Apply with a Standout Essay to Prestigious Summer Programs Taught by Professors
1. What Is the Yale Young Global Scholars?
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is one of the world’s most reputable and influential summer programs for high school students. The program lasts two weeks and is conducted in person on Yale University’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Each summer, YYGS accommodates outstanding students from over 150 countries, fostering diversity in a highly academic learning environment.
The YYGS curriculum is designed to be open and exploratory, encouraging curiosity and collaboration. Students engage with an innovative academic focus on STEM, social sciences, humanities, politics, law, economics, and sustainable development. Through lectures, group discussions, and group projects, students not only amplify their knowledge but also develop critical thinking, reasoning skills, and a global perspective.
2. Yale Young Global Scholars’ Programs
Yale Young Global Scholars embraces an open, exploratory, and highly collaborative approach to learning. Students engage in a variety of academic formats, from university-style lectures and small, discussion-based seminars to organic intellectual exchanges that continue beyond the classroom, in residence halls, across campus, and even in the dining hall.
The program does not assign grades or offer college credit. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive an official certificate of completion from Yale Young Global Scholars.
The three main academic tracks of Yale Young Global Scholars include:
- Innovation in Science & Technology
- Politics of Law and Economics
- Solving Global Challenges
Below is detailed information about each program offered at Yale Young Global Scholars.
Innovation in Science & Technology (IST)
The Innovation in Science & Technology (IST) program is designed for students passionate about STEM and curious about the application of scientific principles in real-world contexts. Students are set to navigate a range of STEM fields, including physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, neuroscience, psychology, and Earth science, while engaging with interdisciplinary applications.
Examples of featured lectures in the program include:
- Listening Is Not Hearing: Research on music-based interventions to improve medical stethoscope skills
- Robots that Teach: Exploring the role of robots in education
- Dwarf Galaxies, Dark Matter, and the Milky Way: Understanding dwarf galaxies, dark matter, and our galaxy
Examples of seminar topics include:
- Design Thinking for Innovation: Creating Solutions That Make a Difference
- Warping Time and Space: An Exploration of Relativity
- Biohacking: Can We Upgrade Ourselves?
Politics of Law and Economics (PLE)
The Politics of Law and Economics (PLE) program is designed for students interested in economics, law, and politics. Through this program, students are taught how social systems function within historical and international contexts. The curriculum focuses on public policy, human rights, market regulation, and international relations. Moreover, it demonstrates to students an interdisciplinary lens to discuss social issues.
Examples of featured lectures include:
- The Good Life After the Age of Growth
- Development Economics: Agricultural Microcredit
- Silver Democracy: Youth Representation in an Aging Japan
Examples of seminar topics include:
- Angrynomics: Do We Really Want Equality?
- Prisoners, Game Shows, and Duels: Game Theory in Action
- An Introduction to Originalism as a Framework for Constitutional Interpretation
Solving Global Challenges (SGC)
The Solving Global Challenges (SGC) program equips students with interdisciplinary thinking and innovative approaches to address urgent 21st-century global issues, guided by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Examples of featured lectures include:
- Climate Change in Perspective
- Healthy Lives at All Ages: Global Health Challenges, Responses, and Aims
- Who We Are to Each Other: Human Rights in a Changing World
Examples of seminar topics include:
- Money, Power, and Nations: Understanding Global Financial Inequalities
- Healing or Harming?: When Foreign Aid Becomes a Double-Edged Sword
- Will AI Take Over the World? Power, Ethics, and the Path Forward
3. Who Are Yale Young Global Scholars For?
To apply for Yale Young Global Scholars, students must meet the following criteria:
- Must be 16–18 years old and currently in grades 10–11 at high schools globally
- Must have sufficient English proficiency to comprehensively participate in YYGS’s intensive academic programs
- Must be a first-time participant: students who have previously attended YYGS are not eligible to participate again (Note: if you applied before but were not admitted, you may reapply the following year)
Many Aralia Students Accepted to Yale Young Global Scholars
You should consider participating in Yale Young Global Scholars if:
- You are passionate about exploring fields such as Economics, Law, Politics, Science, and Technology in greater depth
- You want to challenge and improve yourself in an international academic environment alongside top instructors and peers
- You want to experience both the academic environment and campus life at universities firsthand
- You are looking for world-class academic extracurricular activities to strengthen your college application profile
4. YYGS Schedule, Application Deadlines, and Tuition
Program Dates
Each summer, Yale Young Global Scholars offers three two-week sessions:
- Session 1: June 21 – July 3
- Session 2: July 5 – July 17
- Session 3: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadlines
The program has two admissions cycles each year: Early Action (September–October) and Regular Decision (October–January). Below are the specific deadlines for each round:
Early Action | Regular Decision | |
Application Deadline | 15/10/2025 | 07/01/2026 |
Application Fee | $80 | $95 |
Admissions & Financial Aid Notification | By December 12, 2025 | By March 10, 2026 |
Enrollment Confirmation & Tuition Payment Deadline | 17/12/2025 | 15/03/2026 |
Students who submit their applications early can save a portion of the fee compared to the regular submission period.
Tuition
The full tuition for one two-week YYGS session is $7,000. This covers all on-campus living expenses, including housing, meals, learning materials, and access to campus facilities. However, international travel costs (airfare) are not included and must be covered by students.
YYGS offers need-based financial aid to both U.S. and international students, the support covering up to 100% of tuition. Each year, the program allocates more than $3 million USD as financial aid to ensure equitable access for students from diverse financial backgrounds.
5. What Does the Yale Young Global Scholars Application Include?
Yale Young Global Scholars uses a holistic review process. Applications are assessed comprehensively rather than focusing solely on grades or academic achievements. The admissions committee recognizes that students come from diverse countries, education systems, and levels of access to extracurricular opportunities. Therefore, essays and short responses play a particularly important role in helping the committee comprehend each student’s thinking, academic interests, and personality
To apply for the Yale Young Global Scholars program, here are the following components:
Activities List: Students must list the activities they have participated in both inside and outside of school, including academic pursuits, clubs, personal projects, research, community service, arts, sports, or other responsibilities. YYGS does not set a preferred number of activities; instead, it weighs a student’s level of involvement, role, and experiences that shaped their perspective and growth.
One essay (up to 400 words) and one 200-word response: Through these essays, YYGS seeks to understand your academic fields of interest, approach to problems, and response to complex topics. Essays that demonstrate curiosity, analytical thinking, reflection, and a strong personal voice leave a positive impression on the admissions committee.
Two Fast Take Responses: Each response is limited to 280 characters. YYGS evaluates your personality, decisiveness, and personal viewpoints. The answers do not need to be highly academic, but they should be authentic, clear, and reflective of your unique voice.
Official School Transcript: Your transcript summarizes your academic record within the context of your school’s curriculum. YYGS does not advertise a minimum GPA requirement but expects students to have a solid academic foundation and sufficient rigour for an intensive academic program.
One Recommender: Applicants must invite a teacher or mentor to complete YYGS’s online recommendation form.
In addition to the required components above, YYGS also suggests supplemental materials students may submit to strengthen their applications, such as:
English proficiency test scores: Students may submit TOEFL or Duolingo scores if they wish, which can be especially helpful for non-native international students.
Need-based financial aid application: YYGS offers need-based financial aid to both U.S. and international students. Applying for financial aid does not negatively affect your chances of admission.
You can find detailed application instructions on the official YYGS website.
6. How Competitive is the Yale Young Global Scholars?
Yale Young Global Scholars is known as one of the most competitive summer programs in the United States. Each year, the program receives more than 12,000 applications from students from over 150 countries and all 50 U.S. states. However, as a selective program, only about 1,950 students are admitted, with the acceptance rate approximately 16%.
This reflects the prestige and selectivity of YYGS. The program not only seeks students with strong academic abilities but also prioritizes those who demonstrate a passion for learning, critical thinking, teamwork, and a desire to contribute to a diverse, globally minded society.
Given the intense competition, preparing your YYGS application requires focused effort, especially for the essays and short responses. An application that clearly communicates your academic direction, learning initiative, and unique personality will help you stand out among thousands of applicants worldwide.
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Impress the YYGS Admissions Committee with Aralia’s Support
Admission to top global summer programs requires more than excellent grades or a well-accomplished set of extracurricular activities. Students also need compelling essays that demonstrate to the admissions committee that they are an essential fit for these prestigious programs.
With guidance from Aralia’s top college application writing instructors, students receive personalized, in-depth support to craft standout essays. Instructors work closely with students from brainstorming and developing ideas to refining and finalizing their essays. Additionally, students receive feedback on how to present their application materials and extracurricular activities effectively, significantly increasing their chances of admission.
Many 2026 summer programs are still accepting applications. Contact Aralia for expert guidance on your application!
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