Yale is Yale. There isn’t much else like it anywhere else in the world. A member of the exclusive Ivy League, Yale is widely considered one of the best universities in the world. Despite that, it still feels like a small, close-knit school. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale has an urban campus with a classic collegiate feel.
About 6,750 undergraduate students call Yale home, and 30% of the students on campus are international, representing 124 countries. We could go into the many superlatives that apply to Yale, but that really doesn’t feel necessary. Ultimately, the university offers top student-athletes an opportunity to gain one of the most coveting diplomas in the world while competing in the sport they love alongside other talented players.
There are 35 varsity sports teams — 16 for men and 18 for women — at Yale, and nearly 800 students play on a varsity team. These teams compete in the Ivy League, of course, as the Ivy League is, in fact, an athletic conference. Yale is also a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Eastern College Athletic Conference.
Getting into Yale isn’t easy, though, even as an exceptional athlete. The overall acceptance rate is a mere 3.7%. So, how do you stand out from the nearly 60,000 applicants as a student-athlete? The key is starting early, communicating clearly, acting professionally, and being exceptional — on the field, track, or court, in the pool or the water, and in the classroom.
In this post, we’ll break down what student-athletes need to know about applying to Yale, whether they want to play casually or captain a varsity sport.
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What is Yale looking for in Student Athletes?
When Yale is looking at the applications of student-athletes, the bar is high. Simply being good at a sport — even being great — won’t get you into Yale. You must have the academic chops to go along with your athletic track record. It’s also important to know that Yale, as a member of the Ivy League, does not offer athletic scholarships. However, they do meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans, and over 50% of students receive financial aid. Since Yale can’t hang a carrot in front of you in the form of a scholarship, they rely on what they’re really good at to attract athletes. Namely, the brand name and the education that has built it. Ultimately, Yale is looking for students who can continue to build that brand through exceptionalism in the classroom and in their sport.
Recruited Athletes
To initiate the recruitment process, you first need to make sure that you are in an academic position to be a competitive applicant at Yale. Recruitment will give you a boost if you get the coaches on your side, but being a top scorer on the field doesn’t make up for low grades. Student-athlete applicants are expected to present an applicant profile that is easy to say yes to.
Next, you’ll need to review the Prospective Student-Athletes Resource Page for Yale. This page covers everything from what you need to do to maintain NCAA eligibility to how to initiate contact with coaches. You should also begin work putting together an ‘athletic resume’ spotlighting your greatest successes as a player and a team leader. In most cases, this should also include links to highlight videos.
Then, you need to go to the sport-specific page on the Yale athletics website. For example, this is the women’s soccer page. On that page, you need to click on two things. First, coaches. Get to know these people. Look up their professional and player histories and learn how they’ve gotten to where they are. Next, click on “More Links” and then “Recruiting Questionnaire.” This is where the game really gets started. Filling out the recruiting questionnaire is a very important first step towards Yale.
If you’re thinking “why not just contact the coaches first?” We understand your urgency and sense of efficiency, but the recruiting questionnaire exists for a reason. So do it. Next, you’ll want to reach out to the coaches. This is like applying for a job. You only have one chance to make a first impression, and as cheesy as that sounds it really is true. Focus on expressing your interest by succinctly emphasizing your athletic and academic successes and letting them know that you want to work with and learn from them.
Each year, between 180 and 210 athletes are “supported by a varsity coach,” through the admissions process. As you pursue recruitment, review what they expect to see from you academically and make sure that you aren’t pursuing your sport at the expense of your academic eligibility. You want to make the coaches job easy! If coaches are interested, you may be asked to do an official visit in your senior year, or even to have your application read early for assessment by the admissions office prior to even the early deadline. Remember, too, that Yale does not offer athletic scholarships. College won’t be cheaper because of your athletic prowess, but being a top athlete can greatly increase your chances of admission if you navigate the recruitment process smoothly.
Walk-Ons
Most of the spots on the most competitive Yale varsity teams are filled through recruitment, but there are still often spots that coaches need to fill. If you are too late for the recruitment boat, or aren’t 100% certain you want to play in college and so don’t want to commit, you should still initiate contact with the coaches through the recruitment questionnaire and an email to the coaching team. If they may have a spot available, they’ll direct you towards a try out or test period once you’re on campus.
Intramurals and Club Sports
If all this has you sweating, or if you play more than one sport, you should learn more about the intramural and club sports programs. The intramural program at Yale involves all 14 residential colleges, which compete against one another in more than 20 sports. They report that up to 50% of students play intramurals during their time at Yale. Some of the sports are expected, like basketball, but many are quirkier, like inner-tube water polo, broomball, and bowling.
If you’re nervous to try a sport you haven’t played before don’t worry too much. “One will find,” they say, ““high school varsity athletes competing on the same team as PE dropouts.” Over the course of the year, the Yale colleges strive to succeed in intramurals to rack up Tyng points and earn the Tyng Cup.
But if you want something more focused, competitive, and akin to a varsity sport without the pressure (or because a varsity sport version isn’t an option), Yale sponsors around 50 competitive club teams. While intramurals set teams from different Yale colleges against each other, club teams compete against other colleges and universities. The club teams range from rugby to downhill skiing, to fishing and skeet & trap shooting, and Yale teams have won national club sports championships in everything from wrestling to croquet.
Club sports are mostly co-ed, and open to all Yale undergraduate and graduate students. Teams are given a small budget and access to the Yale athletic facilities. The day-to-day operations are student-run, but there is administrative support from Yale.
If you are hooked on the idea of playing a sport at Yale, you’re not alone. The teams are in high demand, so definitely reach out to coaches early and communicate like the professional and exceptional student-athlete you are.
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