How to Apply

An Eli Whitney application includes personal statements, letters of recommendation, and transcripts.  

The intricate, wrought iron gate of the Memorial Quadrangle features the Yale motto Lux et Veritas and coat of arms

Submitting the Transfer Common App for Eli Whitney Students

All EWSP applicants will use the Transfer Common Application, even if they have few or no transferable credits. Follow these steps to submit the application online by the deadline:

  1. Create a Transfer Common App account
  2. Select Yale from the list of available colleges, then choose the Eli Whitney Students Program.
  3. Complete all four sections listed in the My Application tab:
    • Personal Information – biographic and contact information; request a fee waiver
    • Academic History – education history; request official transcripts from all colleges attended*
    • Supporting Information – life experiences and achievements; submit a résumé
    • Program Materials – Yale-specific questions and two personal statements; add recommender information.
  4. Submit the $80 application fee or fee waiver. U.S. military veterans and active duty service members automatically qualify for a fee waiver.

*If you have not previously enrolled in any college, email eliwhitney.students@yale.edu for instructions on completing the Colleges Attended section.

Additional application material

Required documents

Two recommendation letters are required; letters from recent academic instructors are preferred. An additional letter from someone other than an academic instructor is permitted but not required. Applicants who have not been recently enrolled may submit letters from employers, mentors, colleagues or others in place of academic letters. Designate recommenders while completing the Program Materials section.

Official transcripts from all colleges attended and an official final high school transcript or GED are required. An official from a college, high school, and/or department may be submit a transcript or GED test result via the Common Application, email to transfer.documents@yale.edu or mail to Yale Undergraduate Admissions, P. O. Box 208234, New Haven, CT 06520-8234.

Additional components

After a preliminary review of completed applications, the Admissions Office offers virtual interviews to a small number of Eli Whitney applicants. These virtual interviews are scheduled with admissions officers in April. 

Veterans of the U.S. military should submit their DD214 military discharge papers via the Documents tab in the Supporting Information section or via the Yale Admissions Status Portal after applying.

Request that an official JST transcript be sent to transfer.documents@yale.edu.

Applicants who have standardized test — SAT, ACT, AP, or IB — may include scores for consideration, but these tests are not required for Eli Whitney applicants.

Non-native English-speakers who have not been taught primarily in the medium of English in the last two years should submit results from English proficiency exams. Review Standardized Testing for more information. 

Eli Whitney application timeline

  • Late November

    Application opens online

  • March 1

    Admissions application deadline

  • March 15

    Accompanying admissions materials deadline

  • April 1

    Financial aid materials deadline

  • April and May

    Interviews for select candidates

  • Mid-May

    Decisions released via status portal

Detailed view of the beauty and grandeur of one of the clocks of Harkness Tower

Eli Whitney Students Program admission: learn more

  • Eligibility

    The Eli Whitney Program is for adult learners who do not hold a bachelor’s degree.

  • How to Apply

    The Eli Whitney application includes personal statements, letters of recommendation, and academic history.

  • Affordability

    Learn how special financial policies make a Yale education affordable for all Eli Whitney students.

  • Student Profiles

    Meet current Eli Whitney students whose life journeys have taken them around the world and to Yale.