Yale Summer Session FAQs

What are the selection criteria for Yale Summer Session?

Yale Summer Session applications will be reviewed according to a range of criteria, including the following:

  • Thoughtful course selection: student has demonstrated how the selected courses fit in with his/her academic, professional, or personal goals.
  • Ability to serve as an ambassador of Yale-NUS College to students, professors, and administrators of Yale Summer Session.
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing.

I am interested in a course in New Haven that is only offered during Session B, or a course abroad that conflicts with the Yale-NUS semester schedule. Can I apply for it, even if it means that I will miss the first few days of class in Singapore?

Students should not select New Haven courses in Session B or courses abroad that conflict with the Yale-NUS semester dates. However,we understand that certain courses are offered only during Session B and we will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If you have a strong interest in taking one of those courses, please list it on your Yale Summer Session application, but select a second choice that does not conflict with the semester dates. Requests for courses that conflict with the beginning of the semester will be reviewed after the application deadline and applicants will be notified on an individual basis.

Do I have a better chance of being admitted to YSS if I choose courses that don’t conflict with the Yale-NUS semester dates?

Selecting a course that conflicts with the Yale-NUS semester dates will not cause your application to be considered any differently than any other application. Please select the course(s) that is/are most relevant and meaningful to you, but in case we are not able to approve your first choice course, be sure to select a second choice that you would also be happy with.

Am I more likely to be accepted if I select a YSS course in New Haven or a YSS course abroad?

CIPE does not have “quotas” for specific YSS programs.We will review applications based on students’ rationale for their course selection. Selecting courses in New Haven vs. abroad (or both options between your first and second choice) will have no impact on your likelihood of acceptance.

Will I earn credit for the course(s) I take through Yale Summer Session? Do I need prior approval from my academic adviser, or can I pick whichever courses I like?

Yes, Yale Summer Session courses will be approved for credit transfer, but the number of MCs each course will be worth is still under discussion. We will be able to advise selected YSS students of exact credit transfer guidelines by March 1. There is no need to contact your academic advisor about credit transfer at this time. We will coordinate course selection and advising once the applications have been reviewed by CIPE and students have been selected for the program.

How much funding is available? How is it determined?

Please do not let financial considerations prevent you from pursuing this opportunity. We will work with every student to make sure that attending YSS will not place an undue financial burden on any student who has been selected and wishes to attend YSS courses. A combination of financial support will be available, including: a) significant merit-based funding for tuition and expenses of attending Yale Summer Session programs b) need-based funding available for students for whom the co-pay or the travel costs represent a significant financial hardship c) opportunities to earn additional funding by working on projects through CIPE. We do not want students missing out on this opportunity for financial reasons, and we will work hard to ensure that that does not happen.

If I think that need-based funding will be necessary, do I need to provide any supporting documents?

Students who are selected for Yale Summer Session will have the opportunity to fill out a need-based funding application form once they have been admitted. Admissions to YSS will be done on a need-blind basis.

If I am selected by CIPE to participate in Yale Summer Session, am I guaranteed a place in my first choice course?

No. (Since when were there guarantees in life ?)We have worked with the Yale Summer Session to allocate 25 places for our students for this summer. Those spots are general, and are not for specific courses. It is possible that students could be accepted to YSS, but not receive their first choice course. YSS courses offered in Europe, for example, may be some of the most selective, as they are very popular with Yale students. We will do our best to get as many of our students into their first choice courses as possible, but it’s imperativethat students select a second choice option that they would also be happy with.

If I get in to Yale Summer Session, can I also participate in another CIPE opportunity this summer?

While we understand having FOMO (we have it when we look at all the things you get to do!), we will not, in general, allow students to participate in multiple CIPE opportunities during the same summer. Taking some time to reflect, to recharge, and just read over the summer is also valuable. CIPE also wants to ensure that our support of students in their summer activities is as widely distributed and equitable as possible. However, there may be exceptions in some casesinvolving shorter CIPE programs, such as NGO Bootcamp (minus the internship) or the Spain LAB. Please speak with your CIPE advisor if you have questions about this.

Besides applying to CIPE for the YSS courses, am I also required to apply to YSS directly?

Not for now. The only thing you need to do by Wed, Jan 29 is to submit to CIPE your YSS application (available on the CIPE “Summer Opportunities” website). If you are successful in your application, you will receive detailed instructions from CIPE on the next steps in registering for YSS.