Yale is one of America’s top universities which surprisingly has an acceptance rate that is considered high in certain areas. That greatly increases the chances of admission to students who fall into the specified categories.
Entering Yale is a lifetime dream for most students; it could open doors professionally and socially, as graduates become part of an elite society – a network of fine ladies and gentlemen, which the benefit of good education and first class knowledge.
With all that this institution stands for, Yale should be extremely selective. However, some have found the university acceptance rate to be quite liberal.
Why Is Yale University Acceptance Rate High?
Yale has specifically positioned itself as an institution that opens its doors to high achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a result it works with charity organizations for offer educational opportunities to students that fall into this specific category.
For example, Yale University accepted 72 students through Questbridge National Student Match Program. Questbridge is a non profit organization that connects students from low income families to high ranking institutions where they can get sound education to benefit their families and communities.
Since 2007, Yale University has granted admission to 2000 students from Questbridge.
This information, along with the fact that Yale has several other commitments towards making education available to deserving students, creates an impression of Yale having a high acceptance rate. But what are the facts?
What is Yale University Acceptance Rate?
Presently, Yale has announced that it has accepted 2,146 students out of a pool of 57,465 candidates. That is an acceptance rate of 3.7 percent. Yale has maintained a similar acceptance rate; ranging from 3% to 6% in recent years. The university maintains a culture of diversity on campus by accepting suitably qualified candidates from a broad range of backgrounds.
The latest entrants come from all 50 states of the USA, the District of Columbia, as well as 2 US overseas territories. The university also welcomes students from 62 foreign countries.
They will represent 1500 secondary schools, and vie for honors in 83 academic programs. These secondary schools represent all sections of the economic pyramid; meaning that Yale offers one of the most economically diverse student populations in any of the top universities in America.
The economic factors are diverse, but the unifying factor in all the accepted students is excellence in academics. To be considered for acceptance, applicants must also have very good scores at the traditional entrance examinations.
Yale University Application Guide
Interestingly there are three main ways through which students can apply to Yale University. Prospective students must choose one, and only one option. The application options are named The Coalition Application, The Common Application, and The QuestBridge National College Match. The paragraphs below explain each of them in greater detail.
The Coalition Application
The Coalition Application is a platform built by a group of 150 public and private institutions with the goal of making high quality education available to students who may not otherwise be able to attend top institutions.
The Coalition Application is therefore an application that comes with a guarantee of need based financial aid to students.
To apply through this route, visit the Coalition website; visit coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ and create a profile. The application portal becomes open in September, and students must choose Yale’s Specific Questions.
For more information about this route, please visit Yale’s information center; https://admissions.yale.edu/coalition-application. The next option is a lot more straightforward.
Common Applications
Common applications are a lot simpler because the same applications may be sent to over 600 different intuitions around the world. It has been identified as one of the easiest ways to gain acceptance into an institution of higher learning.
To pass through this route, prospective students need to visit the applications portal; visit commonapp.org, and then create a profile. The portal becomes active for applications from September.
Applications to Yale from this platform will still need to answer some Yale specific questions, and will also need to be accompanied by two short essays. However, the essays are not very difficult; they are just used to assess the personality of the applicants.
It is advised that students familiarize themselves with this registration process, and start working on their short answers to the questions, as well as essays before filling these responses on the website.
There is still another way into Yale.
QuestBridge Application
Yale University’s association with QuestBridge is famous; it has already provided a way in for more than 2000 students. QuestBridge continues to be an important application source at Yale University; and can achieve a high probability of entry the university through this application option.
However, QuestBridge is only available to students from low income households. Before choosing this option, students must ensure that they meet these three major requirements. Students must be American citizens, students must be suitably talented, and students must demonstrate financial need.
That is because QuestBridge is a non profit organization, with a mission to link economically disadvantaged students with the best colleges in the country.
In order to apply through this route, students have to visit www.QuestBridge.org and apply for the QuestBridge National College Match Application. Students will have to supply their personal information and credentials such as secondary school, SAT scores, and also write an essay.
QuestBridge National College Match Application is like a stage by stage selection process in which successful students are those who reach the final. At this stage students are then presented with a list of QuestBridge Affiliated Institutions. From this list, students are expected to select Yale, while withdrawing all other applications to any other institution.
Students applying through QuestBridge are not required to pay application fees.
The Following Are Also Required For Acceptance Into Yale
1. Application Fees
Applicants are required to pay an application fee of $80. QuestBridge applicants are not required to make this payment.
2. Recommendations
Applicants are required to provide recommendations from two teachers, and one counsellor at their secondary school. The teachers must have taught the applicant either English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Social Studies or Science. It is preferable that the teachers know the student well, and can attest to their good behavior. The university may contact the teachers for more information. These can be submitted by mail, or uploaded directly to the application websites above.
3. School Report And Transcript
A school report, and transcript is also required. This should include a transcript of all the courses taken at secondary school. This will not be directly to Yale, but instead submitted electronically at the Common Application or Coalition Application website.
4. Good Standard Test Results
Good scores at the standard tests are necessary; these could be any of the following; SAT, ACT, AP, IB. however, it is very interesting to note that there is no minimum score, and there is also no score that can guarantee acceptance into Yale. However, as a rule, students are required to give their bests, and get scores that can justify their admission into this prestigious university.
5. English Language Tests
For foreign students, English proficiency tests may be required, but this is not a rule. This is only required for those from non English speaking countries, when they have not taken at least two years of learning in an institution where English is the language of communication and instruction.
Acceptable English proficiency tests include; TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English, and Duolingo English Test. Please find out which one of these is available in your country. Please act fast because some of them require applicants to register first, and then applicants may need to wait for available testing dates.
Mid Year Reports
Mid Year Reports are acceptable for students who will not be receiving their full year results by February 1. This is to enable the students speed things along, and avoid losing the opportunity to study at this university because of these results.
However, this should be sent in by the school to Yale, on behalf of the applicant. The preferred sending method would be mail.
It is obvious that Yale has a rather complicated application process. The question is “why should students make the extra effort to study at Yale?”
What Makes Yale So Special?
Yale is a prestigious university. It was established in 1701, as a theological school, but before the American Revolution, it had changed its focus to professional studies. Yale is the third oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S, and it is one of the oldest private institutions in the world.
Yale has a fine reputation for research work; over the years it has repositioned itself from a profit making institution to an institution that is dedicated to preserving of knowledge, and a top center for research. To do this, Yale has made commitments to bring in the brightest students and researchers, regardless of their economic status.
Yale has solid learning facilities; its library is the third largest academic library in the United States; it holds more than 15 million books. This library is one of the most important depositories of knowledge in America.
Yale also thrives as a center of knowledge; Yale recorded the first successful use of antibiotics in the United States, and also the use of chemotherapy to treat cancer. Yale is involved in several areas of research, including robotics, electronics, solar energy, and many areas of medicine.
The university boasts a solid academy; 7 new faculty members have been named Guggenheim fellows – bringing the number up to 102. Also part of Yale’s faculty are 67 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 55 members of the National Academy of Medicine. Yale has another 187 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences making up part of its faculty.
Over the years, Yale has been affiliated with 65 Nobel Laureates, 3 Turing Award winners, 5 Fields Medalists, and 4 Abel Prize laureates.
What About Students Who Cannot Afford It?
Students from low earning families can find a better deal at Yale, than at any other American elite university. As mentioned in the introduction, Yale has a soft spot for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The institution is committed to making opportunities available to students from these backgrounds who have the academic talent.
Through its affiliation with Questbridge, students who ordinarily cannot afford an education at Yale can get to study at this prestigious institution.
Aside from that, Yale has a very robust Student Aid regime that has drawn applause from all sections of the academic community for instance. Yale has something called a “Zero Parent Share” offer, which stipulates that parents earning less than $75,000 per year should not have to worry about their child’s educational expenses. The university covers everything from tuition to housing, to meals, to hospitalization insurance.
Yale offers 100% need based financial aid, which means that students can worry about their studies, and nothing else. The most exciting aspect of this fact is that the financial aid is open to all students who need it, regardless of whether they are citizens of the USA or foreign students. As long as the student can show that the financial aid is truly needed, the university is willing to make it available.
In fact, Yale has a special bourse dedicated to provide travel funding to admitted students so that they can travel to the university to finalize their admission. This is especially true because admission is time sensitive; students could lose the chance to study at the university if they do not act fast.
It is important to state that students have the option of applying for financial aid when they apply to study at the university. This means they receive their aid offer with their acceptance letters at the same time. This means they can start to receive aid immediately they arrive at Yale University.
A Special Note To Foreign Students
A common complaint among international students, many of who fail to meet up with the deadline for their acceptance offers is that they are unable to get their travel documents on time. Therefore, students from foreign countries should begin their travel arrangements well ahead of time.
Students from other countries may begin the process of obtaining their international passports up to a year ahead; as this particular documentation can take several months to become available, depending on the country.
Yale is a prestigious university; one of the foremost places of learning and research. Its commitment towards making education possible for poor student is the reason why it seems as though the institution has a high acceptance rate. Getting into Yale is a life defining moment; it is something that could position one towards high achievements in life.
