What a Yale Admissions Officer Really Wants from Applicants | Yale University

On today’s episode, we chat with Nick Strohl, a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Nick and I discuss what makes Yale unique compared to other Ivy League and elite colleges, and what really goes on behind the scenes in the admissions office. Nick breaks down the Yale application, including the dreaded supplemental essays, and offers applicants his best advice.
Check out our blog for more free resources such as:
ingeniusprep.com/blog/yale-su...
ingeniusprep.com/blog/how-to-...
Sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert: hubs.la/H0NbBQ20
Questions or comments? Email [e-mail]
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com/ to learn more.
See you every other Monday!

[@mikau569]

I remember when I was applying, I watched this video in its entirety and took many notes. Guess what- I GOT INTO YALE!!!! For those watching, good luck. This is an amazing resource.

[@Ingeniusprep]

Wow! This just made my day! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations on all of your hard work!

[@michaellamacauley243]

Thank you so muchhh definitely increased my hope!

[@zhanerkezeilbekova5647]

Woow

[@flowerpot3787]

Congrats! Based on the date this video was posted, I presume you applied with early action?

[@Nina-co4jd]

What were your stats?

[@SaifUlIslam-di5xv]

A very useful talk. Thank you!

[@mariayu1012]

Glad to see this channel..the interview is very helpful..my daughter applied for YYGS and waiting for the early decision this mid-December if she'll make it.

[@Ingeniusprep]

Fingers crossed!!

[@tenno719]

did she make it?

[@mariayu1012]

@@tenno719 Yes! And we're really grateful especially on the financial assistance we applied.

[@tenno719]

@@mariayu1012 Congratulations!!!!

[@mariayu1012]

@@tenno719 Thank youuu

[@codysmith8639]

Thank you so much!

[@ella_chysom]

Can we talk about how to get into Yale School of Drama. That would be lovely . Or is there a link to a similar video

[@noopwoopoop]

something I have always wondered about; all of the competitions that we get awards and honors in, how exactly do we submit the certifications? even if we intern and get a certificate, how to we include?

[@thelifeofpie6578]

Should I apple to Yale SCEA?? Apparently, I heard it was very high risk because Yale prioritizes student atheletes and legacies in the early round. I have solid academics (1560 SAT/ 99.4 GPA). Most of my ECs are environmental because I want to major in Earth and Planetary Sciences, though my major activites I only started in junior or the summer of junior year.

[@bbsara0146]

Im pretty sure students aren't applying to a particular ivy, they apply to all of them and go to whichever accepts them LOL

[@Ingeniusprep]

This is generally not a great strategy as school fit is very important at top schools, and students should have a strategy for each school they apply to and reasoning that they can explore in their supplemental essays for why they're a good fit for that particular school and how they'll contribute to their community.

[@bbsara0146]

@@Ingeniusprep you don't know what a school is going to be like until you get there though... you just can see alumni outcomes and their marketing hype.

[@edwardb7811]

There are many differences among Ivy League Colleges. These differences include locations, emphasis on undergraduate teaching, majors, social activities, and networking. Further, there are excellent colleges that are not in the Ivy League that might be compared to a particular Ivy deemed to be a good fit. To apply to all Ivies means that you didn’t take the trouble to pick out one or two that seemed to be the best fit. It is also selfish because yields are important to colleges. Why offer a seat to an applicant who appears indifferent to which college will accept him or her?

[@zd8515]

@@edwardb7811 That's not necessarily true. I applied to every Ivy League school because they either offered good humanities or business programs and they all offered fantastic financial aid. I don't really care about location or campus size, either. They also all offer similar majors and are all focused on undergraduate education.

[@edwardb7811]

@@zd8515 Just what is not true about what I wrote?

[@flowerpot3787]

do you have any tips on how to skip two math courses before sophomore year? I could not take advanced math courses over the last couple of summers following high school due to personal reasons. I'm a freshman currently, and am not taking any advanced courses. For example, instead of spanish II or spanish III, I'm only taking spanish I. For math, I am also taking algebra I, which I plan to advance in over the summer. I asked my school counselor if I can take two courses of math over the summer and she dismissed the idea. Take into consideration that I go to an academically inclined school in the California suburbs where the majority of students excel in mathematics. I have straight A's and play varisty soccer, and am involved in a few extracurriculars I am committed to. Thanks

[@omarfish8940]

I'd suggest not doing that, algebra I and Spanish I are the standard freshman classes for a reason, you really need them to build the foundation of everything else in those 2 fields. After Algebra I then maybe take Geometry over the summer if you really want. What you should be aiming for is to take a combination Algebra II and Precalc course junior year (often called Algebra II/Trigonometry) as that'll prepare you best for the SAT. But you really shouldn't be skipping around when it comes to math courses or foreign language courses. Maybe, if you really want to I'd suggest next year taking AP Lang, AP World History, AP Biology, AP Seminar, AP Psych, AP Enviromental, or the plethora of other AP classes that are usually self-studiable. Just don't take things that are extremely complex and have a set structure like AP physics or AP calc.

[@itstheapocalypse4717]

Honestly, talk to the teachers at your school, as testing up is always an option. As a sophomore in high school, I’ve already skipped Spanish one and plan to skip Spanish three, because of my learning style. It shows up on your transcript as “tested out” or whatever, and it’s a great way to not only impress schools, but excel in the courses

[@dekyi2069]

thank u so much

[@mdkhaledhasan8059]

Keep it low key bro

[@joannevanessa42]

Hi. Im from Malaysia and Im 18 years old. I just want to knq from when should I apply for Yale or any other USA universities?

[@whatis.afairy]

The deadline is usually Jan 1. But if you're applying for Early Decision, submit by November 1

[@kzntsv1]

I got 33 composite in ACT( 35 English, 36 Science and only 28 Math). I did AP Calculus afterwards and earned A and am currently doing AP Statistics to show that I’m not math-impaired. Should I submit this ACT score to Yale( and other top schools)?

[@Anonymous-qy9zq]

yes

[@KoolMonkE]

Why not just take the math part again? You can just submit your ACT super score.

[@benjaminsmith9757]

​@@KoolMonkEYale doesn't take act superscore

[@wolfmangoland7972]

I have strong extracurriculars and a high GPA (took AP courses), but I only scored 1500 on the SAT. Do you think I should submit test-optional or submit my SAT scores? Please advise. I will appreciate it.

[@MormotTheHog]

I hughly suggest you submit and just not go for test optional, coz that can make things a bit twisted

[@wolfmangoland7972]

@@MormotTheHog Thank you.

[@Pizzaman-ju7km]

Might as well submit it. I think that now standardized tests are not weighted as much and your score is within the SAT range for the school. Personally I would try to focus on personal essay & teacher recommendations

[@wolfmangoland7972]

@mcrussian_gamer8936 I was not confident at that time. I got into Princeton and Yale.

[@bbsara0146]

what if you formulate your entire personality based on getting into one of these colleges. but actually hate doing any kind of extracurricular. LOL

[@AC-qi3we]

Does Yale will ignore students if they get a B in one semester?

[@tenno719]

no, as long as your grades are on a upwards trend

[@kuotkuot2141]

Hello everyone I don't know I'm still wondering if yale do accept students with 80.7% actually I want to apply this year but am just worried maybe I would not fit into Yale with this percentage which is less than 3.7gpa. I need a help please

[@jaehunkim6479]

I don't think Yale's aceeptance rate is 80.7% . . .

[@kuotkuot2141]

@@jaehunkim6479 no I think you didn't get what I was saying I mean my percentage is 80.7% can I fit into Yale

[@tammyhi]

@@kuotkuot2141 It's your gpa right?(grade point average) It is definetely weaker than the general applicants but if you take pretty rigorous courses and have good extracurriculars, sure!

[@kuotkuot2141]

@@tammyhi I just want to take chemical engineering

[@whatis.afairy]

Don't worry too much on it, I guess. It's not all about the grades. What about you as a person could change the world? Or maybe the community?

[@chloewagner2460]

Should I submit my 33 ACT score or go test optional?

[@GoinwreckintheirdaddysBenz]

Did u get in?

[@ELZBTHNOAH]

Would be nice if their were a transcript of the conversation.

[@Ingeniusprep]

Great idea! We'll work on that and post it on our blog when it's done.

[@shagnick6877]

Hey there! As colleges are test optional this year should I send my 1350 SAT score to the top ones and explain y I couldn't do better if I have genuine personal and circumstantial reasons? Or is it better to not send them? (I'm an international student)?

[@skandyawesome6434]

better not to

[@shagnick6877]

@@skandyawesome6434 okay thankyou so much

[@comicalastranomical2780]

I wholeheartedly disagree with the initial comment. A 1350 still puts you in the top 92nd percentile nationally; therefore, in addition to considering your extreme circumstances- This may be a very considerable application!…. Don’t only apply to top schools, please! A SAT score like that could get you full-ride & paid housing at normal universities!

[@comicalastranomical2780]

My SAT was 1450 and I get paid to attend college, as a normal university student, and earn roughly $50,000 per year at a noteworthy internship, just would hate to see you limit yourself to specific opportunities that are nearly- outrageously, competitive…

[@Princess-xs5gk]

@@comicalastranomical2780 which university were you accepted into? (If you don't mind sharing)

[@celaine_]

Should I submit a 1520 to Yale? Would this even be competitive? It is a superscore as well

[@asdfghj4163]

doesn’t accept superscores

[@bbjonas4233]

18:00, 35:00

[@chiragjain5887]

Do you think I should submit a 1490 SAT score?

[@Ingeniusprep]

A 1490 is slightly under the average score for Yale students, so it depends on if your grades and other test scores are strong.

[@chiragjain5887]

@@Ingeniusprep I've got a 41/45 IB predicted, 5 in AP CS A, and 730 in SAT II Chemistry.

[@faithgodfrey4112]

Thanks for this video....I applied to yale through the single-choice early action as my top choice school but got rejected 😢😢 planning on applying through the yale regular decision i want to know the requirements/process on how to apply through the regular decision. Thanks

[@LilietteGraceTaylor]

aw i'm sorry, i applied to princeton single-choice early action and also got rejected so i get how you feel!! i wish you all the luck in your regular application!!

[@faithgodfrey4112]

@@LilietteGraceTaylor thanks for the encouragement am very happy...👍👍👍☺️

[@elkozlova]

wow if a early decision was refused, then can you apply for a regular decision again? again in this year, really?

[@faithgodfrey4112]

@@elkozlova Yes u can through regular decision d deadline is January 2 for all school u have from now still January 1 to complete and submit ur regular decision. Am almost done with mine

[@elkozlova]

@@faithgodfrey4112 do you mean for Yale? I received a refusal from the Duke university and there in the letter it is written that it is impossible again☹️

[@mahiraalula4159]

9:00

[@tiwao2911]

Do you think a 1500 is strong for Yale as an international student?

[@mihirdey5168]

It is

[@roberthardenjr28]

My daughter is about to apply. She was on a zoom with a Yale Admissions advisor and other prospective students last night. She is anxious after hearing how a computer separates applications if they don't check certain criteria. Is that true?

[@mahiraalula4159]

12:20

[@aaryanbora8948]

What a Yale Admissions Officer Really Wants from Applicants | Yale University What a Yale Admissions Officer Really Wants from Applicants | Yale University

[@TheHappychickadee]

Unfortunately, a lot of admissions people do not have imagination and only rely on perfect grades and some formula. If universities in the past did that, we would not have had people like Einstein and others because it was learning they were interested in and not ticking off boxes.

[@tweidv8949]

i get your point but einstein was a poor example given that he wasn't american and failed ETH Zurich's admissions test the first time.

[@Ekaterina_Kolesnikova]

Hello! Do you prepare for Harvard LLM? I wrote to email - no one answer me.

[@Ingeniusprep]

Hello! Could you please email ellen.murray @ ingeniusprep.com

[@mikee5507]

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. THEY DON'T LIKE STUDENTS LIKE LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN OR ALBERT EINSTEIN. THEY USED TO BE AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL, BUT THAT'S ALL GONE NOW.