Application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Yale University is an online process. An application must be submitted by the deadline date of the program of study you wish to pursue. Detailed instructions are contained within the online application. Although you will be guided through each step in completing the application form you should understand the following:
Department or Program. Application may be made to only one department or program at the Graduate School per term unless specified as one of the three combined degree programs (African American Studies, Film Studies, and Renaissance Studies) which must be combined with another program or a department or program which may be combined. Please review the department and program descriptions for any special admissions requirements prior to submitting your application.
Degree. The Graduate School confers the terminal degrees of Ph.D., M.S.and M.A. The Division of Special Registration (DSR) is available for those who wish to pursue specialized study at Yale without pursuing a degree. The Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences also offers several joint degree programs with the professional schools at Yale. If applying jointly to the Graduate School and one of the professional schools, you must submit an application to both using the application process designated for each school. Holders of American Ph.D or Sc.D degrees, or their foreign equivalents, are not eligible for admission to the Graduate School in the field in which they have already earned a degree.
Personal Statement of Purpose. A 500-1000 word statement concerning your past work, preparation for the intended field of study, relevant background and interests, academic plans, and career objectives is required. It should be used to describe your reasons for applying to the particular Yale department or program. This statement may assist the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
Letters of Recommendation. Three letters of recommendation are required from individuals who can evaluate your academic work, intellectual ability, and/or academic potential for graduate work. At least one recommendation should originate from a faculty member of the last institution you attended as a full-time student. You may submit more than three letters of recommendation.
Transcript(s)/Academic Records. A transcript/academic record from each college or university attended should be uploaded as part of your online application.
If you are offered admission and accept that offer, an "official" or " final official" transcript showing coursework taken or the award of the baccalaureate (and other degrees) is required prior to matriculation. This/these transcript/s must be received by us directly from the institutions attended.
Applicants who have attended international institutions where transcripts/academic records are in a language other than English, must submit those transcripts with certified English translations.
Standardized Examinations. Official scores must be submitted for all required standardized examinations prior to the deadline for the program to which you are applying. Arrange for the appropriate testing agency to report your scores directly to Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Codes and other testing agency information can be found in the procedures section below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register early in scheduling tests.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE General Test is required of all applicants. In addition, several departments and programs require particular GRE Subject Test scores. Please refer to the relevant department or program’s special admissions requirements to determine whether Subject Test scores are necessary.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. This requirement is waived only for applicants who will have received a baccalaureate degree, or its foreign equivalent, prior to matriculation at Yale, from a college or university where English is the primary language.
International English Language Test System (IELTS). The IELTS may be substituted for the requirement to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Spoken English (TSE).
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Some programs of the Graudate School may require the GMAT. Such requirements will be listed in the Program description under Special Admissions Requirements.
Special Admissions Requirements. Many departments and programs have special admissions requirements, many require the identification of a concentration or sub field of study and several encourage interviews. Please review the Graduate Degree Programs to determine special admissions requirements such as a particular standardized subject test, writing sample, or language requirement.
Application Fee
The application fee for Fall 2010 is $95.
Applications will be considered only when payment is received. Credit card (Visa or MasterCard) payment from within the online application is the only method of payment.
(Fee Waiver) Except as noted in the Fee Waiver Eligibility and Instructions page all applicants must submit payment with their application. With proof of significant financial hardship, U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Resident Visa Holders (with alien registration numbers) and certain applicants participating in or the recipients of identified programs may be eligible for a waiver or a refund of the application fee. If you believe you may be eligible for a fee waiver, please click here for further information. Non-U.S. citizens are not eligible for waiver or refund of the application fee.
All Ph.D. applications are automatically considered for financial assistance and should not provide the Financial Statement. Most students in the terminal master’s programs and in the Division of Special Registration are self-supported. All applicants to these programs (except those selecting the Urban Education Studies program) must submit the financial statement, whether or not financial aid is requested.