Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Admissions

Special Student Application (SS)

Students in the Division of Special Registration engaged solely in coursework or a combination of coursework and research are identified as Special Students. Admission to the DSR as a Special Student is for one term or one year only and carries with it no commitment for further study. Special Students are enrolled in the Graduate School and have all the privileges of a student, including receiving a Yale transcript with coursework and grades listed. Students enrolled as special students are not eligible for financial aid or student loans.

The first step to apply as a Special Student is to contact the department with which you wish to affiliate. You must have permission from the department to apply before submitting your application.

Requirements/General Information
  • A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) required.
  • The deadline for receipt of application materials is July 1 for the Fall semester and November 15 for the Spring semester.
  • Application Fee is $95 (US)
  • The cost for 2009-2010 is $4,063 per course per term.
  • You may enroll in up to four courses a term, for a maximum of two terms (one year).
  • You may petition to enroll for up to an additional two terms (one year), for a total of two years of study.
  • International applicants may only be admitted as full-time Special Students.
  • Special Students are not eligible for financial aid from the Graduate School and must demonstrate sufficient financial support at the time of application.
  • You must first consult the department directly to verify they will consider Special Students.
How to Apply

A complete application contains the following:

  • The Division of Special Registration Special Student application.
  • A 500 – 1000 word statement concerning your past work, preparation for intended studies, and relevant background. Please also list the courses (be as specific as possible) that you plan to enroll in while at Yale. If, in addition to taking courses, you plan on conducting research, please describe your research project and the name(s) of the Yale faculty member(s) you will be working with.
  • The Graduate School application fee of US$95.00 (Check or Money Order only)
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your academic work, intellectual ability or academic potential for graduate work.
  • Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
  • GRE scores are required. Contact ETS to have them released to code 3987.
  • Proof of health insurance or intent to purchase health insurance through the Yale Health Plan.
  • Proof of funding to demonstrate how you will support yourself financially (tuition, cost of living, and health insurance) while at Yale.
Additional Information for International
Applicants and Non-U.S. Citizens

A complete application contains the following:

  • TOEFL scores are required for 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. Contact ETS to have them released to code 3987.
  • The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) will issue a visa to non-U.S. citizens who are accepted and can demonstrate sources of funding for an estimated $1,960/month for cost of living expenses and who demonstrate sufficient insurance coverage. Consult this page for more information.

Note that some Yale departments/programs will not accept coursework completed while enrolled as a Special Student to count toward a graduate degree should the student later be accepted into a graduate degree program at Yale University.

Please submit your complete application, including all supplemental materials and the application fee, directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at the address listed on the application. All admission decisions are communicated in written form by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, not by individual departments or programs. Only letters sent directly from the Graduate School may be considered official notifications of admission.

Download the Special Student Application for Admission.