Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is one of the most globally diverse, two-week academic summer programs in the world. Serving 1,950 students from 150+ countries and all 50 U.S. states, YYGS distributes over $3 Million USD in need-based financial aid to both domestic and international students.
Our curriculum is highly collaborative, exposing participants to innovative topics while facilitating student discussions shaped by international perspectives. Students have the opportunity to participate in a STEM, social sciences, humanities, or cross-disciplinary track.
“Before the beginning of YYGS, I remember feeling nervous and questioned how the event would run. But, by day two, I realized that I didn’t need to worry. The YYGS Program questioned things I thought I knew, scratched beyond the surface level, and helped me effectively communicate my ideas and opinions. I’ve grown with a community of inspiring students, dedicated staff, and passionate professors. Words couldn’t even begin to describe this experience, but I am beyond grateful.” – Janine, YYGS Alumna, Ghana
Get Started:
| Step 1 | Review the YYGS eligibility criteria. |
| Step 2 | Review the YYGS application required components. |
| Step 3 | Review a PDF of a sample blank application, and start preparing to answer as many application questions as possible. |
| Step 4 | You will need to submit contact information for a parent/guardian, teacher, and/or official at your school. Reach out to them as soon as possible to review the PDF of a sample blank application with you, and be sure to collect the information you need. |
| Step 5 | Click APPLY NOW to start your YYGS application. Be sure to write down your email and password to access the application at a later time. |
| Step 6 | Check the “Review” page of the application to see if you are missing any required components, and re-visit any pages that require further information. |
| Step 7 | Once your application is complete, click on the “Review” page. Next click on the “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the page. |
| Step 8 | In your Applicant Status Portal, pay the $80 USD Early Action fee or $95 USD Regular Decision fee*.All YYGS application fees are non-refundable.
If you submitted a completed Fee Waiver request, then you can check your Applicant Status Portal to see when it is approved or denied. If your Fee Waiver Request is denied, then your application will not be reviewed until the YYGS application fee is paid. |
| Step 9 | Check your inbox for a YYGS confirmation receipt that indicates the successful submission of your application. Confirmation emails usually arrive within 24-48 hours of submission, due to occasional delays payment processing. |
Contact YYGS Staff with questions as you complete the application. The earlier you contact us, the more likely that we can help you by the deadline.
Decision Notification:
*Please review the Early Action and Regular Decision information for important, specific deadlines, dates, and times. Admissions decisions will be released by mid-December (for Early Action) and mid-March (for Regular Decision).
In order to apply to YYGS, applicants MUST fulfill all of the following requirements:
| Age | Be between the ages of 16-18 years old by July 19, 2026 (first day of Session III).* |
| English Fluency | Be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English. |
| Grade Level | Be a current high school sophomore or junior (or international equivalent). |
| Graduation Date | Be graduating in May/June 2027 or 2028 from the Northern Hemisphere, or in Nov./Dec. 2026 or 2027 from the Southern Hemisphere. |
| YYGS Participation | Be a first-time participant in YYGS. If you have participated in a YYGS session during a previous summer (2025 and prior), then you are not eligible to participate during YYGS 2026.
Please note: If you previously applied to YYGS but were not offered admission or were unable attend AND you meet the eligibility criteria noted above, then you are encouraged to re-apply for YYGS 2026. |
*Please Note: This rule is so that YYGS is in compliance with restrictions for running a summer program for minors, and no exceptions can be made.
YYGS accepts applications from ALL countries, and offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid to students from ALL countries.
Please register for our free Tuition & Financial Aid(link is external) webinar for more information.
For YYGS Residential students, the full program tuition for one, 2-week session is $7,000 USD.
Full tuition payment is due on December 17, 2025 for Early Action admits, and March 15, 2026 for Regular Decision admits.
Tuition fees are paid using a payment gateway, since YYGS uses external payment processors to accommodate both domestic and international applicants. Tuition payments can be subject to processing fees by the external payment processor (Slate or FlyWire). Students can access this gateway by logging into their application, which will direct them to the Application Status page.
| For domestic applicants | or anyone wishing to make payment in USD, including eChecks from U.S. bank account, or Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit or debit cards, our application will automatically route you to pay through Slate as the payment processor. |
| For international applicants | or anyone wishing to make payment in foreign currency, including bank wire, foreign credit or debit cards, and other native options, like Alipay and UnionPay, our application will automatically route you to pay through Flywire as the payment processor. |
Please register for our free Academics(link is external) webinar to learn more.
Yale Young Global Scholars emphasizes an open, exploratory, and collaborative approach to learning. Our program is designed to allow students to experience learning in a variety of different university contexts, from large lectures to small seminars, and even the spontaneous learning that happens outside the classroom in conversations with one another. Please visit the Residential Life webpage for a sample student schedule.
The curriculum ties together all YYGS sessions and is the foundation of the academic program. Students work with a different group of peers and learning contexts, which allows for a wide range of peer-to-peer interaction. These learning contexts include:
| Breakout Discussions | Dig deeper into lecture content by sharing knowledge, posing questions, and brainstorming real-world implications with a small group of peers. |
| Capstone Project | Brainstorm and explore a collaborative project under the mentorship of YYGS staff. |
| Family Time | Develop strong bonds with peers from around the world through identity reflection, courageous conversations, active listening, and fun social activities. |
| Lectures | Hear from accomplished Yale faculty and leading practitioners about the most important and relevant topics in their fields. |
| Seminars | Pursue your passion or find a new one through the 150+ unique and exciting seminars offered each summer. |
| Symposium | Join an immersive, hands-on activity to explore topics within your academic track. |
Please register for our free Residential Life(link is external) webinar to learn more.
YYGS Residential offers a rare opportunity for likeminded students from around the world to meet at Yale’s historic campus. Students spend two weeks living in college dormitories, eating at Yale dining halls, and learning in an environment that encourages student collaboration and diverse, global perspectives.
Our tentative 2026 schedule provides a snapshot of a day in the life of a YYGS student, with program curriculum running throughout the day. Please know that this schedule may be subject to change.
These scholarships can cover nearly full tuition, and you can apply when completing the YYGS application.
Join YYGS in unlocking your academic potential and fostering global connections!
Please register for our free Dual Webinar(link is external) for more information.
Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is a sister program to YYGS, and is designed for secondary students on the African continent. If you are interested in applying for both YYAS and YYGS, please take the following steps:
1) Submit the application for the program that you are most interested in (YYGS application or YYAS application*).
2) If you apply to YYGS, at the end of the application there is a section for you to indicate your interest in applying to the YYAS Program, too.
If you apply to YYAS, at the beginning of the application there is a section for you to indicate your interest in applying to the YYGS Program, too.
3) That’s it! By indicating your secondary interest, you will automatically be considered for both programs. After YYGS and YYAS applications are thoroughly reviewed, applicants will receive one offer of admission to either YYAS or YYGS.
Please Note: You can only create one application. Our system only recognizes one application, so if you create separate applications for each program, it’s likely your admissions decision will not be released and you will risk losing your chance for a spot in either program.
*For information about the YYAS program, application, eligibility requirements, and more, please visit the YYAS website.
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