<p>Hi guys, an honest question: Have any other admitted students here received an email from their Yale admissions officer offering a spot for Directed Studies without needing to apply?</p>
<p>I didn't declare that as an intended major in my application (put down History), and I'm curious as to how this email came about. It includes a congratulations as apparently not many receive the offer, although I'm interested as to how true this is (honestly, partly because I'm curious if this is something to be proud of, but partly because I wouldn't expect to receive such an offer).</p>
<p>I'm intimidated by the idea of DS as a selective program in an already hyper-selective school, because of both the ability and intellectual interest that it demands. I'm far from an academic star, and while I take interest in the humanities and learning for learning's sake, I am also very career-oriented student and politically minded.</p>
<p>Since receiving the email, however, I've been taking a second look. I'd also appreciate any thoughts from Yale students about the DS program, especially for a student who's career-oriented, politically-minded (looking to major in Polisci or EPE) but still interested in the material. Thanks for reading! :)</p>
<p>My daughter got one and was very excited by it. I’ve heard good things about it in the past…</p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6300 using CC App</p>
<p>(Sorry I’m not going to be particularly helpful but) congratulations!</p>
<p>Pretty sure I didn’t get that.</p>
<p>My friend got a likely letter from Yale that invited him to DS. He sat in on a DS class when he went to visit last weekend and said it was good, but not so impressive. I may ask him about it again and get back to you (but I may forget, too).</p>
<p>As I recall, about 30-50 students a year take DS by direct invitation. (I’m not sure how many they invite but “yield” seems to come in around 40). The remaining spots are filled by application to get a class of about 120.</p>
<p>Something in your application suggested to them that you might be interested in DS, and its not as simple as having been explicit about your interest in it.</p>
<p>Here is a thorough description by a recent DS student: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9308975-post6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9308975-post6.html</a></p>
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<p>If he only sat in on the lecture, then he could not have got a good idea of the class, because most of the action happens in the discussion sections. </p>
<p>My daughter is currently in DS, she absolutely loves it, but yes, it does consume a big part of her life. It also consumed a big part of her spring break. </p>
<p>My advice for OP would be to do it if you genuinely enjoy literature, philosophy, politics and history, really enjoy reading books and writing papers, and are not too hung up on getting straight A’s in college. </p>
<p>Getting pre-accepted to DS is a sign that the people over in admissions think that the program is a good fit for you and that you will probably be able to cope with the work load.</p>
<p>Just looked at it and I wish I had been offered it! Looks absolutely amazing and will definitely be applying for it (if it fits in with my intended majors)…</p>