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What it takes to get into Yale University

The numbers admitted students had, and the parts of an application Yale Universityreports it weighs. Both come from the college’s own reporting.

Acceptance rate

3.9%

SAT middle 50%

1470–1570

median 1530

ACT middle 50%

33–35

median 34

Testing

Optional

59% submitted an SAT

Top 10% of class

96%

of admitted students

Common App

Accepted

Also required

2

Personal essay, 3 recommendation letters

Reported by the college

What Yale University weighs

Requirements tell you what to submit. This tells you what happens to it once you do, which is the more useful of the two and the part almost nobody looks up.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Class rank
    • Essay
    • Recommendations
    • Extracurriculars
    • Talent or ability
    • Character and personal qualities

  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Test scores
    • Interview
    • First-generation status
    • Legacy
    • State residency
    • Where you live
    • Volunteer work
    • Work experience

  • Not considered

    Reported as playing no part in the decision.

    • Demonstrated interest
    • Religious affiliation

From Yale University’s Common Data Set, 2024, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.

Where you stand

Run your own numbers

These are the numbers admitted students had. The next question is where yours land inside them, and what to do about the gap.

Your chances at Yale UniversityYale University essay prompts (8)

Common questions

Yale University requirements, answered

What matters most for Yale University admissions?

Yale University reports that it treats grades, course rigor, class rank, essay as very important. Those are where the work pays off, and the college is the source, not a guess.

What does Yale University not consider?

Yale University reports that demonstrated interest, religious affiliation play no part in its decision. This is worth knowing because effort spent on any of them does not count here, whatever it does elsewhere.

Does Yale University require the SAT or ACT?

No, Yale University is test-optional. About 59% of the enrolled class submitted an SAT, so applying without one is common here.

What Spike does with this

Build toward what Yale University actually reads.

Spike takes the factors a college weighs and works them into your courses, testing, essays, and activities over time.