Yale Young Global Scholars - Should You Apply?
As an academically motivated high school student, you might already be considering various academic enrichment programs to boost your college applications. This blog covers the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS), a summer academic enrichment program offered by one of the top universities in the country. This program is a compelling opportunity that allows you to explore advanced topics across a diverse range of subjects, making it a strong contender for your personal and academic growth.
What is the Yale Young Global Scholars program?
The Yale Young Global Scholars Program (YYGS) is a residential, interdisciplinary, two-week long summer academic enrichment initiative that welcomes high school students from over 150 countries at Yale University’s campus. YYGS offers four distinct courses across three different sessions, of which each student can attend only one. What makes YYGS truly unique is that the curriculum ties together all the sessions, and will have you working with different groups of peers and in different learning contexts. Aside from lectures, seminars and symposiums, you can also expect breakout discussions and a collaborative capstone project.
YYGS is one of the most globally diverse programs available, bringing over 2,000 students together from across the world.
How is YYGS structured?
YYGS is structured around four main academic tracks: Innovations in Science & Technology, Literature, Philosophy, & Culture, Politics, Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges. Each session spans two weeks, with activities structured to maximize learning and interaction. You will engage in lectures, seminars, and project-based learning, facilitated by Yale's distinguished faculty and guest speakers. The environment is highly collaborative, offering access to Yale’s vast resources including libraries and special research facilities. Each track is organized as follows:
Innovations in Science & Technology (IST) - An ideal choice if you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of scientific and technological innovation. It covers cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy. You will engage in hands-on projects and laboratory work, making use of Yale's state-of-the-art facilities. The course is led by leading faculty members and industry experts who provide mentorship, ensuring that you not only learn theoretical concepts but also how to apply them in practical scenarios. Seminars include topics such as quantum mechanics, design thinking applied to scientific innovation, and potential challenges of artificial intelligence. There is a strong focus on building critical thinking and analytical skills, and this is a great option if you’re keen on understanding how to use data and observations to positively impact the world around you.
Literature, Philosophy, & Culture (LPC) - Designed for the introspective and analytic minds, the LPC track explores diverse cultural texts, philosophical ideas, and literary works. This course encourages you to engage with various forms of media and discuss broad-ranging ideas from global justice to existentialism. The program leverages Yale’s vast literary collections and cultural resources, providing a backdrop for discussions and exploration. You will spend your days tackling interdisciplinary and international perspectives in films, fiction, philosophy, theater, music and more, all led by distinguished humanities scholars. If you’re interested in topics like moral dilemmas, storytelling, the notion of logical fallacies, social justice, and the interpretation of meaning in art, then this is the track for you.
Politics, Law & Economics (PLE) - The PLE track offers a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between the government, legal frameworks, and economic policy. It is perfect if you’re interested in a career in public policy, law, or economics. The course provides access to Yale's extensive resources, including its law school and economics department, fostering a real-world understanding of political and economic theories. You’ll be engaging in simulations, such as mock trials and economic forecasting exercises, under the guidance of experienced faculty members. An average day can include lectures on global economic policies, workshops on legal arguments, and seminars discussing political theories.
Solving Global Challenges (SGC) - This track is specifically designed for those interested in addressing critical world issues such as climate change, public health, and international security. The course takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from the fields of environmental science, public health, and political science. You will have the opportunity to work in Yale’s research facilities and participate in group projects that simulate real-world problem-solving scenarios. Each day is structured around collaborative sessions, expert lectures, and strategic planning workshops. You will get to brainstorm innovative and sustainable solutions to a wide array of contemporary social, economic, and environmental problems. It is a great opportunity to learn how to apply interdisciplinary knowledge to complex problems.
Is YYGS prestigious?
YYGS is prestigious not just for its association with Yale, but also for the quality of education it offers. Each year the program accepts over 2,000 students across 12 sessions, with a respectable 12:1 student:teacher ratio. It also boasts a 15,000+ strong alumni network, further underscoring the industry exposure and unparalleled networking opportunities it provides. While it’s a program that does come with a cost attached to it, with no stringent academic requirements, the opportunities it offers still make it a worthy addition to any profile.
Who is eligible to apply to YYGS?
The eligibility criteria for YYGS are simple and straightforward. You must be:
Aged 16-18 by July 21, 2024.
A current high school sophomore or junior, or international equivalent.
Graduating in May/June 2025 or 2026 from the Northern Hemisphere, or in November/December 2024 or 2025 from the Southern Hemisphere.
A first time applicant to the program.
How does the application process work?
The application for YYGS requires the following:
A list of your extracurricular activities.
One 400-word essay and one 200-word response.
Two “fast take” responses (280 characters each).
Your official school transcript.
A completed YYGS Recommendation Form from one recommender.
Application fee of $70 for Early Action or $85 for Regular Decision.
Note that you may need to provide English fluency test scores (TOEFL or DuoLingo) if you’re an international applicant.
For the 2024 session, the key deadlines were as follows:
Early action application deadline: November 1, 2023
Early action decision: December 20, 2023
Regular decision application deadline: January 10, 2024
Regular decision release: March 10, 2024
While applying, you need to specify which of the following twelve sessions you wish to attend:
Session I (June 23 - July 5)
Innovations in Science & Technology (IST I)
Literature, Philosophy, & Culture (LPC I)
Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE I)
Solving Global Challenges (SGC I)
Session II (July 7 - July 19)
Innovations in Science & Technology (IST II)
Literature, Philosophy, & Culture (LPC II)
Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE II)
Solving Global Challenges (SGC II)
Session III (July 21 - Aug 2)
Innovations in Science & Technology (IST III)
Literature, Philosophy, & Culture (LPC III)
Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE III)
Solving Global Challenges (SGC III)
How much does YYGS cost?
The tuition for one session of YYGS is $6,500. While this isn’t the most affordable, YYGS does offer need based financial aid to both domestic and international students. There are also specific scholarships available to students from different backgrounds.
Pros and Cons of attending YYGS
Pros:
Access to Yale’s premier resources: At YYGS you will have the unique advantage of accessing Yale University’s world-class libraries, laboratories, and research facilities. This exposure can not only enhance your learning experience but also provide a taste of university life at a leading Ivy League institution.
Networking with global peers: With participants from over 150 countries, you’ll have the rare opportunity to forge relationships with a diverse and talented group of peers. This network can provide personal and professional support for years to come.
Interdisciplinary approach: The courses at YYGS encourage you to think across disciplines, fostering a broader understanding of complex global issues. This approach helps develop versatile problem-solving skills that are highly valued by any admissions officer or recruiter.
Mentorship from leading academics and professionals: The program features lectures and seminars led by renowned Yale faculty and experts from various industries. This direct mentorship provides you with insights into advanced academic concepts and professional fields.
Cons:
It’s an expensive program: Although financial aid is available, the base cost of attending YYGS can be prohibitive for many. This includes not only the tuition but also travel and personal expenses during the program.
Competitive admission process: With a low acceptance rate, the application process to YYGS is highly competitive. You’ll need to invest time and effort into your application, and potentially have a backup plan for your summer.
Limited duration: The short duration of the program means that you will have limited time to fully maximize the learning experience of the program. While intensive, the experience may still feel rushed, with little downtime for informal learning or networking.
Our review
Yale Young Global Scholars is an exceptional program that offers rigorous academic challenge and growth. It is ideal if you’re looking for an opportunity to thoroughly explore a field of your choice with interdisciplinary and global perspectives to broaden your horizons. The benefits—academic enrichment, personal growth, and future collegiate and career advantages—significantly outweigh the challenges, making YYGS a worthwhile consideration.
If you’re interested in building a unique, personal project in AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI gives you the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of computer science and AI. You get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Oxford, and more to write research papers or build unique projects. Last year, we had over 1000 students apply to do AI work with us, and our alums went on to study computer science and AI at top universities. You can find the application form here.
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