From: Office of Academic Programs and Student Experience
Date: June 26
Subject: Summer Scoop | Professional MBA | June 30, 2025


 June 30, 2025

What should I be doing now?

Review the Professional MBA Class of 2027 Onboarding Checklist to confirm that you are on track in submitting administrative items to help us prepare for your first day. You can access the Onboarding Checklist in your applicant portal at apply.business.rice.edu/account/login and click the ONBOARDING tab at the top. 

Featured checklist items:

  • Clear holds in ESTHER
    Login to ESTHER and begin clearing the required holds that will prevent your registration for courses. Instructions to clear holds are available here.

  • Media waiver
    Complete the media waiver required of all students. Click here to access the Media Waiver. 

  • If you have not already done so, complete your Onboarding Survey

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Student Clubs and Involvement

Rice Business has many ways for you to get involved. We have more than 40 active student clubs and associations, and a very active student government — the Rice Business Student Association for Professionals (RBSAP). Our clubs and associations range in topic from industry, to affinity, to social. There are opportunities for you to join these clubs and associations as first-year students and, in many cases, take an active role in the leadership of those clubs as first-year representatives.

This is also the case for the RBSAP. The Rice Business Student Association for Professionals facilitates constructive communication between the student body and the administration, faculty and staff at the Jones Graduate School of Business. Additionally, the RBSAP creates an atmosphere which promotes interaction between all Rice Business students and the community. RBSA aims to maximize student access and opportunities, optimize learning and increase the value of the Rice MBA. RBSAP takes on first-year representatives each year in the fall — with representation from each section — who serve for the duration of the academic year.

When can you start joining these clubs?

In late August when first- and second-year students are on campus for fall classes, you’ll have an opportunity to “meet” the clubs .You'll also have an opportunity to “meet” these clubs and associations at the very first partio: Clubs Partio. This is a terrific way for you to learn more information about our associations and have your questions answered.

 

Student Club Highlights: Get Involved from Day One! 

Discover how Rice Business students connect, lead, and grow through vibrant clubs spanning career, cultural, and social interests. From consulting prep to culinary nights, there’s a club for every passion—get involved before classes even begin!

 

Healthcare Association

The Healthcare Association aims to connect students with leaders across the Texas Medical Center and to create new opportunities for engagement in the healthcare space. Open to all students with an interest in healthcare — regardless of background or experience. We’re excited to meet you and look forward to seeing you at the Partio!

-Steve Rodriguez, 2025-2026 Co-President

 

Black Business Student Association

The Black Business Student Association is here to empower and support the student population by cultivating a vibrant and inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, opportunities are abundant, and connections are strengthened. We are dedicated to fostering professional growth, supporting community initiatives, and creating a supportive network through social gatherings, educational events, mentorship programs, and strategic partnerships.

-Joy Payne, 2025-2026 Co-President 

 

Out & Allied

Founded in 1993, Out & Allied is the affinity group for MBAs who are LGBTQ-identifying and allies! We host inclusive events like Rice Business’s annual Pride Partio, Queeroke, and other fun gatherings throughout the year, which are open to all members of the community. This June, we're all starting our internships, or preparing for GFE, but enjoying Pride Month wherever we are! We're excited to meet all incoming first years--congrats on making this milestone!

 - Marie Olavere, 2025-2026 Co-President

 
 

Calling Entrepreneurs and Future Founders: An opportunity for you!

Are you a graduate student interested in entrepreneurship? Considering a path as a founder? The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) is the home of experiential learning and co-curricular activities in entrepreneurship and innovation at Rice University. Lilie's mission is to equip Rice students with both entrepreneurial skills and the entrepreneurial mindset to prepare them to be entrepreneurs and innovators in whatever industry they choose, be it a technology startup, government, civic group, non-profit, small business, or large corporation. Lilie is comprised of experiential courses, co-curricular opportunities, a state-of-the-art on-campus lab space, and an array of resources to support student learning. Feel free reach out to Lilie's Executive Director Kyle Judah with any questions or Nick Tucker at nick.tucker@rice.edu. 

Reminder: Get ready for class by starting pre-MBA Quantitative Skills courses now

Fundamental quantitative skills are important in any MBA program, but many students need a refresher before they begin their core classes. We have developed three online Pre-MBA courses to ease you back into these concepts: Data Analytics, Accounting and Finance. 

These courses provide a bridge to your quantitative core classes, setting you up for success no matter how rusty you may be! We encourage you to take the waiver test for each course as a first step. If you pass it, you have met the requirement for that course. If you don’t pass, take the Pre-MBA Quant Skills course to be better prepared when you begin your core classes.  Please note that Data Analytics and Accounting are required and Finance is optional, but strongly encouraged. 

Please review the full details for the Pre-MBA Quant Skills preparation courses on the Applicant Portal. There, you’ll find course descriptions and instructions to access the Coursera for Rice platform. You’ll also find deadlines by which you should complete each of the courses.


 

💻 Career Course Reminder

Quick reminder: You should have access to the CDO Async Career Toolkit on Canvas. It’s required before Launch if you are a PMBA student and intend on seeking an internship in your first year. For all others, it is not required, but highly suggested even if you do not plan on  recruiting as a student. The content will help you assess where you are in your career and also cover internal growth at your current company/industry and how to make the most of your time as a working professional student. 

Need help? Email cdo@rice.edu.