<p>My son is in his first semester at Rice. I am looking at the 2011-12 academic calendar, and it says that final exams are from April 25-May 2. The residential colleges don't close though until May 14.</p>
<p>Other than seniors who need to stick around for graduation, should I expect to bring my student home by May 2 or is there another reason they would stick around? Twelve days seems like a big gap. (I ask because I am doing some trip planning.) Thanks.</p>
<p>It varies. Some students have finals until the last day (May 2nd) and have to stay there. Some students have all takes homes and finish early and therefore go home sooner. He won’t know his finals schedule until later in the spring. Also, many students choose to stick around so they can attend graduation and spend time with friends.</p>
<p>You can leave at May 2nd. Often earlier, as dragon2owl says. </p>
<p>Based on my experience at Rice, huma/social science majors were more likely to leave early as they had more term papers etc. They could leave and finish from home. Engineers (especially the first 2 years) have more scheduled exams and leave when they are done.</p>
<p>Most helpful. Thank you both.</p>