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Yale University is an Ivy League research university with an acceptance rate of 6.1%. To apply, students can use theCommon Application, Coalition Application, or Questbridge Application. Yale has a single-choice early action plan that can improve admissions chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice. The acceptance rate tends to be well over twice as high for early action applicants as it is for the regular applicant pool. Applying early is one way that you can demonstrate your interest in the university. Yale also considers legacy status in the application review process.
Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Yale University admissions statistics you should know.
Why Yale University?
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut
- Campus Features: Yale's 260-acre historic main campus includes buildings dating back to 1750, stunning Gothic architecture, and the unique windowless Beinecke Library.
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1
- Athletics: The Yale Bulldogs compete at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the prestigious Ivy League.
- Highlights: Founded in 1701 and supported by a $30 billion endowment, Yale is one of the leading research universities in the world. Modeled after Oxford and Cambridge, Yale has a system of 14 residential colleges for undergraduates.
Acceptance Rate
During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Yale had an acceptance rate of 6.1%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 6 students were admitted, making Yale's admissions process highly competitive.
| Admissions Statistics (2018-19) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | 36,844 |
| Percent Admitted | 6.1% |
| Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) | 69% |
SAT Scores and Requirements
Yale requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 68% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.
| SAT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| ERW | 720 | 770 |
| Math | 740 | 800 |
This admissions data tells us that most of Yale's admitted students fall within the top 7% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Yale scored between 720 and 770, while 25% scored below 720 and 25% scored above 770. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 740 and 800, while 25% scored below 740 and 25% scored a perfect 800. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1570 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Yale.
Requirements
The SAT essay section is optional at Yale. However, if an applicant completes the optional essay section, they should self-report the score to Yale. Note that Yale participates in superscoring each individual section across all SAT test dates. SAT Subject tests are recommended, but not required. Applicants who choose to submit SAT Subject test scores may decide which scores to submit.
ACT Scores and Requirements
Yale requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 50% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.
| ACT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| English | 35 | 36 |
| Math | 31 | 35 |
| Composite | 33 | 35 |
This admissions data tells us that most of Yale's admitted students fall within the top 2% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Yale received a composite ACT score between 33 and 35, while 25% scored above 35 and 25% scored below 33.
Requirements
Note that Yale focuses on the highest ACT composite scores from all test dates while also considering individual ACT subscores. Yale does not require the ACT writing section; however, if an applicant takes the ACT with writing, they should self-report the writing subscore to Yale.
GPA
Yale University does not provide data about admitted students' high school GPAs. In 2019, 92% of admitted students who provided data indicated that they ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.
Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/yale-gpa-sat-act-5c37b03346e0fb0001ed0215.jpg "How Competitive Is Yale University's Admissions Process? (2)")
The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Yale University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.
Admissions Chances
Yale University has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, Yale has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside of Yale's range.
In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent students who were accepted to Yale. Most students had an SAT score (ERW+M) above 1300 and an ACT composite score above 28. Higher test scores will improve your chances measurably, and a combined SAT score above 1400 or an ACT composite score of 32 and above is common. Nearly all successful applicants had high school averages in the A range with GPAs between 3.7 to 4.0. No matter what your grades and standardized test scores are, you should consider Yale a reach school. Yale wants stellar students and those who have skills and talents that will enrich the campus community in meaningful ways.
All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Yale University Undergraduate Admissions Office.
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Grove, Allen. "Yale University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/yale-university-gpa-sat-and-act-data-786786.Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). Yale University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/yale-university-gpa-sat-and-act-data-786786Grove, Allen. "Yale University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/yale-university-gpa-sat-and-act-data-786786 (accessed August 9, 2024).
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