Yale.

A Guide for Transfers, Veterans, and Nontraditional Students

A

“Yale College is committed
to increasing access for U.S.
military veterans, students
from community colleges,
and adult learners. Our
transfer and nontraditional
students come from every
background and walk of life,
and they are an essential part
of our vibrant and diverse
learning community.”
Pericles Lewis
Dean of Yale College
One Yale. Many Pathways.
All Yale undergraduates enroll in the same college, but they take many
different pathways. There is no typical Yale College student and no
specific set of expectations for anyone seeking to enroll. Academically
engaged individuals who are considering the next step in their college
education should consider Yale, no matter their pathway to applying.
Yale seeks students of Yale’s admissions process is holistic.
all backgrounds.
A team of dedicated admissions officers
Yale’s undergraduate community reviews every application through a holistic
includes students from around the world evaluation process designed to highlight
with an astonishing range of identities, each applicant’s unique story, ambitions,
beliefs, aspirations, and socioeconomic and values. The application empowers
backgrounds. Students arrive at Yale from students to share a comprehensive
two-year colleges, from the U.S. military, picture of their academic and personal
and after long professional careers. Some accomplishments, their lived experiences,
are raising children; some are running and the positive impact they have had on
their own businesses. All of them become others. No student is admitted according
members of a supportive community to a formula.
that is strengthened by its diversity.

Yale is affordable for everyone.

Yale supports students’ goals.
With over 80 majors and hundreds of
dedicated academic and professional advis-
ers, Yale prepares its graduates to become
leaders in any career anywhere in the world.
Students receive support from mentors
before they arrive on campus until long after
graduating. Yale is committed to seeing all
students succeed in their classes, extracur-
ricular pursuits, and postgraduate plans.
For most American families, attending
Yale is more affordable than attending
an in-state public school. Yale’s financial
aid awards meet 100% of every student’s
financial need and cover the full cost of
attendance without requiring loans. All aid
is awarded on the basis of need and in the
form of scholarship grants. Yale’s policies
apply to all undergraduates, regardless
of citizenship.

50% 98% 122

of recent transfer and Yale College colleges attended
Eli Whitney students previously graduation by recent transfer and
attended a two-year college rate Eli Whitney students
 Affordable. For everyone.
Yale’s financial aid awards meet
the full need of all students­— $60,820 88%
average Yale of the Class of 2021
without loans. need-based scholarship graduated with zero
in 2021–2022 loan debt
• Yale’s need-blind admissions policies ensure that
a student’s ability to pay is never a factor in the
selection process. An applicant’s financial aid status
has no impact on the admissions decision.
I am on full financial
aid, so I pay nothing
$218 million
• Yale’s need-based financial aid meets 100% of to attend Yale. estimated annual Yale College financial aid budget
every student’s demonstrated financial need with Rachel Merrill
scholarship grants. (she/her)
• All financial aid awards are calculated to cover the
full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing,
Yale College ’24
Major: Math 100% 64%
meals, travel, and personal expenses. financial need met with a of undergraduates
Yale financial aid award that receive financial
• Yale subsidizes childcare costs for students with
does not include loans assistance
children receiving need-based financial aid.

Yale offered me an
extremely generous
financial aid package.
Because of that, I was
able to save my G.I.
Bill benefits so that I
can use them for a
graduate program.
Alec Buffi
(he/him)
Yale College ’24
Air Force veteran
Major: Computer Science

James Glatt (he/him), father of Lily, is a Navy veteran

who entered Yale as a first-year Eli Whitney student.

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Learning at Yale. Majors in Yale College

African American Studies Ethnicity, Race, & Migration

Big ideas, global ventures, and
A Yale education exposes African Studies Film & Media Studies
life-changing lessons begin in small students to the frontiers American Studies French

spaces at Yale. All undergraduates of knowledge, challenges

Anthropology German Studies
Applied Mathematics Global Affairs
enroll in a single liberal arts college students to shift their
Applied Physics Greek, Ancient & Modern
assumptions, and gives
while immersed in one of the them tangible skills to
Archaeological Studies History
Architecture History of Art
world’s great research universities. emerge as leaders. What Art History of Science, Medicine,
makes it special is that while Astronomy & Public Health
Despite its immense scope, Yale maintains a the students will work Astrophysics Humanities
singular dedication to teaching and mentoring. incredibly hard and certainly Biology: Ecology & Italian Studies

All tenured faculty members in the arts and sciences run into speed bumps, we Evolutionary Judaic Studies
Biology: Molecular, Latin American Studies
teach undergraduate courses, and all students support students every step
Cellular, & Developmental Linguistics
work closely with faculty advisers. of the way.
Chemistry Mathematics
Zack Cooper Classical Civilization Mathematics & Philosophy
Yale’s expansive course offerings are just the Classics Mathematics & Physics
Associate Professor of Public
beginning. Hundreds of labs and research centers, Health and of Economics Cognitive Science Modern Middle East Studies
a major medical center, exceptional museum and Comparative Literature Molecular Biophysics &
library collections, and the resources of 14 graduate Computer Science Biochemistry
and professional schools provide opportunities for Computer Science & Music
undergraduates to work directly with leading scholars Economics Near Eastern Languages

and practitioners. Students pursue original research Computer Science & & Civilizations
Mathematics Neuroscience
with Yale faculty in every department and around
Computer Science & Philosophy
the world.
Psychology Physics
Computing & the Arts Physics & Geosciences
Computing & Linguistics Physics & Philosophy
Earth & Planetary Sciences Political Science

6,500 6:1 East Asian Languages &

undergraduate students
Literatures
East Asian Studies
Portuguese
Psychology
Religious Studies
student-to-faculty ratio Economics Russian
Economics & Mathematics Russian, East European,
Electrical Engineering & & Eurasian Studies

80+majors
2,000+
courses offered each year
Computer Science
Engineering: Biomedical,
Chemical, Electrical,
Sociology
South Asian Studies*
Spanish
Environmental, or Special Divisional Major
Mechanical Statistics & Data Science
Engineering Sciences: Theater & Performance

1,200+ 71% Chemical, Electrical,

Environmental, or
Studies
Urban Studies

science, math, and of courses enroll fewer Mechanical Women’s, Gender, &

engineering labs across than 20 students; English Sexuality Studies

the University 21% enroll fewer than 10 Environmental Studies

Ethics, Politics, & Economics *as a second major only

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First-Year, Transfer, and Eli Whitney Students.
Yale’s most valuable resource is
not its libraries or its laboratories,
but its student body—a community
with a remarkable range of
experiences and aspirations, talents
and abilities, backgrounds and
identities. Diversity is an essential
component of a Yale education.
First-year Admission
The vast majority of Yale’s students
enter as first-years. They hail from
all 50 states. 13% are international
students. 20% are Pell Grant
recipients. Most first-year students
come to Yale directly from high
school. If you are still in high
school and are taking college classes
concurrently, you would apply as
a first-year student, and would not
be considered a transfer student.
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Transfer Program
Yale enrolls a small number of transfer
students every fall. Students are eligible
Yale College offers three admissions programs
to apply as transfer applicants if they have
tailored to prospective students from different
the equivalent of between one and two
stages in their education and life experiences.
Regardless of their admissions pathways, all
years’ worth of full-time college credits.
The number of transfer students accepted
Yale College students have access to the same
from two-year colleges is increasing. Like
undergraduate courses, the same majors, and the
those who entered as first-years, transfer
same expansive range of research opportunities,
international experiences, and student activities.
students pursue their studies full time and
may live in undergraduate housing. They
All three programs lead to a Bachelor of Arts
are assigned Transfer Peer Advisers who
or Bachelor of Science Degree.
are transfer students themselves. Transfer
Yale
students contribute in meaningful ways
to Yale’s community, take advantage
of Yale’s resources, and bring different
perspectives to campus.
Eli Whitney
Students Program
The Eli Whitney Students Program is
designed specifically for nontraditional
students wishing to pursue a traditional
in-person Yale education. Individuals
who completed high school at least
five years ago and have not yet received
their bachelor’s degrees are eligible
to apply to the Eli Whitney Students
Program. The average age of Eli
Whitney students is 30, ranging from
mid-twenties to early sixties. They
include veterans, artists, community
activists, parents, and entrepreneurs.
This is a more flexible pathway, allow-
ing adult learners to take classes full
or part time. Their Yale advisers have
experience guiding adult students who
may have different needs from other
undergraduates. Eli Whitney students
live off-campus or in graduate housing.
 Veterans Community at Yale.
The United States Military and
Yale have had close ties since the
Revolutionary War. Yale welcomes
inquiries and applications from
veterans and is committed to
increasing the number of student
veterans on campus.
• Application fees are automatically waived for candi-
dates serving or who have served in the U.S. military.
• Veterans of the U.S. military may choose to use their
military education benefits, including their Post-9/11
G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits, or apply for
Yale’s generous need-based financial aid.
• The Yale Undergraduate Veterans Society fosters
community among our student veterans.
• Yale was an inaugural member of Service to School’s
Vetlink program. Service to School offers free college
search advice to veterans.
• The Warrior Scholar Project is a nonprofit
organization that was started by Yale students
over a decade ago and has now expanded to over
20 college campuses. It provides free academic
bootcamps to prepare veterans for college.
James Glatt Navy veteran and Yale College Class of ’25
8 9
Hillary Browning
(she/her)
Entered Yale: as an Eli Whitney student
Major: Political Science, Yale College ’20
Previous College: Central Texas College,
Killeen, TX
High School: New Braunfels High School,
New Braunfels, TX
Professional Experience: Navy Journalist
and Service to School Program Associate
I joined the Navy upon graduation
from high school in part to prove
to my family that I am military
material. I had always wanted to
attend college but had no desire
to go into debt to afford higher
education. I served on the USS
Eisenhower and had deployments
to Japan and Afghanistan. When
my daughter Lily was born, I took
advantage of the option for Eli
Whitney students to take classes
on a part time basis. I graduated
from Yale College in 2020 and
worked for Service to School
while raising my two young
daughters. I am now attending
Yale Law School.
Fun Fact: Married to James Glatt,
an Eli Whitney student. We will
both be graduating from Yale in
2025: James from Yale College
and I from Yale Law School.
Living in New Haven.
New Haven is large enough to Students entering Yale as first-year or transfer
have a lively city atmosphere and students typically live on campus in one of 14
residential colleges. The Head of College, Dean
small enough that students can and other Resident Fellows form an integrated
make personal connections with system for advising and support within the
their new home. residential college community. They host activities,
speakers and events for students in their colleges.
Lovingly known by locals as the “Greatest Small
City in America,” New Haven offers acclaimed Eli Whitney students live off campus, often within
museums, restaurants, theaters, and concert walking distance of their classes. Eli Whitney
venues immediately surrounding campus. The students rent their own apartments or share with
city is best explored on foot or bicycle. Scenic Yale students. They may also apply for graduate
beaches, hiking trails, and historic landmarks are housing. Though Eli Whitney students do not live
all within city limits. With both New York City in the residential colleges, they are each affiliated
and Boston within easy reach, New Haven with a residential college and may participate
combines a superb college town experience with in college activities. Eli Whitney students are
immediate access to the unrivaled opportunities supported by the residential college advising
of the northeast corridor. system and college resources.
New Haven has the best
of a city and a small town.
The way Yale’s campus is
interlaced with the city
creates magical moments
for me throughout
the year.
Timothy Bang (he/him)
Yale College ’24 and
Air Force veteran
Major: Computer Science
“How I got to Yale.”
As a first-year student:
Chance Flanigen
(he/him)
Intended major: English
Professional Experience: Corporal in
the United States Marine Corps
I joined the Marine Corps the
summer after graduating high
school and served four years as
a Special Operations Capability
Specialist (SOCS) in the Marine
Raider community. The military
provided me with an exceptional
foundation to pursue academia,
and I realized transitioning to life
as a student would provide a chal-
lenge comparable to the military.
While on active duty, Service to
School advised me on my college
search, and I participated in the
Warrior-Scholar Project. Through
the vast network of veterans in
academia, I was able to realize
my potential in the classroom,
and I decided Yale closely aligned
with my interests and goals. The
Yale community offers a unique
academic and social experience.
I entered Yale as a first-year
student and plan on exploring the
humanities and social sciences.
Fun Fact:
In my free time, I enjoy surfing and
mountain biking.
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As a transfer student:
Akua Aduse-Poku
Agyemang (she/her)
Major: Molecular Biophysics &
Biochemistry and History of Science,
Medicine & Public Health
Previous College: Lorain County
Community College, Elyria, OH
Extracurricular Experience: Phi Theta
Kappa Phi Pi Chapter President;
Microbiology HIV research group;
paid pharmacy technician; Coca-Cola
Academic Team Gold Scholar
Though universities within
Ohio readily accept transfer
students, I have found that
many of these institutions fall
short of my expectations for
higher education. A proper,
life-changing education expands
beyond the classroom; it
encompasses not only the passion
for academic excellence, but also
balances such endeavors with the
social and emotional evolution
and maturation of a student.
This is why I am drawn to Yale.
Yale is an institution that is not
only dedicated to providing its
students a world-class education
and challenging them to become
better thinkers, but also values
the strength in diversity.
Akua serves as a
Fun Fact:
Head Transfer Peer Adviser.
Outcomes: Post-Yale Destinations.
As an Eli Whitney student: Yale inspires the students who Top employers of
recent graduates
inspire the world. Yale graduates are include:
equipped with the critical thinking, • Goldman Sachs Group
problem solving, and communication • Bain & Company
• Meta Platforms, Inc.
skills necessary to thrive in a position • Bank of America
of leadership in any field and career Merrill Lynch
• Boston Consulting Group
anywhere in the world. • JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Rudy Cordero • McKinsey & Company
(he/him) • 97% of the most recent graduating class were • McMaster-Carr
Major: Computer Science employed or in graduate school within six months • Morgan Stanley
Previous College: Harold of graduation. • Citadel
Washington College, Chicago, IL • Credit Suisse Group
• Nearly three quarters of all Yale College students
• Barclays PLC
Professional Experience: attend graduate or professional school within five
• Citigroup, Inc
Operations and Logistics Manager
years of graduating. • Epic Systems Corporation
I attended college right out • The top five industries for Yale College • Blackstone Group
of high school, but family graduates were financial services, education, • Clarion Healthcare
responsibilities forced me to technology, consulting, and healthcare. Consulting
leave early. After working in • Google LLC
• Microsoft Corporation
project management for 7 years,
I enrolled at a local two-year
college part time before joining
the Yale community. Among
other social groups, I serve as Top 10 Industries of Recent Graduates
co-President of Yale’s Eli Whitney
•
I am determined to
Students Society, a fellow for Finance
make the most of the
•
Yale’s Effective Altruism Society,
Education remainder of my under-
and as a coach for ONEXYS,
•
16% 19%
graduate education and
Yale’s summer math program for Technology &
hope to emerge as an
incoming students. My goal is Engineering
astute Yale graduate
•
3%
to be a more conscious member
3% Consulting equipped with the
•
of society and someone who is
3% knowledge and drive to
socially and environmentally Healthcare
make a positive impact
•
4% 17%
aware. I want to use Yale’s
Law on the community and
•
resources to positively impact
8% world around me.
my local community, the nation Social Services
•
Akua Aduse-Poku
and people on a global scale. Government
13% 14% Agyemang
•
Fun Fact: I was born in Taxco,
Media
Transfer student from
•
Guerrero—a small mountain town Lorain County
near Mexico City. All Others Community College
Combined
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Applying to Yale. Frequently Asked Questions.
Prospective students may apply up to two years’ worth of completed undergraduate What are the application financial aid or use their
coursework and may enroll part-time or full-time. deadlines? Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and
through the First-Year, Transfer, or Yellow Ribbon benefits.
The application deadline
Eli Whitney Students Program. What Yale Looks For for the transfer program
Is financial aid available
U.S. military veterans are eligible to apply through All applications are reviewed and decisions are and the Eli Whitney
Students Program is for international students
any admissions program. Many veterans find that the made by an Admissions Committee composed of
March 1. For first-year and students who are
Eli Whitney Students Program is the best fit because admissions officers, faculty, and college leaders.
admission, the Single- undocumented or have
it is designed for adult students. All U.S. military Academic strength is the Committee’s first received Deferred Action
Choice Early Action
veterans receive an automatic application fee waiver consideration, but no one thing alone determines for Childhood Arrivals
deadline is November 1,
when applying to Yale College. who is admitted. All pieces of the application and the Regular Decision (DACA) status?

The first-year application is for current high work together to showcase each student’s mix deadline is January 2. Yes. Regardless of
of qualities and character. citizenship or immigra-
school students or recent graduates who have not
Is there a separate tion status, Yale’s financial
completed the equivalent of at least one year of full- When reviewing transcripts, the Committee puts aid packages meet 100% for the Eli Whitney not able to prepare
application process
time undergraduate coursework. Students admitted more weight on an applicant’s recent academic for veterans? of demonstrated financial Students Program. Even preliminary credit
through the first-year program enroll full-time and record and leadership experience in the workforce, need without loans. though you have been evaluations for
No. Veterans and
complete their bachelor’s degree in four years. community, and military. While many Yale military service members away from school, we prospective students
complete the same Is there a minimum expect to see completed or applicants. A
The transfer application is for current or recent students demonstrated consistently strong academic
application as all other GPA requirement? pieces of your application transfer credit report
college students who will have completed the performance, many successful transfer and Eli
applicants, either the No. Yale does not have a required of all applicants will be provided to all
equivalent of one or two years of full-time under- Whitney students also had weaker profiles early
Common Application minimum required GPA, including transcripts admitted transfer and
graduate coursework before enrolling at Yale. in their academic career before earning stronger and evaluations from Eli Whitney students at
or the Coalition but admission to Yale is
Students admitted through the transfer program grades more recently. professors or supplemen- the time of admission.
Application. extremely selective. The
enroll full-time and complete their bachelor’s admissions committee tal recommenders.
In selecting applicants, the Committee aims
Do you offer an expects applicants to Can I apply to Yale
degree in two or three years at Yale. to gather a variety of unique and promising
application fee waiver? present strong recent Do you accept to pursue a second
The Eli Whitney Students Program (EWSP) is for individuals to form a supportive community that students from bachelor’s degree?
Yes. Yale will waive the academic credentials.
individuals who have been out of high school for five is strengthened by its diversity. Yale is especially community colleges?
application fee if it would No. Yale does not award
or more years and do not hold a bachelor’s degree. interested in candidates who have had a positive and How do I indicate an Yes. Yale admits many second bachelor’s degrees,
constitute a significant
Students admitted through the EWSP may transfer lasting impact on others and who will enrich their financial burden for the interest in a particular students who have even for those students
communities in college and beyond. Two questions applicant. As part of our major when I apply? attended or graduated wishing to pursue a
guide the Committee: Who is likely to make the commitment to assisting Choose your intended from community colleges. different field of study
most of Yale’s resources? And who will contribute veterans, Yale automati- major based on your from their current degree.
cally grants requests from academic interests with Is there a minimum
most significantly to the Yale community?
number of semesters
“We emphasize to all prospective and members of the U.S. the peace of mind I applied to Yale
Armed Forces and knowing that you will that I must complete before and was not
current students that the mission at Yale to graduate?
veterans. have time to explore offered admission
of the Office of Undergraduate Learn more at admissions.yale.edu:
majors and finalize your Yes. Transfer students or did not decide to
Admissions and Financial Aid is to • Detailed application instructions, deadlines, and Does Yale participate choice after you enroll. must complete an attend. Do I need
ensure that cost is never a barrier eligibility requirements for each admissions program in the Yellow Ribbon equivalent of two years to submit a new
Program for military I have not taken of college credit at Yale. application?
between any undergraduate student • Helpful advice for putting together a compelling application
veterans? classes in a long time, Yes. Students applying
and their education.” • Insights from admissions officers on the can I still apply to Yale? Can I request a
Yes. A Yale education to Yale must submit
Jeremiah Quinlan selection committee process – Check out is especially affordable Yes. Most students who preliminary credit a new application.
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Aid Inside the Yale Admissions Podcast – Episode 16: for veterans who may apply after an extended evaluation? Students may apply to
Transfer and Nontraditional Students. choose to apply for Yale’s break from conventional No. Given the volume Yale College no more
generous need-based education are a good fit of applications, Yale is than three times.

12
 admissions.yale.edu
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Yale University
38 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511