<p>I know that Yale is a research university, and obviously a top one. I’m just curious as to what that means, exactly? Do they favor those who have down significant research in high school? Thanks</p>
<p>I will share my uncertain understanding of this term and let others correct me.</p>
<p>A research university’s mission is, in good part, to conduct research into all the academic disciplines it supports. In accord with this mission the performance of faculty members is evaluated by criteria predominantly weighted towards the quality of research (typically 50% or more) when compared with teaching, service, and administration. Also in accord with this relatively large portions of the operating budget are devoted to staff and equipment that serve to support research.</p>
<p>Typically the projects of research universities attract grant money from both private and public sources. They also enroll many doctorate-seeking graduate students who contribute both their labor and ideas to the research in which the faculty members are engaged. Neither of these is true of schools that do not have a research-emphasizing mission.</p>
<p>None of this means, however, that the undergraduate program has a special predilection for applicants with research backgrounds. Such experience might strengthen an applicant’s credentials, but no more so at Yale than at non-research schools.</p>
<p>Yea, that’s probably what I would have guessed. Thanks for the input.</p>