I’m a QB finalist that ranked Rice, and they sent me a link to their application portal yesterday. Scrolling through the supplements tab, I only saw 2 essays (150 words and 250 words). I know Rice on the common app has 3 essays (150, 150, and 500), so do QB finalists not have to write the last 500 words essay? (I want to be 100% sure in case I missed the 500 word essay somewhere on the portal). Thanks!
Yes, just follow the instructions given to you for Questbridge. To be sure, call Rice’s admissions office. But I think you should be fine just doing what the email said.
Here is some info from the Rice forum. The third essay pops up after you enter your choice of the school within Rice that you are applying to. Rice requires you to choose one: engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, music or architecture. If you have any questions, people on the Rice forum who applied last year can give more information. According to @Faulkner1897 whose daughter is a Rice freshman,
"Here is a heads up on the Rice application - there is an essay that does not show up until you fill in the academics section of the Rice questions on the common app. It is set up this way because there are unique questions that appear if you are applying to architecture. But it could surprise someone if they are just glancing at the essays without filling out the basic data first.
Here is the essay question:
Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System is heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What personal perspectives would you contribute to life at Rice? (500 word limit)"
I hope this helps.
@polarx135 - Yes, try filling out all of the info that Rice asks for, especially the school you are applying to (which is not binding), then see whether the 3rd essay shows up. That 3rd essay is probably the most important essay. Keep us posted, and good luck! Rice is an amazing place.
I applied with Rice as my top QB school, but on the QB finalist supplement, I didn’t get the 500 word essay. I applied to the school of social sciences. Should I be concerned? Rice is my dream school, and I’m worried that I may have missed an important essay. 
Bookworm, I think you are fine, it seems like each college has its own thing and social sciences may not have had a supplementary 500-word essay. You can always check your application portal, as it lists all the things that are needed for the application to be considered complete and have either a green check (for complete) or red check (for not completed) next to each item.
Call the admission office and speak to your rep and ask. https://admission.rice.edu/meet-your-counselor
Update: for QB finalists ranking Rice, they waived the 500-word essay. You only need the two essays. To clarify, I applied to Kinesiology in Natural Sciences. (also, sorry this is so late but hopefully this helps someone next year)
@polarx135 Did you match with Rice? If so, Rice is lucky to have you.