Yale College recently welcomed 1,554 new first-year students to New Haven as members of the Class of 2028. September 4, 2024, marked this newest group’s arrival, with photos capturing the occasion appearing in the college’s publication. These students, representing diverse backgrounds and aspirations, are set to contribute to a vibrant academic community at Yale.

Yale University announced the addition of 49 new students for the Class of 2028, who were joined by 23 transfer students and 26 adult students participating in the Eli Whitney Students Program. Among the newcomers are graduates from over 1,100 high schools, 20 veterans of the U.S. military, and 23 students who recently completed their studies at a community college. More than 385 first-year students, or 25%, are eligible for a federal Pell Grant, and 21% will be the first in their families to earn a degree from a four-year institution. A majority—54%—are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who identify as members of a racial or ethnic minority. A detailed profile of the incoming class is available on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Dean Jeremiah Quinlan of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid expressed excitement about the Class of 2028, highlighting its exceptional diversity, particularly the highest representation of first-generation and low-income students on record. He noted that Yale College now enrolls more veterans than it has in decades, underscoring the institution’s commitment to inclusivity. Quinlan also mentioned that the admissions process has been adjusted in response to the June 2023 Supreme Court decision, reflecting the university’s ongoing dedication to maintaining diversity in a legally evolving landscape.

Yale University recently implemented changes due to a legal ruling prohibiting the use of race in admissions. Last year, applicants weren't provided with self-identified race or ethnicity data, and admissions officers lacked access to aggregated data about applicants or admitted students. To comply with the ruling, all involved in the selection process received new training. These updates were shared with the Yale community last September, where Provost Quinlan and Dean Pericles Lewis outlined three priorities: fully complying with the law, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, and maintaining a top-tier admissions process that evaluates each applicant individually. Additionally, the admissions office introduced new initiatives to expand outreach and cultivate new talent pipelines. These efforts were new to some programs, despite a record number of applications—over 60,000 for first-year, transfer, and Eli Whitney admissions combined. Notably, the applicant pool included the highest number of applications from students identifying as members of specific groups.

Students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, showcasing exceptional talent with diverse academic and personal backgrounds, arrived on campus this fall. Incoming freshmen came from 52 U.S. states and territories and 55 countries, reflecting a broad range of experiences. Approximately 49% of students indicated that English wasn’t their primary language, highlighting the global diversity of the incoming class. When asked to choose up to three Yale academic programs of interest, students expressed a strong desire to pursue 83 distinct Yale academic programs. Among these, nearly a quarter (23%) expressed a primary interest in arts and humanities, while a similar proportion (28%) leaned toward social sciences. Just under half of the class (33%) selected STEM fields, including physical sciences or engineering, with 17% choosing one of five life science majors. Over 98% of students listed multiple areas of interest,

Yale University has introduced a series of scholarships aimed at making higher education more accessible. These scholarships cover tuition fees, on-campus housing, a meal plan, travel expenses, hospitalization insurance, and a $2,000 startup grant, with additional support through scholarship funds. Around 330 new first-year students (21%) received these awards. Kari DiFonzo, director of undergraduate financial aid, noted that Yale’s mission is to ensure that all admitted students can afford a Yale College education. She also mentioned a new initiative where each admitted student is paired with a personal financial aid counselor to assist with finalizing financial aid offers or reviewing applications. Financial aid policies have been updated to enhance support, boosting the annual budget by millions and reducing costs for thousands of students. Yale has been recognized as a national leader in increasing the representation of students from lower-income backgrounds, with over one-third of Yale College undergraduates now from such families or first-generation college students. Meanwhile, new students began their Yale journey by meeting their first-year advisors and exploring their residential colleges on August 18. Many students had already started transitioning to Yale earlier in the week.

More than 1,500 admitted students attended Bulldog Days and Bulldog Saturday, events organized by Yale’s admissions office to welcome prospective students on campus. Over 500 current students volunteered to host visiting students in their residential college suites, while more than 100 faculty members participated in the annual Bulldog Days academic fair. During the summer, nearly 100 students engaged in the six-week First-Year Scholars at Yale (FSY) program, which offers an accelerated transition for incoming students from lower-income households. FSY participants completed English and mathematics coursework, attended advising sessions, participated in skills workshops, listened to faculty lectures, and met with deans and campus leaders. Launched in 2013, this free program has served over 500 Yale students in 12 summers. Additionally, more than 200 incoming students took part in the free virtual math program, Online Experiences for Yale Scholars (ONEXYS). After settling in, each new student joined one of nine distinctive

Starting in 2022, Yale has fully funded various programs and initiatives in New Haven, including the First-Year Outdoor Orientation Trips (FOOT), Harvest, LAUNCH, the Orientation for International Students (OIS), and Yale Reserved. This month, Yale College will host its annual Family Weekend for prospective students, scheduled for September 27-29. Dean Lewis, who recently welcomed new students with a focus on citizenship and liberal education, highlighted the importance of diversity in shaping the Yale experience and encouraged incoming students to draw valuable lessons and skills from their peers. He expressed pride in welcoming these new students to Yale. Meanwhile, Yale alumni continue to make significant contributions to the community through various awards and initiatives. Sustainability efforts, such as the geothermal project at Science Hill, have reached a key milestone. Upcoming podcasts and articles will provide updates on Yale’s progress in clean energy and other initiatives. Additionally, Yale’s recent success in the ‘For Humanity’ campaign has strengthened its ability to expand access and opportunity while advancing discovery. The university also remains committed to enriching the New Haven community through its programs and events.

In this latest edition of Humanitas, a podcast marks the 100th anniversary of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, featuring insights from a Yale student reflecting on "America at 250." New faculty books and summer reading recommendations offer a rich selection of writings. The publication includes articles exploring a century-old oversight in pricing theory, shedding light on the genetic roots of hair pulling and skin picking. A revisit to an ancient yet significant concept delves into the rise and decline of statesmanship, while a novel cancer drug reduces inflammation and plaque buildup in arteries. A fascinating look at how hibernating squirrels maintain their sensory function in the cold, and a commemoration of 9/11, with a new generation reflecting on its profound impact. Follow updates on these topics and more on our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter or browsing past issues, and keep an eye on our media section for updates or contact us for more details.

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News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.