SC Connecticut News

Yale College last month welcomed 1,554 new first-year students to New Haven as members of the Class of 2028. They were joined by 23 new transfer students and 26 new adult students matriculating through the Eli Whitney Students Program.

Among the new students are graduates of more than 1,100 high schools, 20 veterans of the U.S. military, and 23 students who were most recently enrolled at a community college.

More than 385 first-year students (25%) are eligible for a federal Pell Grant for lower-income students, and 21% will be part of the first generation in their families to graduate from a four-year college. A majority (54%) are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who identify as a member of a minority racial or ethnic group. A complete profile of the class from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is available here.

“Yale College’s newest students bring with them an extraordinary collection of interests, ambitions, and talents that will enrich the undergraduate learning environment,” said Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid. “I am especially excited that the Class of 2028 includes the greatest representation of first-generation and low-income students on record, and that Yale College now enrolls more veterans than it has in many decades.”

Quinlan noted that the admissions office made several changes to its selection process in response to the June 2023 Supreme Court ruling on the use of race in admissions. This year application reviewers did not have access to self-identified race and/or ethnicity data for applicants, and admissions officers involved in selection did not have access to aggregate data on the racial or ethnic composition of the pool of applicants or admitted students. All individuals involved in the selection process — including admissions officers, faculty participating in admissions committee meetings, and volunteer alumni interviewers — received new training on complying with the ruling.

These changes and others were detailed in a message to the Yale community last September in which Quinlan and Yale College Dean Pericles Lewis identified three priorities for the college’s response to the ruling: “fully complying with the law, continuing to support a diverse and inclusive community, and maintaining a world-class admissions process that considers each applicant as an individual.”

In that message, the admissions office also announced several new initiatives designed to expand Yale’s outreach to prospective students and develop new talent pipelines. Although some initiatives had not launched before this group applied, Quinlan said they received a record number of applications — more than 60,000 for all programs combined. The pool also included most applications ever from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

The newest Yalies arrived from 52 U.S. states and territories and from 55 countries. Almost half (49%) reported speaking a language other than English as their first language or as their home language.

As applicants, first-year students listed up to three Yale majors fitting their academic interests. Collectively, they expressed interest in pursuing 83 distinct majors. Roughly a quarter (23%) listed an arts and humanities major as their first interest; similar proportions chose social sciences (28%). Just under half opted for STEM majors: physical sciences or engineering (33%), life sciences (17%). More than 98% listed multiple majors; 87% selected three spanning two or more categories such as history, computer science, environmental studies; applied math; political science; global affairs.

More than 58% receive need-based financial aid from Yale with an average scholarship over $74,000 for this academic year. Students from families with annual incomes below $75,000 qualify for awards covering full tuition costs plus additional expenses like housing and meal plans.

“The mission...is to make...education affordable for all admitted students,” said Kari DiFonzo, director of undergraduate financial aid.

The newest Yalies benefit from recent enhancements adding millions annually to financial aid budgets reducing costs for thousands recognized nationally increasing lower-income student representation one-third now first-generation college lower-income family backgrounds.

New first years met counselors residential communities Aug.18 began transitioning earlier April Bulldog Days summer First-Year Scholars accelerated transition select lower-income households completed coursework participated advising skills workshops lectures meetings deans leaders free program launched served over twelve summers Online Experiences virtual math introducing quantitative concepts used courses Camp Programs cultivating belonging covered costs associated programs Family Weekend Sept27-29

Dean Lewis welcoming address citizenship liberal education underscored experience strengthened diversity invaluable lessons developing skills lead serve delighted chose Yale