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General Information About the Light Fellowship |
1. What are my chances of winning a Light Fellowship? How many students apply each year? How many win? |
The Light Fellowship awarded 140 students in the 2008-2009 academic year competitions, but that number is subject to fluctuation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for other fellowships/funding sources for which they are eligible (e.g. Fulbright Fellowships, Parker Huang Fellowships, etc.).
A list of Yale-administered fellowships can be found on the Student Grants Database and the E-Assisted Planning tool also offers more options (see "Step 7").
NOTE: Applying to other funding sources will NOT impact students' applications for a Light Fellowship. |
2. Do the odds of winning a Light Fellowship increase (or decrease) if I choose to study abroad for longer periods of time? |
While longer immersion abroad is preferable to shorter stays in most respects, we discourage students from applying for longer than a summer before the timing is right to do so.
Graduating students (seniors and graduate students), however, must have compelling reasons why they would not apply for a period of at least an academic year.
If you are not sure about which term or terms to apply for, you should schedule an appointment to discuss your situation.
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Light Fellowship Funding |
1. Will the Light Fellowship support (fund) direct enrollment at a university in East Asia? How about a spring break project? |
No. The Light Fellowship only supports study at Light-approved language programs in East Asia. |
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2. Does the Light Fellowship award apply to the Peking University - Yale University Joint Undergraduate Program? |
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No. The Peking University - Yale University Joint Undergraduate Program is not a language program. However, Yale undergraduates can study at the Peking University - Yale University program with full financial aid transfer and earn full Yale credit. |
3. Are there other funding options for study in East Asia in case I do not win a Light Fellowship? |
Yes! There are dozens of Yale and national fellowships and grants available to undergraduate and graduate students. Many are geared specifically toward study or research in East Asia. Some places to start your search include:
E-Assisted Planning: East Asia
The Office of Fellowship Programs Web site
The Student Grants Database
The MacMillan Center
The International Summer Award (for undergraduates receiving term-time financial aid)
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Credits and Grades |
1. Can I get credit for summer course work I do on a Light Fellowship? How? |
Yes. To receive credit for SUMMER studies you must first apply to the Summer Abroad Program through CIE BEFORE beginning your program. Credit is not automatically approved, but most fellows returning from Light-approved summer programs receive two credits. Grades will not appear on the transcript.
To receive credit for fall, spring, or academic year study, you must also apply for credit BEFORE beginning your program through Study Abroad at CIE. |
2. What do I need to do if I want to do a Term Abroad (Sophomore Spring, Junior Term, or Junior Year)? |
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Check out the Study Abroad Web site, and then schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser by calling (203) 432-8684. |
3. Can I get credit for studying overseas twice (i.e., for a summer and then a term/year abroad)? |
Yes and no. You can bring back credit from outside Yale for both one summer (2 credits) and one term (4 credits; fall or spring), for a total of 6 outside credits. You cannot combine credit from a summer and a year abroad. If you get transfer credit from a junior year abroad (9 credits) you will forgo the previously earned 2 summer credits. |
4. Will I get a grade at the program? If so, will it appear on my transcript? |
The majority of Light-approved programs give grades, but they will not appear on your Yale transcript. If you get transfer credit from your program, the course name and number and a mark of "CR" will appear on your Yale transcript, but will not affect your GPA or graduation honors. |
5. Does it matter what grades I earn while studying on a Light Fellowship? |
Yes. Students who want to transfer credit from time abroad must earn grades of at least C. Additionally, we will be receiving an official copy of your transcript from while you are abroad, as will your Residential College Dean, and weak grades may reflect poorly on your ability to handle an intensive language program and/or to live overseas. If you decide to apply for another Light, your grades at previously attended language programs will affect your application. Moreover, future employers and graduate schools sometimes want to see these grades. |
6. How do credits I receive from my program abroad affect my GPA and chances for graduation honors? |
These credits are listed on your transcript with grades of "CR" (Credit) and are not counted toward your GPA. These credits are also not part of the calculation for graduation honors or distinction in the major. They are not considered "non-A" grades like the Cr/D/Fail option in Yale classes. The same goes for Phi Beta Kappa - you are considered based solely on grades earned at Yale, or at Yale programs like Summer Session, Yale-in-London, or the Yale-PKU program. However, some Residential College honors may factor in grades earned abroad.
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Eligibility |
1. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I might be considered fluent by some definitions? |
You may not apply for a Light Fellowship to study a language in which you are already fluent. The Light Fellowship's judgment of fluency is being able to listen to the evening news in that language and understand every word and also being able to read a newspaper in that language and fully comprehend the content. However, even if you are not considered fluent by our standards, there must still be a Light-approved program that would allow your language skills to significantly improve. |
2. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I am not currently taking a language class?
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You may apply, but you must have studied one full year of the target language at Yale or at an equivalent program by the time you embark on your studies abroad. Contact the appropriate language director regarding completing your Light Fellowship Language Evaluation. |
3. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I have not taken any course at Yale in the target language, but I have outside experience? |
You must have studied one full year of the target language at an equivalent program by the time you embark on your studies abroad. You will need to meet with the Language Director to determine if you have the Yale equivalent of at least one year of language study. The Language Director will instruct you about what to do for the language evaluation. |
4. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I am currently overseas? |
That's fine. However, you must still meet all deadlines. You should start an application in your MyCIE account as soon as possible because we send occasional updates to registrants. Please tell us about your situation, and send all email correspondence to light.fellowship@yale.edu. We will waive the information meeting attendance requirement for you. |
5. Is a minimum GPA required in order to apply for the Light Fellowship? |
No. However, you will need to address poor grades in your personal statement. While the Light Fellowship is not GPA-focused, lapses in your academic record will raise questions about your commitment to handling intense study...which these language programs abroad certainly offer!
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Applying to Program Sites Abroad |
1. How many language program applications should I complete? |
You should apply to at least two, so that you have a backup in case your first choice falls through. Students studying Chinese should apply to (at least) three summer programs. |
2. Could you give me advice about X, on the program application? |
Unfortunately, we are not in a position to give advice on program applications. We encourage you to contact the program's administrative staff. Also, we can give the names of current or prior Light Fellows who can share their experiences. |
3. How do I know what program is best for me? |
Start by exploring the programs' Web sites to see if you are eligible to apply. Narrow your choices by reading former Fellows' student blogs and program reports, and the Yale Language Directors' opinions. If you are still unsure after taking these steps, you should meet with us. We can also put you in contact with former Light Fellows who have completed the programs. |
4. What are my chances of gaining admission into a Light Fellowship-approved program? |
It's different for each language. Almost all Light Fellows obtain admission at a Light-approved program. However, we have had students who did not get into a Chinese summer program. You will want to make sure that your program application is as strong as possible and that you take advantage of the rolling admissions process. |
5. I found out that I am on the program's waiting list. Would the Light Fellowship office be able to help me with this in any way? |
We cannot intervene in a program's decision to admit or reject an applicant. If they have follow-up questions, or if there is some problem regarding your ability to pay, they can contact our office. |
6. If I win a Light Fellowship, will the language programs take that into consideration regarding admissions? |
No. Unless a program contacts our office with follow-up questions relevant to your application, we will not intercede on an individual applicant's behalf. To offer or deny you a spot in their program is their right and responsibility. |
Applying to the Light Fellowship |
1. Do international students have additional application requirements? |
There are no additional application requirements for the Light Fellowship application, but you should meet with Yale's International Tax Office. Please ensure that you will be able to obtain a visa for entry to China, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan and that the programs to which you apply have no extra requirements for non-US students. |
2. Do I need to attend an information meeting even if I won a previous Light Fellowship? |
Yes! Every year, our procedures and timeline change a little, so it's important that you are aware of such changes. |
3. Can you review my Light Fellowship written proposal before I submit it? |
No. We will not review personal statements, but you may be able to receive some assistance from the Writing Center. |
4. What should I write in my personal statement? |
Please see our post on completing the Personal Statement. |
5. What should I include in my resume? |
Please see our post on writing a Resume. |
6. Is it possible to apply for a summer + fall or summer + year combination? |
Yes. It's encouraged! Many choose to do one program for the summer and another in the fall term. Students who wish to apply for a spring + summer must apply for the Light twice - in the Early Fall Competition for spring study and again in the Late Fall Competition for summer study. However, summer + fall applicants can apply for both terms during the Late Fall Competition. |
7. If I apply for summer and fall and am granted both terms, would I be allowed to only accept one part of my fellowship?
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No. Your application is evaluated taking timing and length of study into consideration. |
8. Is it possible to submit the Light Fellowship application by the deadline without acceptance into a program?
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Yes. In fact, students will most likely not have heard back from programs by our application deadline. |
9. Do I need to submit an official transcript with my Light Fellowship application?
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Please see our section on Transcripts. |
10. Do I need to submit non-Yale transcripts?
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Please see our section on Transcripts. |
11. Do I need an appointment to submit my application?
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No. Just bring it to Office of Fellowship Programs (OFP), 55 Whitney, Rm. 316. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early in order to have time to catch and correct any mistakes.
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12. Should I inform the Light Fellowship if I decide to withdraw my application?
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Yes! Please email light.fellowship@yale.edu if you are withdrawing your application at any point in the process. |
13. When will the Light Fellowship announce results? |
We will announce results of the Early Fall Competition in late October and results of the Late Fall Competition in late February. Winners will have one week to accept or decline the award.
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Letter of Recommendation and Language Evaluation |
1. Who should write my letter of recommendation for the Light Fellowship application? Is it better to get a non-language professor to write the Light Fellowship letter of recommendation? Can I ask my college master for my recommendation? Can I ask my language instructor even if she was my language instructor from last year?
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Please see our section on Letters of Recommendation. |
2. Should my letter of recommendation be tailored to a particular program?
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For the Light Fellowship application, your recommendation letter should address your fit for the Light Fellowship specifically: you generally as a student and, ideally, on the proposal in the context of your academic major and career interest (e.g. your demonstrated commitment to language study, your preparedness for a program, appropriateness of the timing of the program to your academic and career plan, your commitment to East Asian language study in the long term and intention to use your language ability as much as possible in the pursuit of academic and professional career goals). |
3. Can I submit a second letter of recommendation?
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Graduate and professional students must submit two recommendation letters. Undergraduates who have studied for less than one year at Yale (freshmen and transfer students) may submit a second letter from outside Yale. Other students may not submit more than one recommendation letter. |
4. Have you received my letter of recommendation? How about my language evaluation?
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You can track the status of your application materials in your MyCIE account. The program office will check off each item as it is completed or received. An email is automatically generated to inform you every time there is a change to your application. |
5. My recommender still hasn't turned in the letter for me, and has not responded to my emails and phone calls. What should I do? (Is it okay if the letter is late? Should I find a new recommender?)
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If you are still facing this problem a couple of days before the deadline, then you should remind your recommender that your application will be disqualified without the letter. Moreover, you may want to scramble to find a new recommender in case your original writer has become unable to complete your letter by the deadline.
The Light Fellowship office urges you to tell us about such problems. |
6. Should I write a thank you note to my recommender?
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Yes! (You should write a note even if you don't win.) You may also want to write a note upon your return to give an update on your plans and experiences. Consider that this person may be a useful resource for future recommendation letters. Snail mail cards and letters are nicer than emails. Back to top |
