Rural and Small Town Students

Yale supports rural and small town students on their path to and through college.

The Yale admissions office recognizes that students from rural areas and small towns often have unique perspectives and lived experiences that can make special contributions to the Yale community.

As an inaugural member of the STARS College Network (Small Town and Rural Students), Yale is a leading member of a nationwide effort to empower students from small-town and rural America to enroll and successfully graduate from the college of their choice. 

The STARS College Network has partnered with Schoolhouse.world and Khan Academy to prepare small town and rural students for college-level mathematics courses. Yale applicants may submit Schoolhouse.world certifications as application updates on the Yale Admissions Status Portal after applying. 

STARS College Network
The Small Town and Rural Scholars Network

Applying to Yale from a Small Town or Rural Area

Students from rural areas and small towns often have concerns about how their applications will be reviewed in Yale’s selection process. Please note the following:

  • Yale does not track demonstrated interest for the purpose of evaluating applications. Visiting campus will not affect a student’s chances of admission. Explore virtual events
  • There are no specific high school courses required for admission, and admissions officers are familiar with various types of advanced coursework (e.g., AP, IB, Dual Enrollment). Yale’s evaluation process takes a student’s area context into account. Review our Advice on Selecting High School Courses for more information.
  • Yale’s admissions process is need-blind for all students, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Yale’s need-based financial aid program meets 100% of a family’s demonstrated need without loans. Learn more and estimate your cost in three minutes

Supporting Rural and Small Town Students

The Rural Students Alliance at Yale (RSAY) builds a supportive, tight-knit community. Students and staff affiliated with the group host events and lead programs for prospective students.

Yale supports students during throughout their college career. Many resources are available through a student’s residential college, including college deans, first-year counselors (frocos), and academic advisors. Yale’s Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning houses the Office of Educational Opportunity, which runs a popular first-generation and low-income (FGLI) peer mentorship program and a STEM Navigators program. The FGLI Community Initiative offers additional financial, social, and academic support.