Yale College
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 208234
New Haven, CT
06520-8234   USA

Physical address:
38 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, CT
06511

Phone: 203-432-9300
FAX: 203-432-9370
*FAX: 203-777-6120

*for missing application
materials only.

Contact us

Equal Opportunity
Statement

QuestBridge Frequently Asked Questions 2009-2010

This is Yale’s third year as a partner college in the QuestBridge College Match program, and we are very excited to be involved with a program that attracts some of the nation’s brightest young students. Our Match Process differs slightly from many other QuestBridge partners, so be sure to review the Frequently Asked Questions below for helpful information. If you still have questions, please feel free to email us at questbridge@yale.edu.

How does applying to Yale through QuestBridge differ from applying to other QuestBridge Partners?
Unlike many other partner schools, a Yale Match is non-binding, which means that students may apply to other schools in Regular Decision. Students have until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission.

What application materials do I have to submit to Yale by the November 2nd deadline in order for my application to be considered complete?

  • Official high school transcript.
  • Official scores for the SAT and two SAT Subject Tests subject tests OR the ACT with writing (official score reports from your guidance counselor will also be accepted). Yale requires students report all score results. For more information on Yale’s testing policy, please refer to the Important Instructions on Test Score Reporting page.
  • The following Financial Aid Documents should be submitted by fax to 203-777-6100. Please write your full name, your Yale Student ID Number (if you rank Yale, you will receive this via email after Finalists are announced), and “QuestBridge” on all pages.
    • QuestBridge Cover Sheet for Financial Documents to Yale.
    • Your parents’ 2008 federal income tax return (signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2s, and other earnings statements). Include personal and corporate/partnership tax returns, if applicable.
    • The 2010-2011 CSS PROFILE Application submitted electronically.
    • If your parents are not together, your non-custodial parent should submit his/her tax return, W-2s and a copy of the Noncustodial PROFILE, available when you complete the CSS PROFILE.
    • If your parents are self-employed, they should submit the Business/Farm Supplement directly to Yale.

What if my parents are not required to file a 2008 federal tax return?
If your parents are not required to file a 2008 federal tax return, please have them complete the 2010-2011 Parent Non-Tax Filer Statement.

Do I have to submit my teachers’ letters of recommendations for the Match?
No. We receive a copy of your teachers’ and guidance counselor’s letter of recommendation with your QuestBridge Finalist application from QuestBridge. It is not necessary to contact us to confirm that we have received these recommendations or to resend these documents.

 

Common Questions

What are the important deadlines for my application?

QuestBridge will notify Finalists and Non-Finalists of their status on October 23. Finalists who rank Yale need to submit additional information by November 2 to be considered for the Match. Finalists who apply for the Match, but do not Match with Yale, are welcome to apply through Regular Decision if eligible. Non-Finalists may apply to Yale through Single-Choice Early Action (deadline: November 1) or Regular Decision (deadline December 31). Standard requirements apply.

Questions   Finalist Applying
for the Match		   Finalist Applying for Regular Decision   Non-Finalist Applying for Single-Choice Early Action or Regular Decision
bdot
What additional materials do I need to submit?   • Official transcript
• Official test score report 		   • Common Application
 • Yale Supplement to the Common Application
 • Official transcript
 • Official test score report
 • Mid-year school report
More info   		   • Common Application
 • Yale Supplement to the Common Application
 • Teacher recommendations
 • Secondary school report
 • Official transcript
 • Official test score report
 • Mid-year school report More info
bdot
Can the application fee be waived?   Yes.
No fee is required for the College Match process. 		  Yes.
Indicate the request for a fee waiver on the Common Application. Enter “QuestBridge Finalist” in the appropriate space. All Finalists are eligible for an automatic waiver. 		  Yes.
Fee waivers are not automatically granted but can be requested. Students should visit our Web site for specific instructions on requesting a fee waiver.
bdot
What financial aid forms are required?   • CSS Profile (submit electronically)
• FAFSA (available after Jan. 1, 2010)
• W2s, Federal Tax Returns
More info    		  • CSS Profile (submit electronically)
• FAFSA (available after Jan. 1, 2010)
• W2s, Federal Tax Returns
More info  		   • CSS Profile (submit electronically)
• FAFSA (available after Jan. 1, 2010)
• W2s, Federal Tax Returns
More info  
bdot
What are the deadlines for material?   November 2    Regular Decision: December 31
More info 		  Single-Choice Early Action: November 1 Regular Decision: December 31
More info
bdot
Can I apply Single-Choice Early Action?   No.
To apply Single-Choice Early Action, Finalists must withdraw from the National College Match process		   Not applicable.   Yes.
bdot
What is the latest date I can take the SAT?   October 10, 2009   January 23, 2010   Single-Choice Early Action: November 7, 2009 Regular Decision: January 23, 2010
bdot
What is the latest date I can take the ACT?   October 24, 2009   February 6,2010      Single-Choice Early Action: October 24, 2009 Regular Decision: February 6, 2010
bdot

I am not a US citizen. May I still apply to Yale through the College Match program?
Yes. We will consider all applicants regardless of citizenship.

How can I have my application fee waived?
For QuestBridge Finalists, there is no fee to apply to the College Match process. If QuestBridge Finalists do not Match with Yale, but would like to apply through Regular Decision, the application fee of $75 can be waived. When filling out the Common Application for Regular Decision, QuestBridge Finalists should go to the ‘Payments’ tab, click on ‘Fee Waiver Request,’ and select ‘Other.’ Then on the Yale Supplement, enter “QuestBridge Finalist” as an explanation for requesting a fee waiver. You need not submit any additional paperwork.

QuestBridge Non-Finalists may still qualify for the fee waiver by request. Please visit our Fee Waiver page for more information on how to request a fee waiver.

Do I need an interview? How can I get one?
During the QuestBridge College Match process, we will offer a limited number of interviews to select candidates in their home area. We will contact you directly if we are able to offer you an interview. It is not possible to request an interview. During Single-Choice Early Action and Regular Decision, regular interview instructions apply.

If you are planning to visit the campus during the summer or fall, you may schedule an on-campus interview by using the online scheduler.

How do I find out if I match with Yale?
QuestBridge will notify students of their College Match status on December 1. If you have any questions about your status as a College Match Finalist or Scholar, you should contact QuestBridge directly.

If I apply through the College Match program and do not match with Yale, what are my application options?
If you do not Match with Yale, but Match with another non-binding school, you are welcome to apply to Yale for Regular Decision. If you Match with a binding school, you are not eligible to apply Regular Decision to Yale. Many QuestBridge College Match acceptances are binding, so check with your Match school before submitting an application.

If you do not Match with any schools during the College Match program, you are welcome to apply Regular Decision to Yale. Please reference the chart above or the QuestBridge Web site for specific requirements. Note that you must also request that QuestBridge forward your QuestBridge application to Yale, which will allow us access to your school recommendations and other documents. Additionally, it is not necessary to write new/additional essays and you are encouraged to reuse QuestBridge essays for the Common Application and Yale Supplement.

QuestBridge Finalists who participate in the College Match program are not eligible for Single-Choice Early Action at Yale.

If I apply through the College Match program and am not named a finalist, what are my application options?
If you are not named a College Match Finalist, you are welcome to apply to Yale via Single-Choice Early Action or Regular Decision using the Common Application and Yale Supplement. Standard Yale application requirements apply. We will not accept QuestBridge application materials for Non-Finalists.

Are my chances of getting in to Yale different depending on how I apply?
QuestBridge College Match applicants are evaluated by the same high standards as all Yale applicants, taking into account the entire context of a student’s high school program, family circumstances, and personal achievements. The timing and notification of the decision vary slightly because of the QuestBridge application timeline.

Additionally, Yale will only offer admission through the National College Match to students whose parents qualify to make zero contribution to college costs. Typically, this includes families with total income less than $60,000 per year, though Yale does consider family assets, business ownership and other special circumstances in addition to annual income. Students who are not eligible for a zero parent contribution will be considered for admission to Yale in regular decision and will still qualify for extremely generous aid calculated to meet full financial need, with no loans required.

What happens with financial aid if I do not Match with Yale in the College Match process but Yale does admit me later in the Regular Decision process?
Yale will provide generous need-based financial aid to all admitted students who qualify and will meet full demonstrated need during the College Match, Single-Choice Early Action, or Regular Decision.

For more information about Yale’s financial aid policies, please visit the Financial Aid page. You can also use our Financial Aid Calculator for an estimate of your family’s expected contribution.

How many students will be matched with Yale?
This is Yale’s third year as a QuestBridge College Match partner. In 2008-2009, we Matched with 17 students, and admitted 56 additional QuestBridge Finalists through Regular Decision. In 2007-2008, we Matched with 19 QuestBridge Finalists, and 71 were accepted later during Regular Decision. The number of Yale Matches and admitted students will depend on the strength of individual applications, and may vary from year to year.

Does Yale fund students' travel for visitation programs in the fall?
Yale does not fund travel for prospective applicants. However, we welcome students to attend an overnight visit program, information sessions and tours whenever they can. In particular, we invite students to attend our fall Multicultural Outreach Program’s Open House.

How can I contact QuestBridge directly ?
You can call QuestBridge at 1-888-275-2054 or 1-650-331-3280.  For general questions, email questions@questbridge.org.  For technical related questions, email techsupport@questbridge.org.  They can also be reached through their website.