In the weeks and months leading up to FSY, there are multiple steps in the process of getting students signed up, submitting all of the information needed, and ultimately coming to campus for FSY. Program staff will guide students through the detailed process but this page provides an overview of what students can expect.
Admissions & Invitation to FSY (February - May 1)
During the admissions review process, the Office of Admissions and Undergraduate Financial Aid (UFA) work together to determine eligibility for FSY and will issue invitations to selected first-year students who have been admitted and are identified as first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students. Invitations are issued in a few waves throughout February - April to fill a cohort. It is possible that a few invitations may still be extended during May.
Please note there are 96 seats in the FSY cohort but there are far more students who are eligible than available seats. While not all FGLI students will be invited to participate in FSY, students will have many opportunities to get involved with the FGLI student community on campus during the fall semester and will receive information about such opportunities and related support resources.
Accept or Decline FSY Invitation
Once a student has received an invitation to participate in FSY, they are encouraged to read through the information and contact us (fsy@yale.edu) to ask any questions that will help them make their best decision. Once they have made that decision, students need to notify Admissions whether they accept or decline their seat in the FSY cohort.
Note: Students must first confirm their acceptance of admission to Yale before accepting their invitation to FSY.
Students who decline FSY will still receive an invitation to ONEXYS (Online Experiences for Yale Scholars) and are encouraged to participate. Note: Students who participate in FSY do not participate in ONEXYS because the support offered through that experience is already integrated into FSY.
Information Collection (March-June)
Travel Arrangements
After accepting the FSY invitation, students will be asked to confirm how they will travel to and from campus. Flights will be arranged for students, as well as train or bus tickets. Students who will be driving are provided additional information regarding reimbursed mileage.
FSY Program Form
Students will be asked to complete a form that provides emergency contact information, housing preferences, dietary restrictions, course and event preferences, technology needs, and more.
Health Requirements
All incoming Yale undergraduate students are required to submit their health records, including mandatory immunization requirements. While the deadline for most students is later in summer, FSY students must submit all documentation by June 1 and must be in compliance with Yale Health requirements before they are permitted to live on campus for the summer.
QR Assessment & Math Placement Exam
All students will be asked to complete a QR Assessment that will help to determine their placement in a quantitative reasoning (QR) course during FSY. For students who are interested in taking calculus in the fall, they will also be provided instructions to take the math placement exam.
FSY Assessment (mid-June through August)
In the weeks leading up to FSY, students are asked to complete a pre-FSY survey. Students will be asked to fill out surveys at other times during and after the program so that we can assess whether FSY is meeting its mission and goals and determine how to improve.
FSY Program (Summer)
The first week of FSY begins in late June where the initial meetings are held online and students are required to attend these events. The on-campus portion runs for five weeks, at least for the full length of July, and students depart campus immediately following the conclusion of the FSY program. Students will return a few weeks later for Camp Yale orientation programming.