Hey! International student here, from Europe though (France, specifically). I plan on applying SCEA as well - I’m trying to focus on my essays ATM, as I feel they could be the tipping point between the “admit” and “reject” piles. Any applicants from Europe ? 
Hello there! I’m a public high school student and I intend on applying SCEA. Thanks to everyone for the resources on this thread.
I’ve started on my essays; much of my academic strength lies in my writing ability, but I sometimes struggle to write about myself. The “Why Yale” essay should be pretty easy for me, if I don’t end up sounding like a huge fan girl! (Any other “Why [insert college]” essay will be a struggle, with a few exceptions. I’m so dead set on Yale that I struggle to fully appreciate other colleges.) I’d love to interact with other applicants during this process. It’s stressful, but at least we are all in this together! Best of luck to you all!
Is the Why Yale essay the essay that asks us to talk about something not in our applications?
@mayathepapaya , no, the “Why Yale” essay prompt is something like “What in particular about Yale has influenced your decision to apply? Please limit your response to the space provided. (500 characters)”
Short takes are from prior years, but I don’t think they change much. In an case, they are short
Short Takes: (175 characters each)
- What would you do with a free afternoon tomorrow?
- What is the best piece of advice you have received in the last three years?
- If you could witness one moment in history, what would it be and why?
- What do you wish you were better at being or doing?
- What is something about which you have changed your mind in the last three years?
@IxnayBob, I’m confused. I haven’t followed Yale applications for a while, so I don’t know if those are from previous years, or if they are in addition to the supplemental essay that @mayathepapaya mentioned, which was listed on the Yale admission site for 2015-2016:
@renaissancedad, I think the short takes are part of the Yale supplement to the common application. As I said, they are from previous years (2012 I think), but I think they’re the same as what DS had last year. In a few weeks, we will all know
The mistake lies in the poster’s labelling: it’s not a “Why Yale” essay – it’s a “Why Yale” question and answer which is limited to 500 characters.
Like IxnayBob said. 500 characters is 3-4 sentences. This is NOT an essay.
@T26E4, thank you for the clarification. Now everything makes sense. I thought that a Common App essay + two different 500 word essays + some short response questions seemed like a lot.
Potential engineering majors are asked for an additional piece – I dunno how long it’s to be, however
The short answer questions are pretty, somehow difficult since you might not know what to really write.
Those short questions are on the supplement. My D’s answer to what she would do on a free afternoon - spend time perfecting her vegan bread recipe!! Be yourself on these questions. They help the AdComs get to know you.
@Tperry1982 Thank you for the advice.
Is anyone else experiencing that the Yale specific questions aren’t posted on the common app? How do we know that we still have to do the “short takes” and the “Why Yale?” question if it doesn’t say so on the website…? thanks!
@sartreanlife , as has been noted elsewhere, the Yale supplement will be available September 1. I’ll bet you a pizza that “Why Yale” is part of it.
Hi guys! The Yale supplement is now out!! Happy applying 
heart begins to pound
anyone care to share the supplement?
You can now see the supplement questions on the common app
Hopefully some of you guys can answer my question. If I’m taking the October ACT (which Yale accepts), do I have to report the score directly to Yale, as the score will be released after their early deadline, or can I wait to see my score and then decide if I want to report? I will be sending in my score from the June ACT at the time I apply.
@kuriosmind, If you’re planning to submit your June ACT, you would IMO be ethically required to ask for the score to be directly sent. I personally would regard sending June and then “forgettting” to send October unless it was a high score to be unethical. I expect that Yale AOs would see through the ruse.