Yale essay prompts
2026-27verified Yale University admissions
Short answer questions
All first-year applicants will respond to the following short answer questions:
Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.
No limit listed · Required
Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it?
200 words max · Required
Short takes
Common Application and Coalition Application only: respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words):
If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?
200 characters · Required
What is one aspect of yourself that you hope to grow or develop during college?
200 characters · Required
What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?
200 characters · Required
Essay
Common Application and Coalition Application only: respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer.
Choose 1 of the following.
Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?
400 words max · Optional
Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.
400 words max · Optional
Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?
400 words max · Optional
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the Yale essay prompts for 2026-27?
- Yale lists Short answer questions (2 prompts); Short takes (3 prompts); Essay (3 prompts, choose 1) for 2026-27.
- How many essays does Yale require?
- Yale requires 6 essays based on the published group instructions for 2026-27. The page lists 5 required and 3 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the Yale supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 200 words max, 200 characters, 400 words max.