SCEA Acceptees Email from Yale about Directed Studies?

thinkingaloud
Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:35:45 +0000

Hi guys, an honest question: Have any other admitted students here received an email from their Yale admissions officer offering a spot for Directed Studies without needing to apply?

I didn’t declare that as an intended major in my application (put down History), and I’m curious as to how this email came about. It includes a congratulations as apparently not many receive the offer, although I’m interested as to how true this is (honestly, partly because I’m curious if this is something to be proud of, but partly because I wouldn’t expect to receive such an offer).

I’m intimidated by the idea of DS as a selective program in an already hyper-selective school, because of both the ability and intellectual interest that it demands. I’m far from an academic star, and while I take interest in the humanities and learning for learning’s sake, I am also very career-oriented student and politically minded.

Since receiving the email, however, I’ve been taking a second look. I’d also appreciate any thoughts from Yale students about the DS program, especially for a student who’s career-oriented, politically-minded (looking to major in Polisci or EPE) but still interested in the material. Thanks for reading! :)