For Students Interested in Applying to YSPA

What is a day at YSPA like from a student’s perspective?

During the four-week on-campus program, mornings are normally spent in class in the Leitner Planetarium, learning about stellar physics, Calculus, observing techniques, etc.. Afternoon sessions are spent in the computer lab working on tutorials in data analysis and python programming in small groups with the faculty and student research teams. Students and staff get together for dinner every evening in the residential college, and then student teams observe about every other night in the observatory in four shifts from 8pm until 2am.

I live near New Haven. Can I participate in YSPA as a day student?

No, the residential component of YSPA is integral to the program, and it is not possible to participate as a day student. Yale does offer other science-based summer programs for day students, such as Pathways to Science Summer Scholars.

What is the tuition for YSPA?

Full tuition for the 6-week 2024 Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics is TBD. This fee covers all aspects of the program except travel and incidental expenses. Students who accept admissions offers in April will need to send in a deposit to secure a spot in the program, and the balance of tuition is due in June.

Do you accept international applicants?

Yes, international students are considered in the same application pool as US applicants, both for admission and for financial aid. However, all students must be proficient in English and must have a student visa or must be able to get a 30-day tourist visa to visit the US during the on-campus program.

Can I apply as a freshman/sophomore/senior?

No, you must be a rising senior (a junior when you apply) to participate in YSPA.

Do you offer financial aid?

Yes. Students who have been admitted can apply for limited, need-based financial aid within two weeks of the admissions decision notification. A typical financial aid award is a 50% tuition remission, although discounts of up to 80% may be awarded, depending on the availability of funds and financial need of the student. Past participants have also had success in securing funding to attend YSPA through foundations and crowd-funding.

Can I get college credit for attending YSPA?

No, Yale does not award college credit for participating in YSPA. College credit for summer courses is offered through the Yale Summer Session (https://summer.yale.edu/)

What are the pre-requisites for participating in YSPA?

There are no specific requirements for applicants other than age (you must be > 15.5 years old at the start of the on-campus program), grade (you must be a rising senior or equivalent in your school system, i.e., entering your last year of secondary school before college), language (you must be proficient in English), and availability (you must commit to fully participating in the two-week online directed self-study program as well as the four-week on campus program).

Is YSPA only for students who are interested in astronomy?

Not necessarily. The astrophysics research project at YSPA is a means to an end. We want to give students an interesting and challenging project that can still be completed during the four weeks of the on-campus program. By completing this project, students will learn techniques in scientific research, data analysis, programming, scientific modeling, science writing, and other skills that are valuable in a broad range of science and tech disciplines.