DEADLINE: 3 FEBRUARY 2022
YYAS 2022 Program Dates: 20 July - 26 July 2022
Yale Young African Scholars(YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent.
Participants will enhance their academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa. Following the program, students will be paired with mentors who will help advise them throughout the university application process.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply, however please note that our admissions committee will give preference to high-achieving, low-income (i.e. “HALI”) students who do not have university guidance in their schools or communities.
There are no tuition costs for participation in the YYAS Program.
MISSION
The mission of YALE YOUNG AFRICAN SCHOLARS (YYAS), an official program of the American Ivy-League university, Yale University, is to expose Africa’s brightest young leaders to various opportunities for pursuing tertiary education, and to equip them with the skills to serve their communities and the world. In line with Yale’s mission of educational accessibility, YYAS is free for all students.
The vision of YYAS is to mentor and support African secondary school students to become Africa’s next generation of leaders and engaged citizens. Participants in the YYAS program will emerge with an expanded knowledge base, friendships forged with peers from around the continent, and direct access to university student mentors who will help guide them through the university admissions and financial aid application processes.
TYPICAL STUDENT PROFILE
A typical YYAS participant has:
Excellent academic records
Demonstrated leadership potential
Strong written and verbal communication skills
A desire and ability to work cooperatively with peers
Persistence and determination when facing challenges
High standards of personal and professional conduct
The ability to read, analyze, and reflect on large quantities of difficult material in English
Demonstrated maturity and interest in engaging in discussions about intellectual, moral, and political issues in Africa
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In order to apply to YYAS, applicants MUST fulfill all of the following requirements:
Age: You must be at least 14 years old by application deadline (03 February 2022) in order to be considered. Please note that a typical YYAS student is between the ages of 15 and 18.
English: You must be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English.
Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country. YYAS will also accept applications from refugees living in an African country.
School location: You must currently attend school in an African country.
Grade Level: You must be a current 11th grade student (or the international equivalent).
Graduation date: If you attend school in the Northern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by latest May/June 2023. If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2022 and no later than November/December 2023.
If you are currently in your final year or term of secondary school, have already graduated secondary school, or are a university student, then you are NOT eligible to apply.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following list describes the typical YYAS requirements, although the most up-to-date and accurate information is always in the application.
The following three (3) components are required of all applicants:
Completed application form - The application can be found online and must be filled out by the applicant. Students will be asked to complete one 500-word essay and two short responses, and must provide information on their extracurricular activities and the school that they currently attend.
Official transcript or grade report(s) - A student transcript is an official document provided by the school and includes the applicant’s list of courses and grades received. Students must upload their official transcript or grade report(s) for each year of secondary school. National exam scores, if available, should also be submitted but are not required. If a student has changed secondary schools at any point, they must include records both from their previous AND their current school. Please refrain from uploading certificates or transcripts from primary school.
One (1) teacher recommendation - The recommendation must be filled out via the Online Recommendation Form that will be sent to a teacher’s email after the student provides their contact details. An email will be sent with a link to the Form and instructions on how to fill it out. The recommendation must be written and submitted by a teacher who knows the student well. Recommendations from parents/guardians, siblings, relatives, family friends, and/or paid private tutors/counselors will NOT be accepted.
Be sure to click the “SUBMIT” button on the last page for your application to be considered.
YYAS reviews all applications holistically, and there are no minimum grade or standardized exam score requirements. However, a high level of English proficiency will be expected.
Decision Notification: Applicants will be notified electronically of admissions decisions by mid-April.
CONTACT
Questions? Please email us at african.scholars@yale.edu.