Established in 1701, Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
Some popular subjects offered at Yale are Economics, Psychology, Computer Science, and Engineering.
Important Factors in Admission Decision
Yale considers the following “very important” factors in admission decisions
Course rigor
GPA
Class Rank
Essays
Recommendation letters
Extracurriculars
Talent/ability
Character/ personal qualities
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Yale
1. Achieve a high GPA while taking the most challenging classes available
It’s extremely important for Yale applicants to not only possess outstanding grades but for those grades to come in challenging courses. International students accepted to a top 10 school like Yale typically complete between 5 to 8 advanced courses in high school.
Taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams is a great way to enhance your academic profile and demonstrate your commitment to challenging coursework. These exams allow you to showcase college-level knowledge which can impress admissions officers looking for students who push themselves academically.
2. Aim for a 1580 SAT or a 35+ ACT
Yale is test flexible. This means that students are allowed to submit standardized test scores, but with a unique twist: they can choose which scores to include from four options ACT, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or SAT. This approach empowers applicants to highlight their strengths and demonstrate their academic readiness in a way that best represents their abilities. By allowing a variety of assessment methods, Yale recognizes that not every student excels in standardized testing and aims to create a more equitable admissions process that considers a broader range of academic accomplishments.
The middle 50% of the Yale class of 2024 earned SAT scores of 1500-1570 and ACT scores of 33-35+. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the higher the score, the better your odds of admission.
3. Explore Your Favorite Subjects via Research Papers
One common factor that we have noted in the resumes of students admitted to the Ivy Leagues and other top colleges is the prevalence of research work while still in high school.
A high-quality research paper shows that you have the energy and the initiative to go beyond what is taught in the class and apply it to real-life problems. It shows that your interest in the subject extends beyond the questions provided at the end of the chapter. Secondly, you learn the discipline of not rushing intuitively to the likely answer, instead using a deliberate process in which you are guided by the data. Lastly, in working with a skilled professor or mentor you learn how to organize your thoughts better, ask the right questions, and try to answer those questions in the best way possible subject to the constraints.
For students applying to science or engineering fields at Yale, submitting academic work, such as research papers, can further bolster your application. If you’ve completed significant research, either through school or independently, and have been recognized for your work, including this material as a supplement can emphasize your commitment to academic exploration and innovation. In competitive fields, research papers demonstrate your ability to engage with complex topics at a high level.
4. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “niche”)
For selective institutions like Yale, extracurricular activities can play a larger role in admission decisions. Up to 25% of an admissions decision can be determined by a student’s activities outside of the classroom. While it’s true that there is no such thing as a bad extracurricular activity, some extracurricular activities are more impressive than others.
Admissions officers evaluate extracurriculars with one being the most exceptional and four being the most common. For example:
Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership at a national or international level. Some examples are,1) Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, a national prize awarded to top 20 pre-collegiate musicians, 2) Regeneron Science Talent Award, one of the most prestigious opportunities for high school students to present original scientific research in the USA, 3) World Robot Olympiad, a global competition where youngsters (13 to 19 years age) from different countries participate, 4) International Mathematical Olympiad, a math competition for pre-university students, 5) International Science Olympiads in various areas of the formal sciences, natural sciences and social sciences.
Tier 2 extracurriculars show high levels of achievement and leadership but aren’t quite as rare as activities found in Tier 1 (they’re more of state-level achievements). These include making an all-state selection in athletics, serving as student body president, or being selected for a prestigious state-wide summer program like the governor’s school.
Tier 3 extracurricular activities are great for showing an applicant’s interest outside of the classroom but don’t have the cachet of higher-tiered extracurriculars. These activities are smaller leadership roles and achievements that often appear on applications. These include being captain of a sports team or holding a lesser officer position in a club.
Tier 4 extracurriculars are the least impressive and most common activities seen by admissions officers. These activities include playing a sport or instrument, participating in a club but not holding a leadership position, and volunteering.
Supplementary Submission: If you have exceptional talents in the arts, Yale encourages you to submit a portfolio as part of your application. This can include visual art, music, film, or other creative works. The admissions committee wants to see not just technical skill but the creativity, dedication, and passion behind your work. A well-crafted portfolio can highlight your artistic achievements and set you apart as a multi-talented applicant.
5. Write Engaging Essays
Essays are the best way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Yale requires all applicants to submit one personal essay and three-question prompts as part of its application. These short takes and essays range from 35 words to 400 words. Let’s take a look at some of these questions:
What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? Students should focus on specific aspects of Yale that resonate with their academic and personal interests. Mention unique programs, resources, or campus culture that excite you. Show that you’ve done your research and explain how Yale’s offerings align with your goals and values.
What inspires you? This prompt asks you to reflect on what genuinely motivates and excites you in life. It could be anything from a passion for learning, a personal experience, a creative pursuit, or a cause you're deeply committed to. The goal is to reveal what drives you on a deeper, personal level.
Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful? This prompt encourages you to reflect on a significant conversation where you engaged with someone who had a different perspective on an important issue. The experience should showcase your ability to communicate, listen, and understand opposing viewpoints. Discussing why this interaction was meaningful allows you to demonstrate personal growth, empathy, and your commitment to open dialogue, highlighting how it shaped your views or understanding of the issue.
6. Recommendation Letters
Letters of recommendation (LOR) help paint a complete picture of who you are in front of the admission officers. Like any good painter, you want to be in control of your whole application. It is important to ensure that you are approaching teachers, mentors, etc. that know you well. The LOR provides an insight into your personality, behaviors, and work ethic and is crucial to your application. Yale requires you to send recommendations from
Teacher – Required 2
High School Counsellor – Required
You should approach your high school teachers several months in advance. Requesting a letter of recommendation from a teacher is a big ask—they’re busy and don’t get paid to write recommendations. Make it easy for your recommenders by giving them plenty of time, and providing them with as much relevant information as possible.
7. Apply Early Action
Admission to Yale via the Restrictive Early Action (REA) is non-binding which means that the student is not obligated to attend if they are accepted. REA might be a good option for a student if all of the following apply:
They have identified Yale as their first choice.
They have taken a challenging academic schedule through high school and have done well.
They have sufficient time before the November 1, REA deadline to write compelling essays.
If a student applies to Yale under REA, they may only apply to public universities in their Early Application round.
The primary criterion for admission to Yale is academic excellence. Yale values students who are committed, dedicated, passionate, have the potential to succeed, and those students with a genuine interest in expanding their intellectual horizons. Following the guidelines above will help you present your best self to Yale University and maximize your admission chances.
EZ Scholar is a premium admissions consultancy and test prep organization which works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, and other top global universities. Our experts have mentored thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, test prep, and admissions essays.
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