| Application
Policies and Procedures
The following information is being updated for the Fall 2009 application
season. Since information can change you are urged to return frequently
to these policies and procedures. There are two parts to this section
– the first covers policy items of the Graduate School as
they relate to the admissions/application process. The second part
provides specific details regarding these policy items. You are
urged to read both parts carefully as well as the instructions found
within the online application.
Part I: Policies
- Application
- Reapplication
- Readmission
- Deferred Admission
- Notification of Decisions
- Responding to Offers
- Verification of Credentials
- Bachelor's Degree Confirmation
- Return of Application Materials
Part II: Procedures
- Application
- Reapplication
- Readmission
- Deferred Admission
- Notification of Decisions
- Responding to Offers
- Verification of Credentials
- Bachelor's Degree Confirmation
Part
I: Policies
1. Application
(first time applicants)
(also read the Procedures on application)
A complete application is comprised of the following:
a. Application
b. Credentials/Supplemental Materials
c. Application fee
d. Financial Statement (MA/MS applicants
only)
e. Summary of Science grades (BBS &
Chemistry applicants only)
a. Application
Application to the Graduate School of Arts &
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:
1. 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) currently available. Please
review the department
and program descriptions for any special admissions requirements
prior to submitting your application.
2. 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.
b. Credentials/Supplemental
Materials
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.
Official Transcript(s)
An official transcript from each college or
university attended must be submitted. Official transcripts
bearing the institution's seal and an appropriate signature
should be sent by your institution to the Office of Graduate
Admissions (the only exception to this policy are those transcripts
in a language other than English which must be translated).
An official transcript showing the award of the baccalaureate
degree is required prior to matriculation. Applicants who have
attended international institutions must submit transcripts
or certified attestations of study, 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 degree, prior to
matriculation at Yale, from a college or university where English
is the primary language.
Test of Spoken English (TSE).
All applicants who accept offers of admission to Ph.D. programs
and whose native language is not English are strongly encouraged
to present TSE scores by the time of enrollment in the fall.
Students who do not demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English
may be retested and/or asked to take English courses. A high
level of proficiency is required for students to serve as teaching
fellows.
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 Progams to determine special admissions
requirements such as a particular standardized subject test,
writing sample, or language requirement.
c. Application
Fee
The application fee for Fall 2008 was $85. The
fee for Fall 2009 has not been determined.
Applications will be considered only when payment
is received. Credit card payment from within the online application
is the preferred method of payment (MasterCard and Visa only).
Credit card debit authorizations are not acceptable. Wire transfers
can not be accepted under any circumstances.
(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.
d. Financial Statement,
when applicable
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.
e. Summary of Science
Grades, when applicable
Applicants to the Chemistry or the Combined
Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) are required
to submit the Summary of Science Grades Form listing all biology,
chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses taken.
2. Reapplication
(also read the Procedures on reapplication)
Previous applicants to the Graduate School and
applicants who declined a previous offer of admission must submit
a new application. The application fee is required. Applicants,
who have been denied admission three times by the Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences, whether by one or more departments, may not
file further applications.
3. Readmission
(also read the Procedures on readmission)
Applicants who previously attended the Graduate
School and seek readmission to the same department must submit a
new application, and, when appropriate, a financial statement. The
application fee is not required.
4. Deferred Admission
(also read the Procedures on deferred admission)
Requests for deferred admission will be considered
only after an offer of admission has been accepted. Request for
deferral must be submitted in writing to the respective associate
dean who will communicate with the Graduate School’s department
or program. An admissions deferral may be requested for either one
term or one academic year. Offers of financial aid cannot be deferred.
5. Notification of Decisions
(also read the Procedures on notification
of decisions)
Applicants are typically notified of decisions
regarding their applications during the months of February and March.
Official notification (via the Internet or mail) is sent from the
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences only.
6. Responding to offers
(also read the Procedures on responding
to offers)
Responses to offers of admission must be made
as indicated in the instructions contained in the “offer letter”
and submitted to the Office of Admissions. An applicant is free
to decline an offer of admission and financial aid from one institution
and accept an offer from another in writing on or before April 15.
An acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the
student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written
release from the institution to which a prior commitment has been
made. These requirements are consistent with the Council of Graduate
Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Students, Fellows, Trainees
and Assistants. http://www.cgsnet.org
7. Verification of Credentials
(also read the Procedures on the verification of
credentials)
It is the policy of the Graduate School to verify
all credentials in support of an application. All transcripts, recommendations,
publications, standardized test scores and supplemental materials
may be traced to their source in order to confirm their authenticity.
8. Bachelor's Degree
Confirmation
(also read the Procedures on Bachelor's
degree confirmation)
It is the policy of the Graduate School that matriculating
students present evidence of the award of the Baccalaureate Degree
prior to matriculation.
9. Return of
Application Materials
It is the policy of the Graduate School that supplement materials
sent in support of an application are not returned nor are they
forwarded on to a third party.
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Part
II: Procedures
1. Application (first
time applicants)
(also read the Policies on application)
The Graduate School at Yale utilizes an online
application which can be accessed at http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/admissions
when it is available. To insure full consideration, applications
must be submitted before the deadline of the program to which you
are applying. All supplemental materials not electronically attached
to your submitted application must be mailed in time to arrive at
the Office of Admissions prior to the deadline of the program to
which you are applying; please click
here for the deadline date of your designated program. Applications
should be submitted as early as possible. Once an application has
been submitted you can track the status of any materials being mailed
(such as transcripts or recommendations) on your behalf. You
will not be allowed to submit your application after the deadline
to your designated program has passed.
Credentials (supplemental materials)
Supplemental materials for ALL
programs are to be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Do not mail any supplemental materials to individual departments
or programs except as noted above. Click here
for mailing addresses.
Personal Statement of Purpose (required)
As a required part of the application a 500
to 1,000 word Personal Statement of Purpose should be prepared
in advance using a compupter software application. It must be attached (uploaded)
to your application at the time you submit it. Your statement
concerns your past work, preparation for the intended field
of study, relevant background and interests, academic plans,
and career. 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.
Faculty have requested that such statements
be limited to 500 to 1,000 words (no more than two pages). You
should NOT mail hard paper copies of your Personal Statement
of Purpose. This statement will automatically be received
and printed when you submit your online application.
Recommendations (required)
The Graduate School’s online application
allows you to have your recommendation providers submit their
recommendations electronically. You should check with your recommender
for agreement that they will supply an online recommendation
for you and obtain their institutional e-mail address. E-mail
addresses from domains other than ".edu" may be subject
to additional screening and filtering. Once entered in your
online application, an automatic e-mail will be sent to your
recommender. You should NOT mail hard paper copies of
recommendations submitted electronically (requested from within
the online application). These recommendations will
automatically be received and printed when you submit your online
application. If a recommender desires to submit via paper you
will need to print a Recommendation Form from within your on-line
application and mail it to your recommender.
Transcripts (required)
An official transcript from each college or
university attended must be provided. Official transcripts bearing
the institution's seal and an appropriate signature must be
sent by your institution to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
If you choose to send an “Issued to Student” transcript
you must ensure it remains in the institutions sealed envelope.
Applicants who have attended international institutions must
submit transcripts or certified attestations of study, with
certified English translations which requires that the transcript
envelope be opened. Once translated, the original transcript
and the certified translations are to be sent into the Office
of Graduate Admissions. College seniors should submit current
transcripts followed by a Fall Term Grade Report as soon as
possible. An official transcript showing the award of the baccalaureate
degree is required prior to matriculation.
A transcript is not required for Study Abroad
Programs if the coursework is referenced on a transcript of
another institution.
Standardized Examinations (Required
in most cases)
Please refer to the Policy on this topic above.You
must arrange for the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to release
GRE and TOEFL scores directly to Yale Graduate School of Arts
and Sciences, code 3987 either at the time of the examination
or via the ETS additional score reporting system. You
should not designate a Department – if required, use code
0000 for the GRE and 99 for the TOEFL. If you are submitting
GMAT scores you must contact Pearson
Vue to have those scores released to the Graduate School
(code 3JT-30-78) . Applicants are strongly
encouraged to register early in scheduling tests. For registration
forms, test dates, test centers and general information, contact
the following organizations.
The failure to properly release scores to
the Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is
one of the major causes of delays in the processing of applications.
The Graduate School does not receive nor accept paper copies
of score reports whether issued by ETS or received from the
student.
GRE scores are maintained in a temporary file
for two calendar years following the date they are released
to Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. If
you do not apply within that period of time you will need to
have your scores released again.
Scores released (sent) to other schools of
Yale University cannot be transferred to the Graduate School
of Arts and Science.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Please refer to the relevant department or
program’s special admissions requirements to determine
whether Subject Test scores are necessary.
Contact the following for test related questions:
GRE-ETS
PO Box 6000
Princeton NJ 08541-6000
Telephone: (609) 771-7670
www.gre.org
Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL)
If you are required to take the TOEFL you
must arrange for the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report
scores directly to Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences,
code 3987 either at the time of the examination or via the ETS
additional score reporting system. You should not designate
a Department – if required use code 00 or 99.
Contact the following for test related questions:
TOEFL/TSE Services-ETS
PO Box 6151
Princeton NJ 08541-6151
Telephone: (609) 771-7100
www.toefl.org
Test of Spoken English (TSE)
All applicants who accept offers of admission
to Ph.D. programs and whose native language is not English are
strongly encouraged to present TSE scores by the time of enrollment
in the fall. Students who do not demonstrate sufficient proficiency
in English may be retested and/or asked to take English courses.
A high level of proficiency is required for students to serve
as teaching fellows.
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). You must identify Yale University
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in order for your scores
to be received.
Refer to the following for test related questions:
International English Language Testing System
http://www.ielts.org
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. The GMAT is administered
by PearsonVue. Scores must be reported to code 3JT-30-78.
Paper score reports will not be accepted.
Refer to the following for test or score reporting
questions:
http://www.pearsonvue.com/contact/
Special Admissions Requirements (program
dependent)
Supplemental materials such as writing samples,
abstracts, etc. can be “attached” electronically
to your application and is the preferred method of submission.
Supplemental materials that cannot be attached to the online
application (such as books, manuscripts, compact discs or music
compositions) should be sent early enough to arrive before the
stated deadline of your designated program and for the receipt
of those materials to be recorded in your application record.
Please do not send copies of writing samples, abstracts,
etc., which you had attached (uploaded) to your online application.
These will be printed after you submit your application.
Ph.D. applicants who wish to submit a joint application must upload a joint statement. Applicants to those masters level programs which permit a joint application must also upload a joint statement.
Applicants have the option of submitting a resume with their application although some programs do require a resume.
Please review the Graduate Degree Programs for any special admissions requirements.
Application Fee (Required)
The application fee for Fall 2008 was $85. The
application fee for Fall 2009 has not been determined.
Applications will be considered only when payment
is received. Credit card payment from within the online application
is the preferred and most expeditious method of payment (MasterCard
and Visa only). Debit cards and credit card debit authorizations
are not acceptable. Wire transfers can not be accepted under any
circumstances. If you must pay by check, bank draft or money order,
select pay by check on the payment page of the online application
and print a “payment voucher. Your payment instrument must
be drawn on a financial institution with a banking relationship
with a U.S. bank and is to be made payable to Yale University
- your name must be included on the face of the payment instrument.
Please note that your application will not be processed
until your payment is received.
(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.
Resume (optional)
You may attach (upload) a copy
of your resume or curriculum vitae to your online application.
Please do not mail a hard copy of your resume or curriculum
vitae.
Diversity Statement (optional)
The Yale Graduate School is strongly
committed to attracting qualified students of diverse backgrounds
to its community of scholars. Applicants are invited , if they
wish, to include, with their application, a statement on how their
background and life experience would contribute to diversity within
the Graduate School community and to the School’s commitment
to training individuals in an increasingly diverse society. You
may attach (upload) a copy of your comment to your online application.
Please do not mail a hard copy of your statement.
Summary of Science Grades
(required for BBS and Chemistry)
A copy of the Fall Term Grade Report
can be found from within your online application via the blue
navigation bar or under Downloadable forms. This form should be
completed once you receive your fall term grades and submitted
to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Financial Statement (required
for all MS/MA applicants except those applying to the Urban Education
Studies Program)
A copy of the Financial Statement
can be found from within your online application via the blue
navigation bar under the Supplemental Forms heading. If you are
an MS/MA degree applicant you will be prompted for this form as
a final step in the submission of your application.
To insure that all credentials and
correspondence which are mailed/submitted separately from your application,
become part of the appropriate application file, each item should
clearly state the following: the applicant’s full name as
it appears on the application, the Yale department or program desired,
the applicant’s date of birth, and your online application
ID (available when you submit your application).
The online application is designed
to provide you the status of the receipt of supplemental materials.
You should log into and check the status of materials frequently
once you have submitted your application. Remember - you
cannot verify the status of receipt of separately mailed supplemental
materials (such as transcripts or letters of recommendation being
submitted “offline”) until you submit your application.
Because of the volume of applications
and the subsequent, rapid delivery to departmental admissions committees,
the Office of Graduate Admissions is unable to notify applicants
of missing credentials. Applicants are urged to check directly with
recommenders and academic institutions to confirm that credentials
have been mailed on time. Under no circumstances will applications
or supplemental materials submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions
be returned or forwarded to a third party. Application materials
submitted will be destroyed within two years of receipt or will
become part of the student’s permanent record.
2. Reapplication
(also read the Policies on reapplication)
Previous applicants to the Graduate
School and applicants who declined a previous offer of admission
must submit a new application indicating the year for which
their previous application was submitted (for example,
if you submitted your application in September, 2005 for the Fall
2006 entering class you should list 2006 in response to the “previously
applied to…” question in the online application.
Records of applicants who did not
enroll in the Graduate School are retained for two years by the
Office of Graduate Admissions and will be combined with new application
records. Be advised to submit transcripts depicting all academic
work not included in the previous application, one new recommendation,
a new personal statement of purpose, the application fee, and any
other credentials required to complete your application.
As noted above under Policies, applicants,
who have been denied admission three times by the Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences, whether by one or more departments, may not
file further applications.
3. Readmission
(also read the Policies on readmission)
Applicants who previously attended
the Graduate School and seek readmission to the same department
must submit a new application, and, when appropriate, a financial
statement. An application fee is not required. You need
to indicate that you were a previously enrolled student, the beginning
and ending year you were enrolled and the program in which you were
previously enrolled in response to the “previously
enrolled in…” questions in the online application.
Pertinent credentials submitted as
part of the original application are retained in the permanent student
record. Please submit official transcripts and recommendations attesting
to any academic work engaged subsequent to enrollment at the Graduate
School in addition to a new personal statement of purpose.
4. Deferred
Admission
(also read the Policies on deferred admission)
Requests for deferred admission will
be considered only after an offer of admission has been accepted.
Request for deferral must be submitted in writing to the respective
associate dean who will communicate the Graduate School’s
official department or program. An admissions deferral may be requested
for either one term or one academic year. Offers of financial aid
cannot be deferred. You will receive a letter confirming
your deferred admissions which will also contain a date by which
you must notify the Graduate School of your intention. It is your
responsibility to notify the Graduate School Office of Admissions
on or before that date that you will be attending.
5. Notification
of Decisions
(also read the Policies on the notification
of decisions)
Applicants are typically notified
of decisions regarding their applications during the month of March.
Official notification of decisions may be by e-mail, the Internet
(via your online application) or by first class mail. All such notifications
and decisions are sent only from the Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences.
6. Responding
to offers
(also read the Policies on responding to
offers)
Specific instructions regarding how
you should respond to offers of admission will be contained in an
“offer letter” which you will receive if you are accepted.
Such responses must always be submitted to the Office of Graduate
Admissions and not to the program you will be joining. As indicated
under Policies above, an applicant is free to decline an offer of
admission and financial aid from one institution and accept an offer
from another in writing on or before April 15. An acceptance given
or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept
another offer without first obtaining a written release from the
institution to which a prior commitment has been made. These requirements
are consistent with the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding
Graduate Students, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants. http://www.cgsnet.org
7. Verification
of Credentials
(also read the Policies on the verification
of credentials)
The Graduate School selects a random
sample of applications from each matriculating class for full credential
verification. All transcripts, recommendations, publications, standardized
test scores and supplemental materials may be traced to their source
in order to confirm their authenticity.
8. Bachelor's
Degree Confirmation
(also read the Policies on Bachelor's degree confirmation)
As indicated in Policies above, applicants
who accept an offer of admission to the Graduate School must provide
official documentation that a Bachelor’s degree or its international
equivalent has been awarded prior to matriculation at the Graduate
School. A final official transcript sent from the institution (except
as noted below) to the Office of Graduate Admissions showing that
the Bachelor’s degree was awarded and the date is all that
is normally required. All non-English records must be submitted
with literal and complete translations (these transcripts and their
English translations should be mailed by the translator or returned
to the applicant in a sealed and signed envelope. International
applicants should note that, if they are not able to provide such
documentation, they may not be permitted to register, and their
visa status may therefore be jeopardized.
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