Here’s the question: You are teaching a Yale course. What is it called?
Are you supposed to answer using a current Yale course? Or could you answer according to, well if I was a lecturer at Yale, I would call my course. _____.
Help!
you are making up a course about a particular interest of yours.
You certainly could pick a current Yale course, but that approach would be boring and not demonstrate much about yourself – which is the reason for those short answer questions; an Admissions Officer wants to get to know you and understand what makes you tick. If you rephrase the question, an approach might become apparent: “What do YOU love so much, and do so well, and are so passionate about, that you could teach a course in it at Yale?” And remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an academic subject.
Good advice @gibby. As always!!
Thank you. Very helpful.
@gibby So, could it be a simple intellectual and strange activity I simply enjoy?
^^ It’s more than enjoy – you should have some expertise in the subject area to teach a course in it. For example, while I enjoy doing crossword puzzles, I’m not nearly good enough to teach a course in how to construct a crossword puzzle. However, several teenagers (15-16-17 year olds who are applying to college) have created New York Times crossword puzzles. Those students could certainly teach a course in the subject! Are you an expert in this simple intellectual and strange activity? If so, then yes – it could be that!
If that question would have been posed to my son I expect he would have suggested a course on blindfolded solving the Rubik’s Cube. For those who haven’t seen this, it’s mind boggling (and it’s real).