about 6 months ago)."

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT ® test... Read more...

Elise P. – Class of 2022

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT ® and ACT ® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents very informative and helpful during the process as well.  My son (Jacob) graduated in 2018 and got a 32 on the ACT test. got accepted into Texas A&M but chose Baylor for Health Sciences.  My daughter (Morgan) graduated in 2020 and got a 1450 on the SAT test and a 32 on the ACT test. got into an Ivy League school (Cornell) for Engineering.  Both my kids say that they apply the test taking skills they learned at KD Prep to... Read more...

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT ® and ACT ® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents... Read more...

Jon D. – Parent

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard and other schools, but I've really started to immerse into the Emory culture, especially their debate team. Not having to pay for college and still attend a private institution is really a dream come true, and it wouldn't be possible if it were not for you.”

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard... Read more...

Shreyas R. – Class of 2020

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a good school will help me find my path. Also, Steve's knowledge about what colleges were wanting to see in potential admissions candidates was a huge help... “There was not one specific beneficial moment or turning point in my time working with Steve, there were many. He encouraged me during the entire application process and brought to my attention many colleges I wouldn't have considered or heard about without his help.”

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

Jake W. – Class of 2020

"I'm very happy my daughter chose KD as her learning partner to achieve her goals. All the experiences with KD and the Directors there are fabulous. My daughter has improved significantly."

Zarni, Daughter – Class of 2021

"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT ® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit ® Finalist."

Claire I. – Class of 2020

"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT ® /ACT ® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."

Gopi C. – Class of 2021

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made sure that I would be successful in whichever college I picked, and I am eternally grateful for all their help and hard work!"

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made... Read more...

Omar S. – Class of 2020

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by far the most concerned about. I didn’t know how exactly I should go about choosing which places to apply to and if I were to be accepted, if they would fit me. The team did a wonderful job considering my likes and dislikes and helped me compile a list of colleges that suited my tastes and would further my academic career. "After this integral first step, my focus turned towards time management and writing quality essays that would stand out to colleges. I got... Read more...

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020

"I was thankful for all the help I received from KD in preparing for my SAT ® and ACT ® exams. The workshops they offered, as well as the practice exams, gave me the tools I needed to do my very best."

Morgan D. – Class of 2020

"KDCP is a must for students wanting to stay a step ahead of the game for getting into college. My son has gained huge insight from the ACT ® /SAT ® practice workshops, practice tests, and essay class."

Tiffany – Son, Class of 2021

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students wanting an edge on their national test scores!"

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students... Read more...

Daniel J. – Class of 2020

"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."

Sam H. – Class of 2020

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the help from amazing teachers and staff. I am so grateful for KD!"

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the... Read more...

Matt K. – Class of 2020

"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit ® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT ® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."

Thomas D. – Class of 2019

"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."

Piper F. – Class of 2020

"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."

Kathy – Son attends Mizzou

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure out a personal plan that would work for her and were always available for our questions and helping her reach her goals. Every employee from the managers to the students working at their locations are top notch.”

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure... Read more...

Tracy – Daughter, Class of 2020

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

Prema – Daughter attends Rice

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T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry Professor of Materials Science & NanoEngineering

Department of Chemistry

O'Connor Building for Engineering and Science 211A | 713-348-6246 | [email protected]

WEBSITE(S) | Tour Group Rice | Google Scholar Citations

Research Summary

Tour’s scientific research areas include nanoelectronics, graphene electronics, silicon oxide electronics, carbon nanovectors for medical applications, green carbon research for enhanced oil recovery and environmentally friendly oil and gas extraction, graphene photovoltaics, carbon supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, lithium metal batteries, CO2 capture, water splitting to H2 and O2, water purification, carbon nanotube and graphene synthetic modifications, graphene oxide, carbon composites, hydrogen storage on nanoengineered carbon scaffolds, and synthesis of single-molecule nanomachines which includes molecular motors and nanocars and nanomachines that can drill through cell membranes. He has also developed strategies for retarding chemical terrorist attacks. For pre-college education, Tour developed the NanoKids concept for K-12 education in nanoscale science, and also Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero science packages for elementary and middle school education: SciRave ( www.scirave.org ) which later expanded to a Stemscopes-based SciRave. The SciRave program has risen to be the #1 most widely adopted program in Texas to complement science instruction, and it is currently used by over 450 school districts and 40,000 teachers with over 1 million student downloads.

James M. Tour, a synthetic organic chemist, received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Syracuse University, his Ph.D. in synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry from Purdue University, and postdoctoral training in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University. After spending 11 years on the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, he joined the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University in 1999 where he is presently the T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Computer Science, and Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering. Tour has about 650 research publications and over 200 patents, with an H-index = 129 and i10 index = 538 with total citations over 77,000 (Google Scholar). He was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors in 2015. Tour was named among “The 50 Most Influential Scientists in the World Today” by TheBestSchools.org in 2014; listed in “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” by Thomson Reuters ScienceWatch.com in 2014; recipient of the Trotter Prize in “Information, Complexity and Inference” in 2014; and was the Lady Davis Visiting Professor, Hebrew University, June, 2014. Tour was named “Scientist of the Year” by R&D Magazine, 2013. He was awarded the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, 2012, Rice University; won the ACS Nano Lectureship Award from the American Chemical Society, 2012; was the Lady Davis Visiting Professor, Hebrew University, June, 2011; and was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2009. Tour was ranked one of the Top 10 chemists in the world over the past decade, by a Thomson Reuters citations per publication index survey, 2009; won the Distinguished Alumni Award, Purdue University, 2009; and the Houston Technology Center’s Nanotechnology Award in 2009. He won the Feynman Prize in Experimental Nanotechnology in 2008, the NASA Space Act Award in 2008 for his development of carbon nanotube reinforced elastomers, and the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society for his achievements in organic chemistry in 2007. Tour was the recipient of the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching in 2007. He also won the Small Times magazine’s Innovator of the Year Award in 2006, the Nanotech Briefs Nano 50 Innovator Award in 2006, the Alan Berman Research Publication Award, Department of the Navy in 2006, the Southern Chemist of the Year Award from the American Chemical Society in 2005, and The Honda Innovation Award for Nanocars in 2005. Tour’s paper on Nanocars was the most highly accessed journal article of all American Chemical Society articles in 2005, and it was listed by LiveScience as the second most influential paper in all of science in 2005. Tour has won several other national awards including the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award in Polymer Chemistry and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award in Polymer Chemistry.

Research Areas

Organic Synthesis; Chemical Biology; Spectroscopy & Imaging; Nanomaterial Synthesis

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