Admissions Officer Spotlight: John Yi

Photo of John Yi at his desk in the admissions office

Welcome to our second Admissions Officer Spotlight! Christina and I sat down with Senior Assistant Director of Admissions and Director of Recruitment John Yi to learn more about what it’s like to be an admissions officer and to hear about his own experience applying to college. Here are some highlights from our interview:

What was your college application process like?

I’m not going to lie; Yale was my dream school ever since I was a little kid. My dad previously taught at the university level, so I was quite familiar with the higher education landscape from an early age. I grew up with a strong focus on both academics and performing arts, and Yale always stood out to me as a place that could offer me a tremendous experience in both regards. When it came time to actually visit colleges, I was so impressed with the authenticity and genuine sense of conversation I had with everyone during my visit – the admissions officer, my tour guide, and even students just walking through campus. I became so enamored with the entire community, and when I applied Single-Choice Early Action my senior year, I was very fortunate: the school I fell in love with wanted me too. Sometimes I joke that Yale made a huge mistake in admitting me, but in earnest, I know that college is about finding the place where you call home. For me, that place was Yale.

How nervous were you for college interviews? Any tips for prospective students?

Luckily, I wasn’t too nervous for my interviews. I went in thinking, “this is who I am,” and if that was not what the school wanted, it wasn’t meant to be. I was a little nervous after the interview, as I thought about the eventual admissions decision, but mostly I was excited that I’d had the chance to talk with a real-life Yale alumnus. As for tips: be prepared to speak in a way that reflects how you make conscientious and thoughtful choices. Don’t treat the interview as an opportunity to repeat accomplishments; interviewers are more interested in why you did something and how it affected you, rather than a list of what you have done.

What general tips do you have for prospective students with regards to the college application process?

In general, high-achieving students are going to be high-achieving wherever they go. Your success in life and your ability to make a meaningful contribution to society is not based on the selectivity of a school. A lot of societal pressures can give the impression that the more selective a school is, the happier you will be. But your ability to have a positive college experience is 100% contingent upon what you do once you’re there. It’s important for students to keep in perspective the fact that there are so many different schools out there. It is more important to focus on the unique experience each school offers, not how selective they are.

Any tips especially for low-income students or first-generation college students?

It’s a beautiful thing to work in an office that places such an emphasis on accessibility and socioeconomic diversity. It’s important for students of underrepresented or under-resourced background to know that the admissions office is very sensitive to these issues and understands that not all students have access to the same opportunities. Most importantly, students from low-income backgrounds should not be afraid to apply to selective colleges like Yale.

What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity, to me, means not just recognizing that people come from all different backgrounds and hold different perspectives, but celebrating that fact. I wholeheartedly believe that Yale’s most valuable resource is perhaps the diversity within its student body, and seeing students from all walks of life connect and learn from each other is part of what makes being a part of the Yale community so inspiring.

How did you get involved in admissions, and what is your favorite part about being an admissions officer?

I worked in Yale’s admissions office as a student employee throughout my undergraduate years, connecting with prospective and admitted students, giving campus tours, and even leading campus information sessions during my senior year. I had such a fantastic time working as a student at the admissions office that I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stick around after graduation as a young professional. My favorite thing about being an admissions officer is the people. The office is full of people who are all incredibly hardworking, open-minded, and yet so different from one another, which makes each day in this office exciting. Our office believes that it takes a diverse office to admit a diverse freshman class, and the team mentality here reflects that.

What are your thoughts on the new Pokemon Game?

I don’t play Pokémon Go, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be Vulpix. Because Vulpix starts as Vulpix, but then turns into Ninetales, and it’s like when everyday Beyoncé turns into Sasha Fierce!

What was your residential college?

I was in Timothy Dwight, which is objectively Yale’s most superior group of randomly-assigned students.

Favorite memories from your time at Yale?

I always reminisce about Tap Night for the Yale Symphony Orchestra (flute) and for the Whiffenpoofs, in which existing members of the group welcomed me into their tradition of music in the most exciting ways (read: lots of cheering, song, and running around). That said, just being in these groups was one of my favorite parts about my undergrad experience. It was such a privilege to be surrounded by people who loved music and performing as much as I did, let alone people who continue to be some of my closest friends even 4 years after graduating.

What was the Whiffenpoof life like?

I never thought that liking a cappella and being marginally good at it would lead to traveling all around the world. And yet, that’s exactly what I got to do when I took a gap year between my junior and senior years to sing and travel with the Whiffenpoofs. The year was an education about culture, how music connects cultures, and honestly about how amazing travel can be. When else would I have had the chance to visit dozens of countries without paying a dime out of pocket? Taking a year off with the Whiffs also showed me how sometimes there are opportunities in life that you simply must pursue. I was pretty nervous to take an entire year off from school because initially, I just assumed that I’d graduate in four years like the rest of my classmates. That said, I will forever be grateful for the experience because traveling with the Whiffs was something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

What inspires you?

Creating community, and of course, Whitney Houston.

What do you have to say about campus climate with regards to recent events?

I think the conversations, although difficult at times, are necessary and meaningful. I am proud of the fact that these are not only legitimate concerns raised by students, but that students are given a platform and voice to express their concerns. There are so many environments where people have had similar issues but were not given the opportunity to talk about them. It’s inspiring that the student body is brave enough to voice these concerns and that spaces on campus are open to fostering these discussions. These events have only pushed Yale to be an even stronger community.

Favorite spot on campus to eat?

The Ezra Stiles dining hall. Off-campus, I’m a huge fan of [local restaurant] 116 Crown.