Ivy League
Yale University Transfer Requirements
Small transfer cohort with holistic review.
Overview
Small transfer cohort with holistic review.
Under 2% transfer admission rate
GPA and units
Minimum units: At least one year of college (8+ Yale course credits equivalent)
Realistic GPA range: 3.8+
Competitive GPA: 3.9+
SAT / ACT and testing
Test optional (scores considered if submitted)
| Test | Typical range (if submitted) |
|---|---|
| SAT (ERW + Math) | 1470–1570 (if submitted) |
| ACT composite | 33–35 (if submitted) |
Most selective privates are test-optional for transfers, but strong scores can still help borderline applicants. Policies change each cycle — confirm on the official site before registering for tests.
Application
Portal: Coalition Application or Common Application
Deadline: March 1
Essays typically required
- Coalition/Common App essay
- Yale supplement essays
General requirements
- Typically 1–2 years of full-time college coursework (often 60+ semester units or equivalent)
- Strong college transcript GPA — high school record carries less weight for transfers
- College courses in your intended major and strong writing ability
- Extracurricular impact, leadership, and a clear reason for transferring
- School-specific essays and often a college report / dean's statement
- Two college recommendations
- Test policies change by admission cycle. Always confirm on the school's official transfer page before applying.
Recommended courses & subjects
| Course / subject | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two college writing courses | Required | — |
| Foreign language | Recommended | — |
| Quantitative course (calculus or statistics) | Recommended | — |
| Courses in intended major | Required | — |
Major-specific notes
- Yale does not admit transfers to every major every year.
Transfer tips
- Demonstrate fit with Yale's residential college culture in essays.