Admission Requirements

Master's Degree Programs
Faculty teams read all applications to the master's degree programs. Each applicant must be a graduate of a college or university and must provide a completed application form, an essay discussing his/her reason for applying, GRE scores, TOEFL scores for international students, transcripts from colleges and universities attended, and three letters of recommendation. (See Application Procedures for detailed instructions.)

Those applying to the one-year (two term) degree options for the M.E.M. and M.F. should first consult the director of admissions for permission to apply. The one-year programs are for practitioners who have worked for seven or more years in the natural resource and environmental fields.

Applicants to the master's degree programs are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). No department code is necessary. Applicants should indicate the School's institution code number, 3996, when taking the GRE. Applicants for whom English is not a native or customary language of instruction must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Both these tests are administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton NJ 08541; for further information, applicants should write directly to this organization, or visit its Web sites at http://www.gre.org/ or http://www.toefl.org/index.html. Test results should be sent directly to the Registrar, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven CT 06511-2509.

All applicants must have satisfactory undergraduate records, but there are no arbitrary standards or cutoffs for GRE scores or grade point averages. Letters of reference from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's scholarship, professional activities, and career goals are especially valuable. The School looks for students capable of making effective contributions to scientific knowledge or to professional service at the interface between humans and their environment. In particular, the School gives special weight to relevant experiences subsequent to graduating from college. Clarity regarding professional career goals is a critically important part of the applicant's statement.

The final decision on admission rests on an integrated assessment of all the components described above.

Preparation for Admission
The School welcomes applications from individuals who have undergraduate degrees in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, or interdisciplinary programs. A disciplinary focus with some interdisciplinary depth is as valuable in undergraduate programs as in graduate programs. Some exposure to the natural sciences, the social sciences, and college mathematics permits the faculty to offer course work at a more advanced level. Students with adequate undergraduate breadth also have better access to graduate course offerings in other professional schools and departments of the University.

Experience has demonstrated the special value of a short list of selected courses that provide a good foundation for all master's programs in the School. The Committee on Admissions therefore favors applicants who have successfully completed the courses listed below before beginning a degree program at the School. The specific courses listed under each distribution area are judged to be most suitable for helping students gain the maximum advantage from Yale course offerings. The ideal applicant has had the first two courses listed under each of the following three categories:

1. College mathematics—two terms selected from:

a. calculus
b. statistics
c. linear algebra
d. discrete mathematics

2. Natural science—four terms selected from:

a. general biology
b. general chemistry
c. geology/earth science
d. general physics

3. Social science—four terms selected from:

a. introductory economics (micro and macro)
b. political science
c. sociology
d. anthropology

Students who wish guidance in arranging their undergraduate programs in anticipation of graduate study at Yale are invited to correspond or consult with the director of admissions at any time.

Doctoral Degree Programs
These programs are designed to develop the broad knowledge, analytical powers, technical skills, and creative thinking demanded of leaders in environmental and natural resources disciplines. Applicants should hold a bachelor's or master's degree in a field related to natural resources such as forestry, or in a relevant discipline of the natural or social sciences such as biology, chemistry, economics, or mathematics.

English as a Second Language Training Requirement
The Committees on Admissions for master's and doctoral applicants may require as a condition of acceptance that applicants for whom English is a second language, whose undergraduate degree work has not been conducted in English, or whose application suggests such a need, complete a five-week instructional program at Yale in written and spoken English.

This program begins in early July, preceding the summer training modules in technical skills, and includes fourteen hours per week of language instruction as well as general orientation to the United States, New Haven, and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Details about tuition, housing, and general information on the program, which is conducted by the Yale Summer and Special Programs, will be forwarded upon notification of admission.

Application Procedures

Master's Degree Programs
Application for admission to studies leading to the professional degrees of M.E.M., M.E.Sc., M.F.S., or M.F. must be made directly to the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.

Students are admitted only in the fall. Application forms for admissions and for financial aid may be secured by: (1) e-mailing fesinfo@yale.edu; (2) calling the Admissions office at 1.800.825.0330; or (3) writing to the Director of Admissions, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven CT 06511-2509. Applications may also be found on our Web site (http://www.yale.edu/environment/). The deadline for applications is February 1. There is a $60 application fee.

Three Open Houses for prospective students are held during the fall term; a fourth is held in April for admitted students. Visit the F&ES Web site or call 1.800.825.0330 for the schedule. Participants will hear presentations by faculty, students, and staff about the mission and programs of the School, opportunities for research and applied projects, environmental careers, and life at Yale. We encourage prospective students to visit campus at other times if they are unable to attend an Open House. The course schedule is listed on our Web site. You are welcome to sit in on any classes of interest and to talk with faculty and admissions staff. We do not hold formal interviews. Please contact the director of admissions to schedule your visit.

Doctoral Degree Programs
Two doctoral degrees exist at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. The first is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, which is administered jointly by the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The second is the Doctor of Forestry and Environmental Studies (D.F.E.S.) degree, which is administered solely by the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Admissions requirements are identical for both degrees. Those admitted to the Ph.D. program normally pursue research that is more basic, specialized, and theoretical than those in the D.F.E.S. program, where applied research that is directly relevant to management is encouraged. In both degree programs, course work is tailored to the student's previous academic and work experiences. Those receiving the Ph.D. degree commonly pursue academic careers, while those holding the D.F.E.S. degree often work in government, the private sector, or the not-for-profit community. The director of doctoral studies for both programs is Professor Oswald J. Schmitz.

Applications for the Ph.D. program can be obtained from the Web site of the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/admissions/index.html, or by contacting the Yale Graduate Admissions Office, 320 York Street, New Haven CT 06520; telephone, 203.432.2771. The application deadline for the Ph.D. program is January 2, 2003.

Applications for the D.F.E.S. program can be obtained from the School's Web site at http://www.yale.edu/environment/, or by writing to the Director of Doctoral Studies, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven CT 06511. The application deadline for the D.F.E.S. program is February 1, 2003.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is required of all applicants. Contact GRE-ETS, PO Box 6000, Princeton NJ 08541-7670; telephone, 609.771.7670; Web site, http://www.gre.org/.

International applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied for at least two years at a university where English is the primary language of instruction are required to present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants should take the test no later than November, and no earlier than eighteen months prior to application. For information regarding registration, dates, and test centers, contact TOEFL/TSE Services-ETS, PO Box 6151, Princeton NJ 08541-6151; telephone, 609.771.7100; e-mail, toefl@ets.org; Web site, http://www.toefl.org/.

Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses

Tuition and Fees, 2002-2003
The tuition for the Doctor of Forestry and Environmental Studies degree is $24,480. Most doctoral students receive a University fellowship that covers the costs of the first four years of tuition, health insurance, and a stipend during the academic year. Doctoral students must pay a nominal continuing registration fee thereafter. The 2002–2003 tuition for master's degrees (Master of Environmental Management, Master of Forest Science, Master of Environmental Science, and Master of Forestry) is $21,990. (Tuition fees for special students are based on the number of courses taken.) The School reserves the right to revise tuition as it deems appropriate. Tuition does not include the summer training modules in technical skills, the required University hospitalization insurance fee, or materials fees charged by other schools and departments in the University.

Two-year master's students must pay full tuition for two years, regardless of the number of courses they take. Doctoral students must pay full tuition for four years and may remain on continuing registration for only two years thereafter.

A fee of $900, which may be revised at any time, is charged each participant in the training modules in technical skills to cover instructional expenses. A single student in the module program should anticipate living expenses of approximately $835 for a three-week period.

For 2002–2003, students should also anticipate expenses of $1,000 for hospitalization coverage and $990 for books and supplies. A single student can expect living expenses of approximately $9,770 for a nine-month period.

Registration
All students in the master's programs and the Doctor of Forestry and Environmental Studies program must make final registration of course enrollment at the Office of the Registrar of the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven, within two weeks of the first day of classes in the fall and spring terms (see Calendar). A penalty of $25 will be charged for late registration.

All international students are required to complete a nonacademic registration at the Office of International Students and Scholars prior to their regular academic registration.

Part-Time Program
The charge per term for part-time students is 25 percent of tuition for one course, 50 percent for two courses, 75 percent for three courses, and full tuition for four or more courses.

Continuous Registration
Master's degree students who wish to pursue their research through a six-month or one-year internship are permitted to do so and are considered enrolled on a full-time basis. This sequence must be followed by a related project course upon return to the School. A fee of $250 per term for this continuous registration is charged under this option.

Tuition Deposit
Upon acceptance of admission, a deposit of $500 payable directly to the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies is required to hold a place in the entering class. If a decision is made not to matriculate, the deposit will not be refunded.

Tuition Refund
Because of changes in federal regulations governing the return of federal student aid (Title IV) funds for withdrawn students, the tuition rebate and refund policy has changed from that of recent years. The following rules became effective on July 1, 2000.

1. For purposes of determining the refund of federal student aid funds, any student who withdraws from the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies for any reason during the first 60 percent of the term will be subject to a pro rata schedule that will be used to determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. A student who withdraws after the 60 percent point has earned 100 percent of the Title IV funds. In 2002–03, the last days for refunding federal student aid funds will be October 23 (Year 1) and November 1 (Year 2) in the fall term and April 1 in the spring term.

2. For purposes of determining the refund of institutional aid funds and for students who have not received financial aid:

a. 100 percent of tuition will be rebated for withdrawals that occur on or before the end of the first 10 percent of the term (in 2002–03, August 22 [Year 1] and September 13 [Year 2] in the fall term and January 23 in the spring term).

b. A rebate of one-half (50 percent) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals that occur after the first 10 percent but on or before the last day of the first quarter of the term (in 2002–03, September 1o [Year 1] and September 28 [Year 2] in the fall term and February 7 in the spring term).

c. A rebate of one-quarter (25 percent) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals that occur after the first quarter of the term but on or before the day of midterm (in 2002–03, October 11 [Year 1] and October 23 [Year 2] in the fall term and March 6 in the spring term).

d. Students who withdraw for any reason after midterm will not receive a rebate of any portion of tuition.

3. The death of a student will cancel charges for tuition as of the date of death, and the bursar will adjust the tuition on a pro rata basis.

4. If the student has received student loans or other forms of financial aid, rebates will be refunded in the order prescribed by federal regulations; namely, first to the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford and/or Subsidized Federal Stafford loans, if any; then to Federal Perkins loan; next to any other federal, state, private, or institutional scholarships and loans; and, finally, any remaining balance to the student.

5. Loan recipients (Stafford, Perkins, or Yale Student Loan) who withdraw are required to have an exit interview before leaving Yale, and should contact the Student Loan Collection Office at 246 Church Street (432.2727) to determine where the interview will be held.

Student Accounts and Bills
Student accounts, billing, and related services are administered through the Office of Student Financial Services, which is located at 246 Church Street. The telephone number is 203.432.2700.

Yale Charge Account
Students who sign and return a Yale Charge Card Account Authorization form will be able to charge designated optional items and services to their student accounts. Students who want to charge toll calls made through the University's telephone system to their accounts must sign and return this Charge Card Account Authorization. The University may withdraw this privilege from students who do not pay their monthly bills on a timely basis. For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 246 Church Street, PO Box 208232, New Haven ct 06520-8232; telephone, 203.432.2700; fax, 203.432.7557; e-mail, sfs@yale.edu.

Yale Payment Plan
The Yale Payment Plan is a payment service that allows students and their families to pay tuition, room, and board in eleven or twelve equal monthly installments throughout the year based on individual family budget requirements. It is administered for the University by Academic Management Services (AMS). To enroll by telephone, call 800.635.0120. The fee to cover administration of the plan is $50. The deadline for enrollment is June 21. Application forms will be mailed to all students. For additional information, please contact AMS at the number above or visit their Web site at http://www.tuitionpay.com/.

Bills
A student may not register for any term unless all bills due for that and for any prior term are paid in full.

Bills for tuition, room, and board are mailed to the student during the first week of July, due and payable by August 1 for the fall term; and during the first week of November, due and payable by December 1 for the spring term. The Office of Student Financial Services will impose a late charge if any part of the term bill, less Yale-administered loans and scholarships that have been applied for on a timely basis, is not paid when due. The late charge will be imposed as follows:

Nonpayment of bills and failure to complete and submit financial aid application packages on a timely basis may result in the student's involuntary withdrawal from the University.

No degrees will be conferred and no transcripts will be furnished until all bills due the University are paid in full. In addition, transcripts will not be furnished to any student or former student who is in default on the payment of a student loan.

Charge for Returned Checks
A processing charge of $20 will be assessed for checks returned for any reason by the bank on which they were drawn. In addition, the following penalties may apply if a check is returned:

1. If the check was in payment of a term bill, a $110 late fee will be charged for the period the bill was unpaid.

2. If the check was in payment of a term bill to permit registration, the student's registration may be revoked.

3. If the check was given in payment of an unpaid balance in order to receive a diploma, the University may refer the account to an attorney for collection.

Master's Financial Aid, 2002-2003

Policy and Procedures
The School, in order to assist students with demonstrated financial need and academic merit, offers a combination of scholarships, employment, and loan opportunities.

The level of funding for each student is determined at the time of admission; therefore, it is critical that all application deadlines are met. Although a student must apply for aid each year, the level of School aid will remain the same as long as there is demonstrated financial need.

Financial aid materials are updated annually, incorporating new regulations, changes in eligibility requirements, and other pertinent information. New financial aid applications are available in late fall of the year prior to matriculation—in fall 2002 for matriculation in fall 2003, for example. New forms are available at the School's Web site, http://www.yale.edu/environment/ or from the Financial Aid Office anytime after November 1. Financial Aid applications must be postmarked by February 15.

U.S. citizens requesting financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in public libraries and on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and a School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application, available from the School. International students must complete a Foreign Student Financial Aid Application and a School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application.

Scholarships
For students demonstrating financial need, the School awards scholarships to help cover a portion of the tuition. Because funds are limited, scholarships are awarded to the top candidates only. In combination with employment and loans, these students can meet the full cost of their education. In addition to School scholarships, there are several special scholarship awards:

Students entering in 2002 who are planning to pursue conservation careers may apply for approximately ten Doris Duke Conservation Fellowships provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to assist them with one subsequent year of tuition support. Funds are also available to aid these Fellows in summer internships with nonprofit and public agencies in the conservation field and for loan repayment assistance.

The Rockefeller-Underhill Scholarship for Tropical Conservation provides funding to a native of Central or South America who intends to pursue a career in tropical conservation in Latin America. Applicants must submit the Foreign Student Financial Aid Application.

The School offers minority scholarships to outstanding members of U.S. racial/ethnic minorities that are underrepresented in the student population. The Philip Laurance Buttrick Fund makes awards to selected students, with preference given to students of American Indian descent. Applicants must complete the School's Financial Aid Application and the FAFSA.

The Paul Douglas Camp Scholarship is awarded to a student or students interested in forestry, forest management, or the use of forest products. The recipient of this scholarship must be a resident of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, or Georgia.

A number of additional endowed scholarships are available to second-year students. Grants range from $2,000 to $8,000 and are awarded on the basis of need, scholarship, professional promise, and other criteria specified by the donors. The rown Zellerbach Foundation Fund provides graduate fellowships, with preference given to graduates of institutions in Oregon or Washington. The Enid Storm Dwyer Scholarship is awarded to a student with an interest in conservation and the environment. The John S. Griswold Scholarship is awarded to a student demonstrating financial need. The H. Stuart Harrison Fellowships are awarded to students of environmental studies. The Marvin Klemme Fellowship is awarded to a student interested in research on the genetics of oaks or other slow-growing tree species, or to a student interested in research on tropical ecosystems. The John A. MacLean Scholarships are awarded to graduate students interested in forest conservation. The John M. Musser Fellowships in Population and Environment are awarded to candidates who wish to study the relationship between human population and the use and management of the environment, with priority given to women and minority students. The Alan N. Mann Memorial Fellowships are awarded to students demonstrating financial need. The Carl F. Norden Scholarship is awarded to a student demonstrating financial need. The Gilman Ordway Family Scholarship Fund for Environmental Studies makes awards to students who will give serious consideration to making a career in environmental studies either with a nongovernmental private organization or in a government job devoted to national resource protection. The Leonard Carpenter Scholarships are awarded to students engaged in the study of environmental and natural-resource topics. The Mrs. James Wiley Scholarship FundSmakes awards to students interested in conservation and conservation biology. The Charles F. Wilson Scholarships are awarded to students interested in forestry. The Ray L. Wilson Scholarships are awarded to students interested in forestry.

National fellowships and scholarships
All students and applicants are strongly urged to compete for outside fellowships and scholarships which can be used at Yale. These fellowships are sponsored by both public and private agencies and are often generous. In addition to financial advantages, the student who wins an award in a national competition earns genuine distinction. In the past, F&ES students have been recipients of awards from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, the Leopold Schepp Foundation, and Fulbright Fellowships, among others. Enrolled students can compete for fellowships offered by the Heinz Family Foundation to support master's project research. All outside awards may be held together with School awards up to combined levels that are no higher than the normal educational expense budget. More information is available on the Web or by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Employment opportunities
Student Employment opportunities are listed at the Student Employment Office at 246 Church Street, or on its Web site at http://www.yale.edu/seo/. Positions are throughout the University and the city of New Haven, with hourly rates of $9 to $15. A list of jobs at the School will be available in late summer.

Teaching Fellowships are available at the University for qualified students. Each department or professor makes its own hiring decisions, so interested students must contact them directly. The usual salary is $3,400 per term.

Loans
Yale University participates in two federal loan programs: the Stafford program and the Perkins program. To qualify for these loans, a student must be a U.S. citizen and meet certain requirements determined by a federally approved need analysis.

Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $18,500 in Stafford loans, of which up to $8,500 may be subsidized by the federal government. Perkins loans, capped at $5,000, are available to students who demonstrate need beyond the level of a subsidized Stafford loan. While Stafford loans are available to all eligible borrowers, Perkins loans are limited by available funds. For more details on these programs, refer to the government Web site at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

International Student Financial Aid
In order to apply for financial aid from the School, international students must complete two applications: the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application and the International Student Financial Aid Application. Both applications are available on the Web and must be completed and postmarked by February 15.

Three full scholarships will be offered to international students from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. All admitted students are automatically considered for this prize. Awards are based on the strength of the applicant's admissions material and will cover all costs for the two-year program. The School also has agreements with a number of international organizations to provide matching funding to scholarship recipients; combined funding covers full costs for two years. Students are encouraged to contact organizations such as the Muskie Program administered by the Open Society Institute (a Soros foundation) for students from countries once belonging to the former Soviet Union, the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship Program for students from countries supported by the World Bank, the LASPAU program for Latin Americans, and the ATLAS program for African students. The Financial Aid Office offers scholarships and employment opportunities to as many international students as our resources will allow; however, most students need additional support. It is for this reason that international students are encouraged to seek support from their government, employer, or various international agencies.

International students must certify full funding for their entire course of study before visa documents can be issued. The Financial Aid Office will mail instructions and forms shortly after admission decisions are made; information is also available at the Web site of Yale's Office of International Students and Scholars (http://www.oiss.yale.edu/).

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