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Yale University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts
Why This Major Short Response
Students at Yale have plenty of time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.
Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it?
Why This College Short Response
What is it about Yale that has led you to apply?
Select-A-Prompt Essay
Short Takes:
Please respond in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words or fewer), to each of the following questions:
Option 1
What inspires you?
Option 2
If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?
Option 3
Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence?
Option 4
What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?
Select-A-Prompt Short Response
Please respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer. Please indicate the number of the prompt you choose.
Option 1
Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?
Option 2
Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.
Option 3
Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?
Common App Personal Essay
The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.
Option 1
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Option 2
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Option 3
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Option 4
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Option 5
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Option 6
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Option 7
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
