Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, was founded in 1640 to preserve the tradition of European liberal education in the New World. When the School of Fine Arts opened to students in 1869, it was the first of its kind affiliated with a tertiary institution in America.

The program in art offers courses that, through work in a variety of media, provide an experience in the visual arts as part of a liberal education as well as preparation for graduate study and professional work. 

What are the top 3 program features that make your program stand out?

Small classes with working artist faculty, state of the art labs and shared studios and access to daily extracurricular events, lectures, workshops, etc, both in the university and within the School of Art’s graduate programs.

Can students take courses in other schools?

Of course! They only take a limited number of credits for the art major, and must take many other classes within Yale College for their distributional requirements.

How are new technologies affecting students’ curriculums and/or ways of learning/collaborating at your school? 


We annually add innovative new courses, including the mediums of animation, moving image, performance art and installation. We  have a co-major with Computer Science for students interested in Computing and the Arts.

How does your program help graduating students with internships or jobs? Can students expect job placement more at your program than in others? If so, how or why? What kinds of job opportunities have you seen students take once they completed their degrees?

We do one-on-one advising, upon request, and I run an annual Alumni in the Arts Life After Yale panel for the graduating Senior art majors, at which a variety of graduates of the program recount their different paths after graduating. There is also a Career Services office in Yale College that students may consult.

What is the best advice you have for students entering the art, design & architecture field? What role does the artist play today?

Work hard, learn the rules so you can later break them, and take risks in your practice!

Interviewed by Lisa Kereszi, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Art

TIPS

To apply for more than one area  of concentration, separate applications, fees, and supporting documentation must be submitted. The work submitted should be representative of the applicant’s experience in that particular field.

Portfolio of work. Applicants who fail to upload a portfolio as outlined in this bulletin by the stated deadline will not be considered. The portfolio should represent images of your best work, indicate your current direction, and demonstrate your ability.

One image from the portfolio should be designated as a “representative work.” This selection will be printed for the application file as the piece you feel most strongly represents ideas central to your current body of work.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Common Application

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

5-8 pieces (including at least 1 drawing) 

WRITING SAMPLE

Common app Yale essay

TRANSCRIPTS

Required

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

1 counselor
2 teachers 

INTERVIEW

Recommended

APPLICATIONS DEADLINES

Early Action: Nov 1
Regular Application: Jan 1

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

TOEFL: (paper) min 600 (iBT) min 100
IELTS: 7
PTE: 70

DID YOU KNOW?

Yale is the first college art museum, and the first School of Fine Arts in the USA to be associated with a large educational institution, which admitted women almost a full century before Yale College did.

ALUMNI

Mark Rothko, Artist
Eva Hess, Artist
Chuck Close, Artist
Brice Marden, Artist
Richard Serra, Artist
Robert Mangold, Artist
Jonathan Borofsky, Artist
Lisa Yuskavage, Artist
Wangechi Mutu, Artist
Matthew Barney, Artist
Norman Foster, Architect 
Eero Saarinen, Architect 
Richard Rogers, Architect 
Maya Lin, Architect 
David Childs, Architect 
Paul Rand, Graphic designer 
Eddie Opara, Graphic designer 

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

Yale University Office of Undergraduate Admissions
38 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511

+1 (203)-432-9300