Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Yale admits about 1 in 26 applicants (3.9%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 100% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (4.5% and 3.4%).
$80 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
70% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Wait list: 944 offered a place, 738 accepted, 32 admitted (4.3% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Restrictive early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Restrictive early action: applicants agree not to apply to other colleges' early plans, with exceptions the college sets.
Where you stand
How Yale reads a record
, GPA, and class rank are all very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 67% of first-years sent an SAT and 25% an ACT. Of the 31% whose high school reported a rank, 97% were in the top tenth.
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
2.6% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 3.9% of first-year applicants
1,747 applied · 45 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by May 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 2 for fall 2026.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 YEAR.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
97% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 99% in the top quarter, of the 31% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Yale University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1520 on the SAT, 350 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (91%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (91%) scored 700 or higher.
90% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
Shares of the 67% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
At least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Yale University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Yale University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Yale University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)