Yale Young Global Scholars: What it's really like
Learn more about this US-based summer programme
Want to study on a summer programme which welcomes students from 150 countries? YYGS could be for you!
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) at a glance:
| Founded | 2001 |
| Locations | Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, US |
| Programme length | Two weeks |
| Subjects | Students can choose from four tracks: Innovations in Science and Technology Literature, Philosophy and Culture Politics, Law and Economics Solving Global Challenges |
| Students | 1,800 |
| Great for | Students who want to get a deeper understanding of a subject whilst making friends from around the world. |
| Not for | Students who are not yet 16 at the start of the programme or do not yet meet the academic and language requirements (see the YYGS website for details). |
Shu Yi, who works in Yale University’s Office of International Affairs, tells us what it’s like to join the programme.
What is Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)?
YYGS is an academic enrichment programme for outstanding high school students from all over the world. Each summer, students from 150 countries come to Yale’s campus to take part in one interdisciplinary two-week programme. Students get the chance to immerse themselves in a global learning community and get a glimpse of what college life is like.
The student body is around 1,800 students this summer, and there are four academic tracks to choose from. Students can study humanities (Literature, Philosophy and Culture); STEM (Innovations in Science and Technology); Politics, Law, and Economics; or Solving Global Challenges, a cross-disciplinary programme that combines all three!
Why apply to YYGS?
If you’re a student looking to gain a deeper understanding of the world, and to be intellectually challenged, YYGS could be for you. You’ll learn in lots of different ways, from seminars to uni-style lectures to capstone projects (where you’ll show off the real-world skills you’ve learned).
There’s also a balance of academic and social time on the programme. So despite it only lasting two weeks, students usually form deep friendships here. Thanks to our strong alumni network, I’ve met students who have come back to teach on the programme four years later, and said they’ve still kept in touch with the friends they made!
As you’ll be learning with students from around 150 countries, you’ll get to hear first-hand student experiences from many different cultures and societies. This'll help you feel connected to one another and to the wider world around you.
Who isn’t the right fit for YYGS?
YYGS exposes students to different topics across a range of disciplines, so we welcome students from all academic backgrounds.
That said, we do have some entry requirements, which include:
being 16 years old by the time sessions start
an English fluency level
being a current high school sophomore or junior (or international equivalent)
Check the YYGS website for the details. If you don’t meet the criteria just yet, wait until you do before you apply.
Any application tips?
We want to make sure your application is successful, so our website provides helpful resources to get you started. You’ll find webinars on topics like the application process and financial aid, and even virtual academic info sessions with the programme leaders for each track (subject area).
Make sure your application is both genuine and creative to help you stand out. You might have heard the expression ‘thinking outside the box’, but we like to say ‘there is no box’!
What’s the location like?
YYGS is based in the small, picturesque city of New Haven, Connecticut. The campus is halfway between New York and Boston.
New Haven was chosen by The New York Times as one of the 52 places to visit around the world, and has been described as a ‘treasure trove of contemporary art and architecture.’
Yale is based in the heart of the city, and students enjoy how walkable and accessible the campus is. In their spare time, students can enjoy the free Yale Art Gallery in the day. And at night, they can take part in salsa under the stars and dance to a live band!
For shopping-loving students, nearby Broadway is teeming with bookstores, clothing stores, restaurants, and cafes.
What facilities does YYGS have to offer?
Whilst taking part in YYGS, students can get inspired at the Yale Centre for British Art or the Peabody Museum of Natural History. They can also check out old manuscripts at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, or conduct research at the Sterling Memorial Library.
Students have hundreds of seminars to choose from housed in smaller classrooms, whilst larger lectures take place in lecture theatres. In the past, these have been hosted in spaces like the historic Woolsey Hall and Yale Law School.
In their free time, students enjoy playing volleyball and sharing picnics on Cross Campus, a lush green lawn in the middle of campus.
What is housing like for YYGS students?
During YYGS, students dorm in one of Yale’s historic colleges.
In each college, there’s a courtyard where students relax, study, or play sports between learning sessions. There’s also a buttery (a late night cafe) where students can enjoy TVs, board games, pool, and ping pong.
Students get three meals a day included in their tuition fees, so they usually eat together in their college’s dining hall.
How does YYGS meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
Our facilities are equipped to meet the needs of a diverse student body. All of our facilities are wheelchair accessible, and our teachers are encouraged to teach with a range of learning styles in mind, supporting students who are neurodivergent.
Our dining options are suitable for a range of religious, vegan and vegetarian, and allergy-restricted diets.
We also offer a tuition discount up to 100%, as we believe finances should not be a barrier to students accessing the programme.
Want to explore more summer schools and residentials? Check out Unifrog’s Special opportunities tool to make your first shortlist.