Eli Whitney 2010 Applicants

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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<p>Anyone else applying to Yale's Eli Whitney Program this year?</p>

<p>I found this site while searching for the statistics on how many people applied last year; some people said 80, some 180. Looks like there were 15 people accepted. Applicants who chatted here seemed to focus on GPA and test scores, but it seems to me that a significant degree of professional success is their main criteria for acceptance. It looks like an incredibly competitive program - best of luck to all who are throwing their hat in the ring.</p>

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<p>Hi Hopeful,</p>

<p>I’m an EWSP applicant and a frequent lurker on this board. It’s easy to become intimidated by the statistics. EWSP seems to have a lower acceptance rate (percentage-wise) than Yale as a whole and there are some incredibly accomplished and deserving students in the program. </p>

<p>The statistics, however, are just that: statistics. My feeling is that a 93% rejection rate is only meaningful if you’re rejected. I realize that I am competing against some absolutely stellar applicants. Collective brilliance aside, only Fortune and the admissions committee hold the keys to the kingdom. I will say that I have been very bored ever since I finished my application.</p>

<p>It’s difficult to determine-at least from my vantage point as an applicant-what it is they look for when they accept a candidate into the program. From everything I have gathered, it may just be that “they know one when they see one.” </p>

<p>There’s been a psychological warfare approach to this on the board (and undoubtedly in the application process): I’ve noticed that applicants who are in their mid-20’s play up their GPAs and community involvement while the older applicants play up their career successes (a recurring theme seems to be “I started a business and dropped out of college to become a millionaire”) and life experience (“I traveled to the Congo to rescue babies from a burning orphanage, then rebuilt the orphanage by hand.”)</p>

<p>That being said, I hope this thread stays slightly more genteel than the 2009 version, which seemed to be fertile ground for the most inane types of internet scandal, drama, and self-serving ballyhoo. </p>

<p>It’s still a month out on the deadline, so I don’t think we’ll be hearing anything until after April 1, but who knows? Fortune and the admissions committee may have other plans.</p>

<p>For God, Country, and (hopefully) for Yale,</p>

<p>Sign me,</p>

<p>B2</p>

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<p>Hey guys me 2!!! me 2!!! I’m in the club! </p>

<p>I applied to EWSP this year. I am so excited just to apply. Yes, I agree I looked at last year’s threat and it scared me a bit. I know that to some degree everyone applying has a certain niche they fit into. Everyone is different and so are their experiences. However, nothing we say on here about ourselves matters. On a webpage you can be anyone or anything you want, but on those official papers. The ones Marianne is carefully putting in order and marking requirements filled… that’s the real deal. Ultimately, only the adcom can determine who is who. More importantly, who is Yale, Eli Whitney, and who represents the embodiment of what the program stands for. </p>

<p>That being said… (I hope I get an interview, I hope I get an interview, I hope I get an interview…)</p>

<p>~V~</p>

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<p>V-</p>

<p>I absolutely agree. From the looks of the posts of some of the applicants on the 2009 thread, one might think that they had convinced themselves that their online personas were going to be considered by the admissions committee.</p>

<p>Old Blue is the ONLY school I am applying to. If not Old Blue, then it’s all the same to me. I have friends who ask me why I haven’t applied to Harvard, Brown, Princeton et. al. Those are all fine schools: top notch institutions full of history and tradition.</p>

<p>But they’re not Yale. </p>

<p>I am heading there over spring break. Are either of you planning to visit if you have not done so already? Have you both turned in your apps? </p>

<p>Did you staple or paperclip? That was my 11th hour decision, believe it or not…“what do they mean when they say ‘attach?’”</p>

<p>I stapled. And then I watched the Whiffenpoofs’ “Down by the salley gardens” video for the seven millionth time. ;)</p>

<p>For God, Country, and (hopefully) Yale,</p>

<p>I remain,</p>

<p>B2</p>

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<p>I have tentative plans to be in NYC in April, plus a couple of my friends are current students at Yale, so I’ll definitely visit if I make it out that way next month. My application is in but probably missing two items which still have plenty of time to find their way there.</p>

<br>

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<p>I understood “attach” non-literally, and just included the resume after that section. Until you asked this, it never even occurred to me to send anything but a stack of loose pages. I imagine a paperclip might have been appreciated, but in the big picture it’s not one of the more important elements of the application.</p>

<p>When I finalized my essays and resume, and my application was ready to submit, I felt like it gave an accurate and thorough picture of who I am. If it doesn’t happen, I can move on knowing I gave it my best.</p>

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<p>I’m always a little wary when I request my transcripts from my former colleges, so I made sure that I ordered those long before I even started the application. That’s the only thing that I am unsure of as far as actual paperwork goes.</p>

<p>I considered the loose-leaf approach. I also considered a folder, enclosing an 8x10 photograph, and sending them flowers on Valentine’s Day. I’m not kidding. Fortunately reason subdued passion and I did not clutter their offices with any plant-life.</p>

<p>What are you considering as your majors? I’m an English major.</p>

<p>Have you applied anywhere else, Hopeful? V?</p>

<p>This thread has a lot of lurkers. Come in, lurkers. Standing out in the cold won’t improve your chances. Might as well join the conversation.</p>

<p>For God, Country, and (hopefully) Yale–</p>

<p>B2</p>

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<p>Yeah, I’m lurking. I’m not applying until next year, so for now I will just hide in the shadows and gather data. ;)</p>

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<p>As for visiting…</p>

<p>I am waiting to see if I get “the call”… without it I believe a trip on campus would be heartbreaking especially if it was followed by “the letter” or even worse silightly preceeded by it!</p>

<p>I have applied to several schools… My state school (as a failsafe) and then all highly selective institutions including LACs… most have non-trad programs, not all. I have a feeling I stand out more for those that do not. But “Old Blue” is deep in my heart. First it’s the official color of my native land (I politely refer to is as the motherland and america is the homeland LOL). Secondly when people asked me as a child where I would go to school… I just made an angry puppy face a growl and said Bulldogs!!! Yes I was a determined 4 year old. I blame my brother. </p>

<p>I took attachment as figurative. I placed the app, followed by the statement page, followed by my resume, and then the personal essays. I was worried about where to place the check LOL afraid it would get lost! I submitted using a hard cardboard envelope to ensure proper appearance, and used special paper for my Resume and even debated adding fragrance (ala legally blonde).</p>

<p>Intended major is Biological Sciences/ Cognitive Neuroscience with a possible minor in English if I am allowed to. </p>

<p>My whole file should be complete with the exception of one recommendation letter. I filed all kinds of things way in advance. (I was so over excited I downloaded the old application in July, and had 2 rec letters by Nov).</p>

<p>Can you tell how anxious I am??? </p>

<p>~V~</p>

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<p>V-I love the “Legally Blonde” idea of adding the fragrance. I had the same fear about the check, so I put it in an envelope along with everything else. I hope the professors that I have asked to write recommendation letters have POURED THEIR HEARTS OUT.</p>

<p>I can’t wait for the call to visit. I already have a huge crush on Yale, so if I’m rejected it’s going to suck (sort of like how Harvard sucks, but probably worse…ha-ha-ha) regardless of whether or not I set foot on campus, so I’m going. </p>

<p>I didn’t think I’d be so high strung just a few days after sending in the application. It’ll probably be even worse after I get back from New Haven next week. </p>

<p>I don’t think about the possibility of rejection. I know it’s there. This is a bit like holding a lottery ticket before seeing the winning numbers. I spend a lot of time thinking about what it would be like to actually get into Old Blue, to carve a place for myself there; to end up where I wanted to be in the first place. </p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, were the essay requirements the same on the old application? From what I’ve read, it sounds like they only had to write one essay rather than two.</p>

<p>For God, Country, and (hopefully), Yale–</p>

<p>B2</p>

<p>P.S. Have any of you applied to summer school there? There’s a writing course I really want to take.</p>

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<p>If it doesn’t happen, I plan to live out my days outside academia. I’m working on my second book right now, and if I don’t make the cut at Yale I have plans to return to NYC in August to get back into the dance world there. I know I’ll be very happy that way, but my hope in completing my degree is to be able to help other people be happy too - people who might not have had all the luxuries and privileges of a white middle class American, - not just continue nurturing my own private paradise in the East Village. Either way I’ll be happy, but I really hoped to be able to make a difference.</p>

<p>Intended major is Anthropology, possibly followed by graduate work in Economics.</p>

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<p>J M, I forgot to say hi and welcome to the thread. I wish you the best of luck when you apply next year.</p>

<p>Hopeful–very cool and commendable. Were you a choreographer/performer/director? </p>

<p>For God, Country, and (hopefully) Yale,</p>

<p>B2</p>

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<p>This should be of interest to you:</p>

<p>I pulled this via the “wayback machine’s” internet archive. There’s a bit more information here than there seems to be currently. Please note that it is NOT current. </p>

<p>(Source: [Special</a> Students | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://web.archive.org/web/20061231192648/www.yale.edu/admit/whitney/eli/index.html]Special”>Special Students | Office of Undergraduate Admissions) )</p>

<p>Application</p>

<p>The Eli Whitney Students Program has been designed for those men and women who have not had the opportunity to begin or to complete their formal college education because of previous or continuing family or job responsibilities.</p>

<p>Anyone who holds a high school or GED diploma is eligible to apply.</p>

<p>Applicants to the Eli Whitney Students Program must present an official record of all secondary school and college or university study and three letters of recommendation. Results of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) are also usually required for admission. In addition to these qualifiations, the standard for admission to the degree-granting Eli Whitney program will be equivalent to that applied to candidates for regular admission to Yale College, recognizing that in assessing more mature candidates, relatively more weight should be given to achievement than potential. There is an application fee of $75.</p>

<p>Academic Requirements</p>

<p>To qualify for a Yale degree students are required to take no fewer than two course credits in the humanities and arts, two course credits in the sciences, and two course credits in the social sciences. In addition to completing courses in these disciplinary areas, students must fulfill skills requirements by taking two course credits in quantitative reasoning, two course credits in writing, and courses to further their foreign language proficiency. Depending on their level of accomplishment in foreign languages at matriculation, students may fulfill this last requirement with one, two, or three courses or by a combination of course work and approved study abroad. A student must successfully complete a total of thirty-six term courses. At least eighteen of them must be earned at Yale while enrolled as a student in the Eli Whitney Students Program. As many as eighteen course credits earned at another college or university may be transferred toward the requirement for the degree. Credit will be awarded for academic courses that were taken at an accredited post-secondary institution and that were similar in content to Yale College courses. Grades of A or B are expected. No more than one-quarter of courses accepted for transfer toward the requirements for the degree may have grades of C. Students in the Eli Whitney Students Program are governed by the Academic Regulations of Yale College and by the rules explained in the publication Undergraduate Regulations.</p>

<p>Degree candidates have two options for a Yale degree: B.A. or B.S. Students typically select one of the two degree options after taking at least two courses in each of the three Distributional Groups and after consultation with the Director of the Eli Whitney Students Program.</p>

<p>Students pursuing the B.A. or B.S. will typically take between eleven and fourteen courses in their major and must meet the Distributional Requirements of Yale College. The thirty-six course credits taken at Yale or elsewhere by Degree candidates must include at least three term courses in each of the three Distributional Groups. In Group IV, at least two of the three course credits must be in the natural sciences.</p>

<p>Group I includes courses in English and foreign languages and literatures, ancient and modern. Group II includes courses in architecture, art, classical civilization, film, history of medicine, history of science, humanities, music, philosophy, and religious studies. Group III includes courses in anthropology, archaeology, economics, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, and sociology. Group IV includes courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, forestry and environmental studies, geology and geophysics, mathematics, molecular biophysics and biochemistry, physics and statistics.</p>

<p>In addition, to qualify for the Yale degree, a student must demonstrate competence at the intermediate level in a language other than English.</p>

<p>The Eli Whitney Student Program is designed to meet the needs of students unable to attend college full time. Normally, Eli Whitney Students may take no more than 6 credits during the regular academic year (not including Yale Summer Programs courses). However, in one year and one year only, they may take 8 credits during the regular academic year.</p>

<p>Residential College Affiliation</p>

<p>Degree candidates are affiliated with Residential Colleges, are advised by the Residential College Deans, and may participate in the many activities which take place in the colleges. However, they are not eligible to live in the Residential Colleges or in University housing.</p>

<p>No person who was ever a student in Yale College is eligible to apply to the Eli Whitney Students Program before five years have elapsed since withdrawal from Yale College. See Chapter IV, Section M, of the Yale College Programs of Study (YCPS) for further important information.</p>

<p>Advising</p>

<p>Assistance in the selection of courses and academic counseling is provided by the director of the Eli Whitney Students program, a member of the Yale College Dean’s Office. A student’s primary academic adivsor is his or her residential college dean.</p>

<p>Facilities</p>

<p>Students in this program have the use of the libraries, laboratories, computer facilities, and other facilities that are necessary for their course work.</p>

<p>For the appropriate fees, students may apply for university parking and join the Payne Whitney Gymnasium. Eli Whitney Students may join the Yale Health Plan on a self-pay basis. Dining hall meal plans are also available.</p>

<p>Tuition and Fees</p>

<p>Application fee: $75</p>

<p>Tuition: $2,500.00 per course credit. Most courses are 1 credit. Labs are 1/2 credit; languages are 1 1/2 credits.</p>

<p>Yale employees are entitled to a tuition reduction as determined by the Office of Human Resources.</p>

<p>Yale College Programs of Study</p>

<p>The Yale College Programs of Study (YCPS) contains a detailed description of the courses offered in Yale College as well as the Academic Regulations of Yale College. The YCPS may be purchased at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 38 Hillhouse Avenue, for $3. It may also be ordered by mail for $5. Mail orders should enclose a check or money order for $5 payable to Yale University.</p>

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<p>And this from the old FAQ:</p>

<p>(Source: [Eli</a> Whitney Students | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://web.archive.org/web/20070104212235/www.yale.edu/admit/whitney/eli/faq.html]Eli”>Eli Whitney Students | Office of Undergraduate Admissions))</p>

<p>What are the differences between the Eli Whitney Program and Yale’s other two admissions programs, Freshman Admissions and Transfer Admissions?
In the Eli Whitney Students Program, preference is given to applicants whose work/life experience and community involvements promise to add unusual dimensions to undergraduate life in the classroom. Eli Whitney Students do not take a full course load though they have the option of attending full-time by individual request for one or two semesters.</p>

<p>Eli Whitney Students are not eligible for financial aid and do not reside on campus. Freshman and transfer students are full-time students, are eligible for need-based financial aid, and in most cases live on campus.</p>

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<p>I’m certain at least some of that is not longer true. For example, Eli Whitney students <em>do</em> attend full-time if they want. Caveat lector.</p>

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<p>And E.W. students <em>are</em> now eligible for financial aid. I don’t think you should have posted this – the reason it’s not there anymore is because it’s no longer true.</p>

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<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I am a current EW student and was admitted last year. There is not much out there about the EW program so last year this was an incredible resource. Unfortunately, things did take a bit of a tumble. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen this time around. I intend to check this intermittently (especially now that Spring Break has started) and would be happy to answer questions about the program or Yale. There are a lot of myths out there about both and I hope to provide at least a little clarity. </p>

<p>A couple things I noticed off the bat. This past year they took 8 out of 150. From what I have heard from administrators/admissions people, there is no set quota. It feels like there is growing support for the program amongst people who matter here - I think many feel (and I agree) this group adds something special to the community. So I’ve definitely feel well supported, respected, and cared about - at least as much as undergraduates (which is a lot). Regarding financial aid, the program was completely retooled in 2007 in favor of almost complete integration - including full financial aid. Ours was the second class under this iteration of the program. So any of the old literature out there about the program is almost completely wrong. Please disregard it.</p>

<p>I look forward to seeing some of you in the Fall! If you get an interview, please PM me and I will try and find a student here over the summer to meet you and take you around. </p>

<p>And obviously, best of luck. About a year ago, I was filled with the exact same anxiety you might feel now. I really do hope having active students active on this forum helps demystify things.</p>

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<p>Deusex–</p>

<p>Thanks so much for dropping in and for your kind words and wishes. The numbers of it no longer worry me. If Yale wants somebody, they’ll take him or her. It’s not, as you pointed out, like there are a dozen spots they have to fill or a certain quota to meet. </p>

<p>Really glad you decided to post in this thread.</p>

<p>And now I will have a slice of humble pie…</p>

<p>Regarding the old information:</p>

<p>Agreed, it was an error on my part to post it. I especially regret the line:</p>

<p>“There’s a bit more information here than there seems to be currently.” :/</p>

<p>I apologize if this has caused any confusion: that was never my intention. </p>

<p>Readers and lurkers: To clarify, please note that current information on the EWSP may be found at: [How</a> to Apply | Eli Whitney Students Program | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/admit/other/whitney/application.html]How”>http://www.yale.edu/admit/other/whitney/application.html)</p>

<p>The usual caveats and disclaimers apply. </p>

<p>I remain,</p>

<p>As usual–</p>

<p>B2</p>

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<p>I’m also a current EW and will just gladly second everything the big D said. I’ll be around during spring break if you plan to come by and also will be in classes for most of the summer, so feel free to shoot me a line if you’ll be out our way. You’ll find the EW group is a very inviting mass of people from all walks. Don’t get discouraged with the process. It’s worth every second of it. Good luck to all and hope to see you soon!</p>

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<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’m considering applying to the Eli Whitney program next year, but I’m not clear about what I can do to get in… </p>

<p>I graduated from high school in 1999 with B’s and C’s and then I dropped out of college after failing a bunch of classes. My career hasn’t be great either and I’ve never done anything remarkable. On the other hand, I’m retaking the SATs and I’m sure I’ll have a perfect score. And nailing the essay won’t be a problem for me either.</p>

<p>Is there anything I can do to make myself Yale worthy, or am I pretty much crossed off the list already? If I am, where do you suggest I apply? I’d be majoring in English or Comp. Lit. with plans to attend law school at Yale or Harvard when I’m done with my BA. </p>

<p>I’m pretty smart, I was just a slacker when I was younger…</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

<p>Andea</p>

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<p>Hi deusex + Bulldog - thanks for the kind open offers. I think what I might find most helpful is a fuller picture of who the successful Eli Whitney candidates are. I understand that each case is unique and there’s no one “type,” but the three or four profiles of EW students they’ve offered in print seem to set the bar impossibly high - an Olympic gold medalist, a CEO at Penguin Books. That’s incredibly discouraging. It’s comforting to look back and see that deusex was also anxious at this point though and even said “I am more pessimistic now about my chances though I wish everyone well.” And now, a year later, there you are.</p>

<p>You mentioned 8 of 150 applicants were admitted – do you happen to know how may of the 150 were offered interviews?</p>