If you’re looking to go Ivy for college, it helps to be specific in your application and essays. Not only does knowing what you want to do help with the apps, but it also helps you construct a clear set of goals for yourself. However, because college websites seem to be in a competition for “worst navigation,” it can be hard to find the niche programs that fit into your niche.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most interesting programs at Yale. They include majors, minors, summer programs, certificates, and even international programs! Fancy!
Urban Studies
Urban Studies is both an exploration of the city and a degree in urban planning. It’s interdisciplinary (which, if you’re a frequent reader of the blog, these schools just love interdisciplinary programs) and draws on “urban design and development, urban and architectural history, urban theory and representation, globalization and infrastructure, transportation and mobility, heritage and preservation, and community-based planning.” A super interesting major if you want more of the sociopolitical context behind how cities function.
Summer Session
This is not only open to current Yale students, but also to visiting students and high school students. If you’re looking to get some classes out of the way, dive deeper into a particular topic that isn’t in your major (cough, nerd, cough) (just kidding!) (sort of), there are a ton of programs you can take!
Summer Drama Program
Yale is known for its Drama program, with actors like Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver among their alumni. You can either take an intensive course in directing or participate in the 5-week Conservatory for actors. We aren’t saying you’ll become Meryl… but maybe?
Yale x Flatiron Web Development Bootcamp
Great for anyone looking to get their foot in the door of the coding world, this 10-week course “Introduction to Full-Stack Web Development” (which is worth 2 Yale credits) will teach you all the basics of programming.
Writers’ Workshop
You get to work with a small group of writers, 10-12, and have access to authors, editors, agents, and publishers through lots of different panels, discussions, and workships. A dream!
The Program on Ethics, Politics and Economics
Another interdisciplinary program, it was “designed to foster informed debate about public policy in the light of disciplined reflection on the fundamentals of human association.” Basically, you can’t have knowledge of politics or economics without considering the ethical implications.
South Asian Studies (second major only)
This can only be taken as a second major to supplement your existing field of study. It adds an in-depth look into the social, political, and economic cultures of South Asian countries. You also need to take a South Asian language in addition to the major. Pairs nicely with a humanities major.
Computer Science and Psychology
If you’re interested in combining comp sci with psych, boy oh boy do we have a major for you. Eight classes must be computer science, while six come from psych – and within the psych requirement, some have to be more science-based, while others focus on the more social aspects of the field.
Yale-NUS College
In 2009, Yale and the National University of Singapore created “Singapore’s first liberal arts college with a full residential program that integrates living and learning.” You can take classes from both NUS and Yale, and by graduating from this college you become an alumna of both parent institutions. Law, Public Health, Computing, and Public Policy are among some of the available majors.
Ethnicity, Race, and Migration
Diasporas! That’s a big theme of this major. You can learn about how, where, and why different ethnic groups ended up where they are, history of migration patterns, and how migration exists in the current day. There’s also a ton of research opportunities in this major for undergraduates.
Special Divisional Majors
Does nothing at Yale meet your exact needs? Are you interested in a topic or major, but feel like it doesn’t go deep enough into your passions? No worries, just make your own major. They do seem to warn you a bit in the bulletin that this might make it harder to access departmental resources, but if you’re able to secure your own advisor, the sky is the limit.
Human Rights
While not a distinct major, students interested in studying human rights can get a certificate through the Schell Center. You take six classes in the subject and have access to events, lectures, workshops, and symposiums. This is great if you’re interested in pursuing human rights work after college.
So there you have it, a bunch of cool programs that can help you a) figure out what you want to do, and b) give your applications the extra spice they need.
If you’re thinking about applying to Yale and want some help with your essays and application – reach out to one of our counselors today. We are experts on the process and can help you every step of the way.