One of the best ways to get a leg up on top college admission is by getting in early. No, I am not talking about Early Action or Early Decision applications, but summer college sessions offered for high school students. While several of America’s top schools offer summer programs, such as Brown, University of Chicago, Columbia, Harvard, Northwestern, and Stanford; we believe the best program for Australian students is the Yale Young Global Scholars Program.
The Yale Young Global Scholars Program is an intense two-week summer program, providing talented, motivated high school students with interdisciplinary, college-level study, and a taste of American university life. In 2014, 48% of enrolled students came from outside the US, and represented 80 different countries. This dynamic encourages growth in global understanding and enforces the establishment of international networks that last long after summer is over.
While admission into Yale Young Global Scholars Program is very selective, applications are reviewed holistically and there are no minimum GPA or test score requirements. Favorable candidates demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership potential as well as interest in the program’s content.
While the Yale Young Scholars Program offers three programs each summer, only one complies with the Australian High School time table; the ‘Politics, Law and Economics’ course. This course is “aimed at students with an interest in understanding American legal principles, economic ideas, and values and practices of government in historical and comparative perspectives.” (http://globalscholars.yale.edu/programs/politics-law-and-economics-program-ple)
Using the material from this class, students consider potential solutions for important contemporary problems while developing an understanding of social systems well beyond the borders of the United States. Some of the topics covered include civil rights, democratic institutions, market regulation, freedom of speech, the American presidency, and comparative constitutions.
The application requires one 500-word essay and three 200-word responses, as well as two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a resume and SAT, ACT, TOEFL test scores (if taken). Only current year 10 and year 11 students may apply.
Applications for summer 2015 are due February 26th, 2015.Tuition is $5,250 USD, and includes room and board, linens, insurance, and processing fees. In addition, there is a $55 fee for each application submitted, which can be paid online. The program also offers need-based financial aid. Yale Young Global Scholars is non-credit granting, and students do not receive grades, marks, or quantitative evaluations of their work. However, simply being accepted and attending this top school aggrandizes one’s resume and will undoubtedly bolster one’s extracurricular list in college applications.
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