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When crafting the perfect Yale supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, it is crucial to reflect on the reasons that led you to choose Yale. Is it the chance to delve into the fascinating realm of "Mathematics & Philosophy," blending two of your greatest passions? Or perhaps it's the incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of reefs and rainforests during a semester in Australia? Yale highly values knowing what motivates your academic pursuits, and the supplemental essays provide the opportunity to show the school that you're curious, ambitious, and intellectually driven. To help guide you through the Yale supplemental essays 2023-2024, I’ve outlined each prompt, with insights and additional tips to ensure that your essays shine brightly, setting you apart from the highly competitive pool of Yale applicants.

Short Answer Questions

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application will respond to the following short answer questions.

These questions are intended for admissions officers to get to know you better. InGenius Prep counselor Nick Strohl, who worked as the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale, recommends that you “aim to include topics that aren’t addressed elsewhere in the application. Be sure to write answers that are unique to who you are.”  Remember, there are no “trick” questions or right or wrong answers!

1. Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.

This is your chance to show your focus directly, and the three majors you choose should definitely be connected. Emphasize areas of choice that make sense alongside other parts of your application, and try to be as specific as possible within your major. Don’t just automatically say “biology” – look through options that match your aspirations and consider options such as “Biology (Ecology & Evolutionary),” “History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health,” and “Biomedical Engineering.” And avoid choosing a topic just because you think it sounds impressive. Admissions officers aren’t looking for any specific answers beyond what legitimately reflects your interests and goals. 

2. Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)

This is the perfect opportunity to showcase your intellectual prowess and curiosity! Choose a topic or idea that deeply resonates with you, and allow your enthusiasm to shine through your response. What topics do you enjoy learning about in school? Is it environmental law, a physics formula, or a mathematical equation? A good way to narrow down your options might be to ask yourself, “What can I give a five-minute presentation on right now?”  Remember, with a strict limit of 200 words, it is crucial to focus on something specific – after all, they are seeking one topic or idea.

Avoid using generic phrases like  “studying Environmental Engineering can help scientists understand the world’s issues better.” The question asks why the topic excites you. Use a short anecdote to drive your point home. Take the time to explain the reasons behind your profound love for this particular subject and share the profound impact it has had on your life and how it has shaped your academic journey.

3. What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Now we get to the classic “Why Yale” question. When reading your responses, Yale wants to know two things: “Who is likely to make the most of Yale’s resources?” and “Who will contribute most significantly to the Yale community?” The key to answering this question is to keep it simple and specific while making sure your knowledge of the school comes through. You want to be presented as a one-of-a-kind candidate. Since the word limit is tight, you must pinpoint one or two things that make Yale special – not in general, but in connection to your interests.

For example, are you excited by the chance to explore your love for film and media through courses such as FILM 233: Children and Schools in Global Cinema and FILM 320: Close Analysis of Film, while becoming an active member of the Yale Film Society? Or are you more drawn by the chance to enrich your advocacy for global health care through the Health & Community: Globalization, Culture, and Care comparative study abroad program across five different countries? Keep your scope narrowed to features that can only be found at Yale so the reader knows you’ve done your research and are applying for the school itself, and not just the Ivy League name. 

Additionally, Yale is known for its strong sense of community and its unique residential college system. The residential college system at Yale fosters a close-knit environment where students can form meaningful connections and engage in collaborative and inclusive experiences. By living, learning, and socializing together, students have the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships and create a supportive network within their college community. As a result, you could also consider discussing how your collaborative, open-minded, and community-oriented nature would thrive at Yale by diving into your involvement in student organizations, participation in community service initiatives, or your love for engaging in intellectual discussions with fellow students.

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will also respond to the following short answer questions, in 35 words or fewer:

Based on your answers to these four very short questions, admissions officers hope to gauge how you think and who you are. There’s no need to spend hours coming up with the “perfect” response because it’s all about painting an authentic picture of your personality. For any of these responses, you should avoid the most basic or common answers such as inviting Bill Gates or Barack Obama to be the guest speaker or wishing to teach a course called “19th Century Literature.” Your goal is to stand out and 19th Century Literature courses already exist in every university. They won’t make you memorable!

1. What inspires you?

With only 35 words, you cannot get too elaborate. Nick notes, “The best answers will resonate with your application persona in some way. For example, if you love history, perhaps there is a historical figure or moment that inspires you; if you are an artist or musician, perhaps there is a piece of art or music that captures your imagination.” Additionally, avoid mentioning random and disconnected things – instead, stick to one answer here. For example, select a piece of media (such as a song or movie) or talk about a goal (such as achieving success in the future). 

Ultimately, admissions officers want to understand what inspires you to keep going when confronted with challenges. Their goal is to understand where you find the strength to persevere when faced with a demanding intellectual, physical, or social/emotional obstacle.

2. If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?

For this prompt, think about something more niche within your area of interest. You aren’t locked within traditional boundaries of academics – you could teach a social media course or a poster-making class! This is a great opportunity to discuss a personal interest that has not already been mentioned elsewhere in your application.

Nick also adds, “Your course should be something that students would actually want to take and not just obscure for the sake of it. It should also be something different than what’s offered. Yale has a massive “blue book” with all of its courses. Make sure your course is different!”

3. Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence?

When considering someone who has significantly influenced you, it is important to strike a balance between avoiding common answers and selecting someone who is too abstract. You want to choose someone that the reader can draw a realistic and logical connection between you and that person.

And while it may be tempting to select a famous individual or someone with impressive accomplishments, it is more important to focus on how this person has impacted you personally. The key is to highlight how you have been transformed as a result of their influence. Make yourself the main focus and consider how you have changed as a result of this person. How do you think, act, care, or navigate the world differently now? A before-and-after approach can help illustrate this person's profound impact on your personal growth and development.

Remember, the purpose of this question is to showcase your individuality and unique perspective. By delving into how this person has shaped you, you can provide insight into your character and values. So, take the time to carefully reflect on the person who has influenced you the most and share how they have truly made a difference in your life.

4. What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?

You don’t have much space to dive deeper into one of your activities/awards, so be sure to write about something that is not already mentioned  in your application! Do you have a random hobby? A random way you like to spend your time? An unusual family routine? This could be a place to include a fun fact like  “my full name means Poetry of Ultimate Knowledge” or “Once I swam the English Channel.” – something quick, quirky, and memorable. This question is also a great opportunity to discuss a side of yourself best known by family or close friends – and one that ultimately may also become clear to a roommate or new friend in college. 

Pro Tip from Nick: “This question might be worth saving until later in your writing process, when you have a clear idea about what you have written about in your personal statement and other supplementary. Or, it could be a spot to adapt a response from another application that did not otherwise fit with the other Yale questions.”

Essays

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer.

For each of these essays, pay close attention to the final question of the prompt. For example, “Why did you find the experience meaningful?; “Why is this community meaningful to you”? “And how has it shaped you”? Whatever topic or experience you choose to write about, be sure that your response answers that final question.

1. Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?

This is a question that determines the candidate’s maturity and willingness to stand their ground—or have their perspective shifted for the better—and if this applies to you, I believe this is a great way to show Yale that you are a strong potential member of their “ethical, independent, and diverse” community. 

Carefully consider the incident you chose and make sure it’s not something that comes across as too controversial or offensive. Additionally, select an issue that truly resonates with you and avoid picking a trending social issue that you feel no connection to. Instead, focus on an issue you actively care about and have demonstrated interest in through other aspects of your application.

Then, delve into your thought process and explore any changes or conclusions you reached during the discussion. Show empathy and understanding towards the opposing view, and reflect on whether or not your own perspective shifted as a result. Address how this experience helped you grow, such as whether your thoughts on the issue evolved or if your approach to dealing with opposing views changed. Did you learn effective communication tactics that will benefit you in the future? Consider if you would approach a similar conversation in the same way or if you would make adjustments.

Remember, admissions officers are not only interested in how you navigate differences in a classroom setting but also in how you handle such situations with roommates or friends. Avoid the temptation to showcase winning an argument or simply agreeing to disagree. Instead, demonstrate your ability to listen, reflect, and evolve when encountering new ideas or perspectives.

2. Reflect on a time when you have worked to enhance a community to which you feel connected. Why have these efforts been meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.

Think about a group or place that has impacted you—it could be your ethnic or religious community, or it could be a club at school, or an organization outside of school that matters to you. Consider the role you’ve played in the community, how you’ve improved it, how it has shaped your perspective, and how you’d be different without it.

The heart of this prompt lies in explaining how your leadership efforts have been meaningful. Were there situations where you had to lead the community when others couldn’t? Have there been any changes that you’ve successfully implemented? Make sure you come out looking like a person who isn’t afraid to take on a challenge or step out of their comfort zone and genuinely make an impact.

Nick also adds, “Admissions officers are looking for what types of experiences and perspectives you will bring with you to Yale and what actions you will take, once there, to build communities of your own. They are especially interested in learning about how you build and sustain relationships with others.” Whatever you choose to write about, be sure to link your vision of community to the type(s) of community or communities you hope to join (or create) at Yale.

3. Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?

This is a new prompt for the 2023-2024 application cycle and is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your individuality and creativity, as there are no limits on the topics that can be explored. Whether it's a personal experience, family dynamics, academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, or even a unique personality trait, you have the freedom to choose what truly defines you.

The key focus should be on how these experiences have shaped you and contributed to your growth and development. It's about understanding how these personal elements inform your decision-making, shape your perspectives, set your values, and influence your passions and interests. Reflect on how you can bring these unique qualities and perspectives to the college community. What sets you apart from other students? How will your presence enrich the college environment and contribute to the diversity of thoughts, ideas, and experiences?

This prompt allows you to delve into your personal stories and share the aspects of your life that have had a profound impact on who you are today. It's an opportunity to demonstrate self-awareness, resilience, and a genuine commitment to personal growth. The goal is to show the admissions officers how your personal experiences can truly make a difference at Yale.

Additional Tips for Writing the Yale Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

As you brainstorm and jot down ideas to compose your Yale supplemental essays 2023-2024, keep the following tips in mind:

• Be succinct but confident – None of the Yale supplemental essays 2023-2024 have a significantly high word limit. While obviously the short essays should get points across in 35 words, the word limit for the longer essay questions isn’t too high either. So in a matter of a few hundred words, you have to confidently answer questions by convincingly telling a story, providing a clear picture of yourself, and outlining your goals in relation to the programs at Yale. Don’t beat around the bush. Get straight to the point and go through multiple drafts while actively reflecting on how Yale is the right school for you.
• Don’t misrepresent yourself – For questions that ask about your academic interests or ideas that you find exciting, it might be tempting to try and guess what Yale wants to hear. Definitely avoid that, as it’s neither fair to you nor your reader. Yes, there comes a lot of pressure with applying to a school as selective as Yale, but if you try too hard, you’re going to put a lot of effort into an application that is dishonest. You want the admissions officers to evaluate you based on your real interests.
• Make sure to be specific – For a few prompts in the Yale supplemental essays 2023-2024, such as the “Why Yale?” question, you might be misguided to list things straight from the Yale website to prove that you have done your research. Except, the website exists for everybody and if admissions officers wanted to read it, they’d pull it up on their web browser. Don’t just copy and paste cool features – tell the school something about yourself that they don’t know in connection to how you’d benefit from Yale’s resources. The goal of these essays is to see how you’d fit within the campus environment. Why do you think Yale is the best place for you?

The best way to stand out from your peers in the Yale supplemental essays 2023-2024 is to emphasize qualities and experiences that are unique to you. If admissions officers come away from reading your responses knowing you’re making a well-informed decision, they’re more likely to go to bat for you. Ultimately, make sure your responses have highlighted the perspective you’ll bring and why Yale’s resources can help you achieve your goals. If you're seeking expert advice on how to effectively strategize your supplemental essays, sign up for a free consultation today with one of our college admissions experts.