Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut · Founded 1701

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Testing policy

SAT / ACT required

Yale requires the ACT or SAT of first-year AND transfer applicants. AP or IB scores may be added alongside but no longer replace the ACT/SAT. Yale was test-optional (2020) then test-flexible (2024); the requirement was restored for the cycle beginning after 27 May 2026. Source: admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing and news.yale.edu (verified September 2026).

About

A private Ivy League research university built around Yale College, its undergraduate liberal arts school, together with a graduate school and a dozen professional schools.

History

Founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School and renamed in 1718 after benefactor Elihu Yale. It has been based in New Haven since 1716.

What stands out

Fourteen residential colleges that organize housing, dining and social life
Distributional requirements instead of a fixed core curriculum
A two-week shopping period each term before course schedules are fixed
Extensive library, art gallery and museum collections open to undergraduates

Popular majors

EconomicsComputer SciencePolitical ScienceHistoryMolecular BiologyGlobal AffairsPsychologyMathematicsEnglishNeuroscience

Campus life

Students are assigned to a residential college before arriving and usually stay in it for four years; each has its own dining hall, courtyard and intramural teams. Campus sits in downtown New Haven, and theater, a cappella and student publications draw large numbers.