Yale admissions officers look for applicants who demonstrate genuine academic curiosity, collaboration, and a high impact on their communities.
Yale seeks students who will add the most to the Yale experience through qualities like openness, collaboration, initiative, and a diverse background.
Deep dives
What Makes an Applicant Stand Out?
In this podcast episode, the Yale admissions officers address the question of what makes an applicant stand out in their admissions process. They stress that the selection process is not about amassing points or having a perfect application, but rather about standing out among a large pool of strong applicants. The officers emphasize the importance of fit, both academically and in terms of engaging with and contributing to the Yale community. They look for students who demonstrate genuine academic curiosity, a willingness to collaborate, and a high impact on their communities. While exceptional accomplishments are valued, it is the person behind those accomplishments that matters most.
What Yale Looks For
The podcast delves into what Yale looks for in applicants beyond academic fit. They seek students who will add the most to the Yale experience and get the most out of it. This goes beyond focusing solely on achievements or predicting future success. Yale admissions officers aim to create a shared experience and value qualities like openness, collaboration, and initiative. They want students who are excited about research opportunities, innovation, and interdisciplinary study. The ability to impact one's community and engage with others is also highly regarded. Yale's emphasis on fit extends to diversity in all its forms, recognizing the importance of a rich and varied student body.
Revealing Personal Qualities in Applications
The admissions officers discuss the various components of an application where students can reveal their personal qualities. Essays play a crucial role, allowing students to showcase their authentic selves, genuine academic passions, and their excitement for what Yale offers. Extra-curricular activities can stand out when they demonstrate impact on the community and reflect a student's ability to collaborate and engage with others. Teacher recommendations that break the mold and illustrate why a student is special in the classroom can greatly influence the admissions process. The officers also value students who have achieved despite challenges and those who come from underrepresented backgrounds. They emphasize that standing out is not about being novel or unusual but about demonstrating a strong fit with Yale and the potential to add value to the college experience.
Most applicants to Yale are strong along many dimensions, but only a small group truly stand out. Hannah and Mark discuss how admissions officers try to gauge what an applicant would add to and take from the Yale experience. Admissions officer Keith adds insights about what makes applicants stand out in Yale’s large and diverse pool of prospective students.
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