Rice itself says the following at this link:
https://www.ricembaadmissions.com/2014/11/admissions-deadlines-what-do-they-mean.html" As Full Time applications are evaluated in rounds, each round comes to an end on the corresponding decision date. All applicants to the Full Time program will be made aware of their admissions decision on the same day--the decision date--by phone call or email. For example, if you have submitted your complete application package on or before Monday, January 5th, 2015, you will receive your admissions decision on Friday, February 27th, 2015 (and not a day sooner)."
So how can results come before Feb 27th?