CEA's Guide to Yale's "Intellectual Interest" Essay

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down Yale's 250-word "Intellectual Interest" essay, which reads, "Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it?"

Watch more videos:
What does an admissions officer really want from a college essay?:    • College Essay Tips | What Admissions Offic...  
Tips for writing a memorable closing line:    • College Essay Tips | How To Write a Memora...  

Work with us:
Learn about our one-on-one advising services: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/...
Let us connect you with an Advisor:
https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/...

Follow us on social:
Facebook:   / collegeessayadvisors  
Twitter:   / collegeessayadv  
Instagram:   / collegeessayadvisors  
Website: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/

More Resources:
Check out our Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/...

The "Why Yale?" prompts:
1. Students at Yale have plenty of 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.
2. Why do these areas appeal to you? (100 words or fewer)
3. What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

"Short Takes" (Please respond in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words), to each of the following questions):

What inspires you?
Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What would you ask them to discuss?
You are teaching a Yale course. What is it called?
Yale students embrace the concept of “and” rather than “or,” pursuing arts and sciences, tradition and innovation, defined goals and surprising detours. What is an example of an “and” that you embrace?

"Intellectual Interest" Essay:
Please use the short essays below to reflect on topics and personal experiences that will help the Admissions Committee learn more about you.
1. Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it? (250 words or fewer)

Applicants submitting the Common Application, answer one of the prompts below in 250 words or less:

a.) Reflect on a community to which you feel connected. Why is it meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.
b.) Reflect on something that has given you great satisfaction. Why has it been important to you?