Expand Your Academic and Cultural Knowledge
Study alongside Yale students and visiting students from around the world while taking Yale College courses in New Haven. Learn from Yale faculty, explore a new academic environment, and experience life on a U.S. university campus.
As a visiting international student, you’ll have access to Yale’s libraries, museums, and other campus resources while becoming part of a diverse summer community.
Yale Summer Session admits visiting students in two rounds: priority and rolling admissions. Apply early for the best selection of courses.
Before applying, keep the following in mind:
- Choose your courses thoughtfully. Select your desired courses in the online application and review course descriptions in advance to make sure they’re a good fit.
- Course changes are limited. Yale Summer Session does not have an Add/Drop period, and the window for changing courses is very limited.
- Admission means enrollment. Admission to a course or program constitutes enrollment. If you decide not to attend, you must withdraw by submitting the Change Form by the applicable deadline. Students who do not withdraw by the applicable deadline will receive a grade.
- Maximum enrollment: Full-time study is two courses, totaling two credits, per session. This is also the maximum enrollment allowed.
For more information, please refer to the Yale Summer Session Student Handbook for the relevant academic regulations.
Application Requirements
The following materials are required for visiting international student applications:
- An online Yale Summer Session application
- A non-refundable $80 application fee
- A University transcript, in English, that includes your Fall 2026 grades
- If your Fall 2026 grades are not yet available and you do not have any university-level grades, submit your high school transcript instead.
- Pre-college students: Review the Pre-College Students application page for additional requirements.
- Proof of English proficiency
- Required for applications to Yale Courses for Credit if you attend a school or university where English is not the language of instruction, or if you have not completed 2.5 years of coursework taught primarily in English. See below for the full details.
- English proficiency scores are not required for applicants to the English Language Institute (ELI).
[cal] Please refer to the Dates and Deadlines page for all relevant deadlines. All supporting documentation must be received on or before the application deadline.
What Type of Transcript Do I Submit?
An academic transcript or record in English is required for your Yale Summer Session application. You may upload an unofficial transcript through the online application.
College and University Students
If you are currently enrolled in college or university, submit:
- A transcript from your current institution
- Transcripts from any previous colleges or universities you have attended
Your transcript(s) should include:
- Your name and the institution's name
- Dates of enrollment
- Courses or subjects taken and the credits or units awarded
- Final grades
Pre-College Students
If you are currently in high school or graduating from high school, please review the additional transcript and application requirements for pre-college students.
How We Evaluate Academic Records
Yale Summer Session uses a holistic admissions process and does not have a minimum GPA requirement. We look for students who are academically prepared to succeed in an accelerated five-week course.
You should be prepared to keep up with the pace of the course, complete college-level work, and participate actively in class discussions.
English Proficiency Requirements
Because Yale courses are taught in English, students taking courses for Yale credit must be able to communicate effectively in English in speaking and writing, understand classroom discussions, and read academic material.
English Proficiency Test Scores
International applicants whose primary language of instruction is not English must submit an approved English proficiency test score taken within the past two years.
Accepted Tests and Minimum Scores
| Test | Minimum Score | More Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (including iBT Home Edition) | 100 | 105+ |
| IELTS | 7.0 | 8.0+ |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | 130+ |
| Cambridge English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | 185 | 191+ |
Test scores must be uploaded to the application portal.
If your score is between the minimum and more competitive score, we strongly encourage you to take the Duolingo English Test proactively. The Admissions Committee may also ask applicants to take a recent Duolingo English Test if additional evidence of English proficiency is needed.
Medium of Instruction Form
If you have studied primarily in English for at least the past 2.5 years, you may submit a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Form instead of a test score.
A school official, such as a principal, counselor, or registrar, must complete and submit the form through the application system. Transcripts and certificates are not accepted as proof of English-language instruction.
Applicants whose secondary education was not primarily in English must submit an approved English proficiency test score.
[tip] Interested in strengthening your English?
Students whose English proficiency is near or below our minimum requirements may be interested in Yale's English Language Institute, which offers an immersive environment for strengthening English communication skills and learning about academic culture in the United States.
Interviews
Interviews are offered by invitation only and provide selected applicants with an opportunity to share additional information with the Admissions Committee. They cannot replace the English proficiency test.
Applicants cannot request an interview. Students selected for an interview will be contacted directly. Interviews are conducted via Zoom. Learn more about Zoom's system requirements.
Course Load and Full-Time Study
Online Study From Outside the U.S.
You may take one or two courses (1–2 credits) per session. Non-U.S. citizens studying remotely from outside the U.S. will not receive an I-20 and may not enter the U.S. on a visitor visa (B-1/B-2 or ESTA) to take Yale Summer Session courses.
In-person Study in the U.S.
F-1 students must enroll in at least two courses (2 credits) per session to maintain full-time status. You may meet this requirement by taking:
- Two in-person courses, or
- One in-person course and one online course
Science Courses With Labs
If you take a science course worth 1.5 credits, you must take an additional 1-credit course to meet the F-1 requirement. This 2.5-credit combination is considered an overload, so please consult the Dean of International and Summer Programs for Yale College before enrolling.
[point] If you're applying to an English Language Institute (ELI) program, please note that you cannot apply for courses for credit also. The ELI program is a full-time commitment if attending in-person.
If you hold a different type of U.S. visa, please upload the relevant documentation to your online application for review.
If you decide not to attend after admission, you must withdraw by submitting the Change Form on the YSS website. We will cancel your I-20 if you withdraw.
For In-Person Study: Insurance, Vaccinations, and Student Visa
If you will study in person at Yale Summer Session, you will need to meet Yale's requirements for health insurance, immigration status, and immunizations.
Required Health Insurance
Health insurance is required for students who receive an I-20. Yale Summer Session will enroll you in U.S.-based health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and charge the insurance fee to your Yale account. This requirement applies whether you live on or off campus.
U.S. citizens living outside the United States: If you are a U.S. citizen whose primary residence is outside the U.S. and you will travel to the U.S. on a U.S. passport, you may choose to purchase Yale Summer Session's health insurance. Indicate your preference in the online application.
Dependents: If your spouse or dependent children will accompany you, you may contact us after admission to ask about enrolling them in CISI coverage.
Lear more about Health Insurance for Visiting International Students.
Required Vaccination and Immunization Records
Yale University requires all students studying in person to submit required immunization and health forms before arriving on campus. You will not be allowed to attend in-person courses until all required forms are submitted and immunization requirements are met. You will submit your immunization records after admission.
Some immunizations may take a month or more to complete, so start the process as early as possible to ensure you meet the requirements before the start of Summer Session.
[point] Be sure to review all vaccination requirements and deadlines. Delays in submission may require you to switch to online courses (if available) and the cancellation of your I-20, or withdraw from Yale Summer Session if your immunization cannot be verified in time.
F-1 Student Visa
[point] If you plan to study in person at Yale Summer Session, you will need an F-1 student visa. Yale will issue an I-20 form to admitted students who meet the requirements for visa sponsorship.
Most students studying in person at Yale Summer Session must enter the United States in F-1 student status. You may not attend Yale Summer Session while in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or ESTA.
If you are currently in the U.S. in another immigration status, upload your current U.S. immigration documents with your application. We will review them and let you know whether you need an F-1 visa.
Documents Required for Your I-20
To receive your I-20, you must provide both a copy of the identity page of your passport and financial documentation.
Your passport submission must be a clear, legible copy, and valid from the time of application through the end of your course or program in Yale Summer Session.
Your financial documentation must:
- Be in English
- Clearly show your name
- Be less than six months old
- Show sufficient funds to cover the total cost of your Yale Summer Session program, including tuition, room and board, fees, and estimated living expenses
Acceptable documentation includes:
- Bank letter: An official letter from your bank confirming that you have sufficient funds, including the available dollar amount
- Bank statement: A statement showing sufficient funds to cover your total program costs
- Scholarship letter: An official letter on organizational letterhead confirming the amount of funding your scholarship will provide
If the funds are in a parent or guardian's account, you must also provide a letter from the account holder confirming that they will cover your expenses. The letter must include your name.
After You Receive Your I-20
After you are admitted, Yale Summer Session will issue your Form I-20 and email it to you with instructions for applying for your visa. You can expect to receive your I-20 approximately three weeks after receipt of the deposit and I-20 processing fee.
You will then need to:
- Pay the SEVIS fee
- Apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate
- Obtain your visa before traveling to the United States
Visa appointment wait times vary by country, so apply as early as possible and allow enough time to obtain your visa and make travel arrangements.
Canadian citizens: You need an I-20 and must enroll full time, but you do not need an F-1 visa stamp in your passport to enter the United States.
Learn more about applying for an F-1 student visa with Yale Office of International Students and Scholars.
Visa-Related Fees
There are three separate fees associated with the F-1 process:
| Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|
| Yale I-20 processing fee | Yale Summer Session |
| SEVIS fee | U.S. government |
| F-1 visa fee | U.S. government |
The Yale I-20 processing fee is nonrefundable.
If you withdraw from Yale Summer Session, you must notify us immediately. Your I-20 will be cancelled upon withdrawal.
Residential Information for Visiting International Students
During the summer, select Yale Residential Colleges (dormitories) are open, offering students a unique opportunity to experience campus life. Yale undergraduates serve as residential counselors, offering support and assistance. For more details about living on campus, be sure to visit our Living on Campus page.
International Pre-College Students
If you are an international high school student, please visit our pre-college page for further information and requirements.
