The video provides a musical and insightful answer to the question “Why Choose Yale?” It starts with a typical Yale admissions information session, where a young admissions officer engages prospective students and parents with straightforward questions about the university. However, as the video progresses, it shifts tone to showcase a more engaging and reflective narrative. The video highlights Yale’s diverse academic offerings, vibrant campus culture, and preparatory programs like preceptials and the Yale Cup. It also emphasizes Yale’s impact on its alumni, showcasing their achievements and the enriching cultural and social experiences available to students. The video’s tone balances humor, nostalgia, and a deep sense of pride, making it a compelling watch for anyone considering Yale.

The admissions officer, smiling as he answers prospective students and parents’ common questions about the university, finds himself unexpectedly moved as a new Yale admissions video begins. A young woman in the back, appearing a bit puzzled, raises her hand, asking, “Why did you choose Yale?” Piano music plays, and the officer’s eyes light up as he begins to sing. He takes the mic and serenades the audience: “When I was a senior in high school, colleges called out my name. Every day I debated where to attend college, but every place seemed the same. Yet after I went through the options, only one choice remained.” He laments, “I wanted to hail from a college called Yale.”

As the tempo picks up, the admissions officer is transported to Yale’s Old Campus, where he dances and sings about the university’s residential college system and “first-rate education.” soon, Yale students join in, and by the end of the 16-minute video, they lead the way in showcasing everything Yale has to offer, all through song—its libraries, dining halls, classes on scientific research, opportunities for study abroad, and more.

Public preview: “That’s Why I Chose Yale”

Director Jeff Brenzel worked with Yale students, including alumnus Andrew Johnson, to create a musical called *The Great Wave* for the class of 2015. Inspired by Johnson’s idea, the musical aimed to introduce prospective students to Yale in a lighthearted and engaging way. Brenzel encouraged the project, suggesting it might not become a widely used recruitment tool. The musical, blending elements of originality and familiarity, proved to be both entertaining and insightful, highlighting Yale’s unique culture compared to other institutions. Its debut on YouTube sparked widespread engagement, with many viewers expressing enjoyment of the creative approach while also acknowledging the charm and spirit of Yale.

Prospective students may have become familiar with the lengthy admissions process and the numerous interviews they undergo, often finding them monotonous. Yale’s admissions officers, Johnson and Kuperberg, have recognized that these processes can be quite dull. To make the experience more engaging and relatable, they created a video showcasing the campus community. This video profiles several students and staff members, allowing viewers to get a glimpse of everyday Yale life through a fun and creative lens. Among those featured are Schneider, who performed live music, and Sam Tsui ’11, whose YouTube covers of Michael Jackson’s hits have garnered national attention. The video also highlights members of the improv musical group Just Add Water, which Johnson and Libii were part of as undergraduates. Unlike many in the video, these actors did not need to prepare their lines beforehand, as they could improvise on the spot. While some students lip-synced their lines, a notable group, including Tsui, actually sang the accompanying lyrics. These performances were recorded at Yale’s Digital Media Center for the Arts. The video not only includes students but also features members of the cast portraying Yale’s administrative staff, such as Frank Keil, Ezra Stiles, and English and theater studies professor Murray Biggs, as well as admissions officers Harry Levit and Deb Johns, who play parents of prospective students. Additionally, the video showcases various performance groups and scenes, adding depth and variety to the video. This initiative by Yale aims to humanize the admissions process and present the campus in a more approachable and authentic light.

The Anti-Gravity Society, which includes jugglers and members of the women’s cross country team and the men’s basketball team, had most of its cast members show up with little prior notice, according to Johnson. “We’d often send out an email the night before a shoot and hope people showed up,” he said. Near the end of the video, 200 Yale students were seen dancing in front of the Sterling Memorial Library. Johnson and Kuperberg invited students passing by to participate in the scene, and they were quickly taught the dance moves. “If some students had to leave for lunch during the shoot, we’d just move others ahead,” Johnson explained. The video was filmed over 10 days at the start of this academic year, using rental equipment whose cost totaled the entire budget for the project. Johnson explained that “Why I Chose Yale” aims to offer a lighthearted glimpse into student life at Yale, alongside other outreach efforts. “We don’t expect anyone to make their college decision based on a single 15-minute video,” he emphasized. “In fact, the best way to learn about Yale is to visit and talk with students.” Despite this, Johnson and Kuperberg did try to capture what it truly feels like to be a Yale student.

Yale’s video titled “Why I Chose Yale” highlights its academic and extracurricular opportunities. Despite its lighthearted tone, the creators wanted to avoid appearing too casual or unprofessional. Johnson emphasized the importance of keeping the video’s humor in check, ensuring it resonates with the audience without crossing lines. The video, which has been compared to TV shows like “High School Musical” and “Glee,” was completed long before Johnson had seen those productions. However, a key musical element in the video’s final scene involves the admissions officer, who, after singing, receives a standing ovation from prospective students and their parents. During this moment, one viewer humorously remarks, “Cats” was better, a line attributed to Mark Dunn ’07, who crafted the punchline to reflect the video’s blend of seriousness and light-heartedness.

The admissions team at Yale University, including Johnson and other staff members, is looking forward to showcasing the video "The Cling" at upcoming information sessions for prospective students. Johnson expressed his enthusiasm, noting that the video was well-received during its debut at the campus event. Meanwhile, Brenzel highlighted the video as a significant breakthrough, emphasizing that Yale initially anticipated it would only be viewed by high school students during campus visits. However, he mentioned that the video is generating substantial interest, potentially leading to new opportunities and innovative approaches for Yale. The admissions team anticipates that many more students will express a desire to incorporate the video into their future endeavors.

Yale University marks a significant milestone with its 100th anniversary celebration, highlighting its enduring contributions to theater, academic innovation, and accessibility. The event features a century-long journey of artistic expression, including new book recommendations and cultural reflections. Academic research continues to explore topics such as pricing theory, genetics, and behavioral economics. Biological studies delve into human behavior, while contributions to public health include advancements in cancer treatment and cardiovascular research. The celebration also honors the impact of events like 9/11 on society. Yale remains dedicated to its commitment to accessibility, privacy, and academic freedom, as outlined in its Bylaws.

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