Yale

For the Class of 2028, Yale University maintained its position as one of the most selective institutions in the world, admitting only 3.9% of applicants. From a record-setting pool of 57,465 applications, just 2,146 students were accepted. Yale’s Single-Choice Early Action program offered a modestly higher acceptance rate of 9.02%, with 709 students admitted early—making up 46% of the incoming class. 

Standardized Testing

The academic profile of admitted students is exceptional: 92.12% scored between 700–800 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and 92.76% achieved the same range in SAT Math. Only a very small portion of admitted students scored below 600 in either section. Although ACT score data was not specified for this cycle, Yale’s admitted students have historically scored in the top percentiles nationally. These figures underscore Yale’s continued focus on academic excellence and its appeal to high-achieving students worldwide.

Notably, Yale University follows a “no harm” standardized testing policy, which aims to ensure that applicants are not disadvantaged if they choose not to submit test scores. Under this policy, standardized test results—such as the SAT or ACT—are optional, and applications without test scores are evaluated with equal consideration. This approach acknowledges the limitations some students face in accessing testing opportunities and focuses instead on a holistic review process.

If an applicant submits strong test scores, they will be considered as supportive evidence of academic preparedness. However, if no scores are submitted, admissions officers simply place greater emphasis on other components of the application, such as coursework rigor, grades, teacher recommendations, extracurricular accomplishments, and personal essays. Yale emphasizes that choosing not to submit scores will not put students at a disadvantage, making this policy especially valuable for students from under-resourced schools or regions impacted by test access barriers.