Whether you have your heart set on attending one of the Ivy League schools or you’re dreaming of becoming a Bulldog, one of the most important things you need to know is what the Yale University acceptance rate is and how can I improve my chances of getting accepted? For answers to these questions and more, be sure to keep reading.

What is the Yale University Acceptance Rate?

The Yale University acceptance rate is one of the most competitive in the Ivy League, coming in at 6.3% for its latest batch of applications. Harvard, Princeton, and Yale regularly compete for the top spot as the most exclusive school in the Ancient Eight. So how good do you have to be in order to get in?

•   95% of accepted students were in the top 10% of their class
•   78% of ACT scores were between 32 and 36
•   Roughly 50% of SAT scores were between 760 and 800

In order to be part of the Yale University acceptance rate, you need to be the best of the best. Remember, a little over 30,000 applications were received by their admissions department and not even 2,000 were accepted. As an Ivy League school, it has a very competitive admissions process. With that in mind, let’s talk about how we can improve your chances of being accepted.

How to Put the Odds in Your Favor for Yale

I know things probably look a little bleak after reading over the Yale University acceptance rate and how competitive their admissions process is, but it’s not impossible for you to be accepted! Let’s break down some actionable steps for you to take to increase your odds of being accepted to Yale. Remember that even if you aren’t accepted to Yale, there are plenty of schools who will happily welcome you as one of their own. More on that later.

When you're preparing yourself for an Ivy League school like Yale, you have to approach the application process much differently than you would a less competitive school. That’s because standing out and being memorable in your application is even more critical when you’re handling the Yale University acceptance rate. So let’s take a look at how you can do that.

Tell a Story with Your App.

Pick your academic strength, hopefully in one of the main areas of study like math or English and be the best at it. Make sure that everything in your application supports this focus. From extracurricular activities to the classes you take, your application serves as your evidence for your claim: I’m the best and that’s why I belong here. Yale knows what kind of student it wants and this will help you catch their attention.

The reason this works is, because so many high schools enforce the idea that you have to be a well-rounded student. And while it’s a good idea, come college application time, Yale is essentially wading through a ball pit of applications. Colors might be different, but it’s easy for everyone to blend in. By creating a focus to your app, you’re molding yourself into a different shape. This means you stand out from the ball pit and are easily a more memorable candidate.

ACT or SAT Scores

Your test scores need to be at the top to be seriously considered by Yale. This is a fact you can’t get around. I recommend you start by taking the practice exams, the Pre-ACT and the PSAT. Doing this allows you to figure out which test you’re more comfortable with and which one you perform better on. Investing in tutoring is probably one of the most undervalued ways to improve your test score. Working one-on-one with someone who is a top scorer in whichever standardized test you’re taking lets you learn from the best. You’ll be able to learn from them and increase your chances of getting a score that fits with the Yale University acceptance rate.

What Other Schools Like Yale Can You Apply To?

I always recommend a back up plan, especially when you’re applying to the Ivy League. Below, you’ll find a list of schools with similar goals and values to Yale. Make sure you check out their admissions requirements since they will be a bit different from what we’ve discussed here.

With an acceptance rate just over 6%, Yale University is one of the most competitive schools in the country and the Ivy League. Competitiveness aside, there are ways for you increase your odds of being accepted. It requires some strategic planning, a college consultant, and a study schedule that you stick to no matter what’s thrown your way.

Do you want to be a Bulldog? What focus is your application going to have? Tell us in the comments section below.