How to Apply

The information contained in this section of our website should guide you through the application process.

Application Options

While you may submit either an electronic or paper version of your application to Yale College, we strongly encourage you to apply to Yale online. (For more information on why we encourage this option, click here.) Whichever way you choose to apply, please note that you should choose only ONE of the two options. That is, if you apply electronically, please do not submit a paper version of your application. If you submit a paper application, please do not submit an electronic version.

Apply to Yale Online

Apply to Yale on Paper

Note: it is very important that you use your full legal name on all admissions documents, including teacher recommendations, school report, standardized testing, etc. Your application will be on file with the full legal name you provide on your Common Application. If we receive documents under any other name, there is a possibility that they may not be filed with your application. Please make sure to use the same name throughout the admissions process.

When to Apply

	Single-Choice Early Action (postmark deadline)	Regular Decision (postmark deadline)

Application	November 1	December 31
Financial Aid forms	November 1	March 1

Last Possible Test Dates	Single-Choice Early Action	Regular Decision

for SAT	November	January
for ACT	October	February
for TOEFL	November	January

*In the 2006-2007 application cycle, more than 90% of our applicants filed their application online.
Yale encourages electronic applications for two reasons: your convenience and our processing speed and accuracy. We know that some college counselors and authors of advice manuals recommend applying on paper in order to enhance formatting and appearance. We believe formatting to be irrelevant to our application evaluation procedure, and again, strongly encourage online submissions from our applicants.