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General Information About the Light Fellowship |
1. What are my chances of winning a Light Fellowship? How many students apply each year? How many win? |
The Light Fellowship awarded 134 students in the 2010-2011 academic year competitions, but that number is subject to fluctuation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for other fellowships/funding sources for which they are eligible (e.g. Fulbright Fellowships, Parker Huang Fellowships, etc.). It is harder to win a Light Fellowship for study after graduation.
A list of Yale-administered fellowships can be found on the Student Grants Database and the IplanYale tool also offers more options (see "Step 8").
NOTE: Applying to other funding sources will NOT impact students' applications for a Light Fellowship. |
2. Do the odds of winning a Light Fellowship increase (or decrease) if I choose to study abroad for longer periods of time? |
While longer immersion abroad is preferable to shorter stays in most respects, we discourage students from applying for longer than a summer before the timing is right to do so.
Graduating students (seniors and graduate students), however, must have compelling reasons why they would not apply for a period of at least an academic year.
If you are not sure about which term or terms to apply for, you should schedule an appointment to discuss your situation.
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Light Fellowship Funding |
1. Will the Light Fellowship support (fund) direct enrollment at a university in East Asia? How about a spring break project? |
No. The Light Fellowship only supports study at Light-approved language programs in East Asia. |
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2. Does the Light Fellowship award apply to the Peking University - Yale University Joint Undergraduate Program? |
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No. The Peking University - Yale University Joint Undergraduate Program is not a language program. However, Yale undergraduates can study at the Peking University - Yale University program with full financial aid transfer and earn full Yale credit. |
3. Are there other funding options for study in East Asia in case I do not win a Light Fellowship? |
Yes! There are dozens of Yale and national fellowships and grants available to undergraduate and graduate students. Many are geared specifically toward study or research in East Asia. Some places to start your search include:
IplanYale
The Office of Fellowship Programs Web site
The Student Grants Database
The MacMillan Center
The International Summer Award (for undergraduates receiving term-time financial aid)
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Credits and Grades |
1. Can I get credit for summer course work I do on a Light Fellowship? How? |
Yes. To receive credit for summer studies you must apply to the Summer Abroad Program through MyCIPE. The summer study abroad application deadline is February 1. Credit is not automatically approved, but most fellows returning from Light-approved summer programs receive two credits. Grades will not appear on the transcript.
To receive credit for fall, spring, or academic year study, you must also apply through Study Abroad at MyCIPE. Term-time Study Abroad Application Deadlines: Fall/Year, March 5; Spring, October 15. |
2. What do I need to do if I want to do a Term Abroad (Sophomore Spring, Junior Term, or Junior Year)? |
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Check out the Study Abroad Web site, and then schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser. |
3. Can I get credit for studying overseas twice (i.e., for a summer and then a term/year abroad)? |
Yes and no. You can bring back credit from outside Yale for both one summer (2 credits) and one Yale Term Abroad (4 credits; fall or spring), for a total of 6 outside credits. You cannot combine credit from a summer and a Year Abroad. If you get transfer credit from a Year Abroad (9 credits) you will forgo the previously earned 2 summer credits. |
4. If I get credit for my summer Light study, will I be able to get an ISA (International Summer Award) for a future summer experience? |
No. In order to use International Summer Award (ISA) funding towards a designated non-Yale program, Yale requires students to do the program for Yale credit. The total amount of outside credits you can earn during all your summers as a Yale student is two. If you transfer in two credits for your work at a summer Light-approved program, you can no longer transfer in any more outside credit for programs done during future summers or on a leave of absence. This means that you would not be able to use the ISA for a future summer study on a non-Yale program. This regulation does not affect use of an ISA for future participation in Yale Summer Session programs abroad (which are taken for Yale credit, not transfer credit) or the non-credit UCS International Bulldogs internships. |
5. Will I get a grade at the program? If so, will it appear on my transcript? |
The majority of Light-approved programs give grades, but they will not appear on your Yale transcript. If you get transfer credit from your program, the course name and number and a mark of "CR" will appear on your Yale transcript, but will not affect your GPA or graduation honors. |
6. Does it matter what grades I earn while studying on a Light Fellowship? |
Yes. Students who want to transfer credit from time abroad must earn grades of at least C. Additionally, we will be receiving an official copy of your transcript from while you are abroad, as will your Residential College Dean, and weak grades may reflect poorly on your ability to handle an intensive language program and/or to live overseas. If you decide to apply for another Light, your grades at previously attended language programs will affect your application. Moreover, future employers and graduate schools sometimes want to see these grades. |
7. How do credits I receive from my program abroad affect my GPA and chances for graduation honors? |
These credits are listed on your transcript with grades of "CR" (Credit) and are not counted toward your GPA. These credits are also not part of the calculation for graduation honors or distinction in the major. They are not considered "non-A" grades like the Cr/D/Fail option in Yale classes. The same goes for Phi Beta Kappa - you are considered based solely on grades earned at Yale, or at Yale programs like Summer Session, Yale-in-London, or the Yale-PKU program. However, some Residential College honors may factor in grades earned abroad.
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Eligibility |
1. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I might be considered fluent by some definitions? |
You may not apply for a Light Fellowship to study a language in which you are already fluent. The Light Fellowship's judgment of fluency is being able to listen to the evening news in that language and understand every word and also being able to read a newspaper in that language and fully comprehend the content. However, even if you are not considered fluent by our standards, there must still be a Light-approved program that would allow your language skills to significantly improve. |
2. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I am not currently taking a language class?
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You may apply, but you must have studied one full year of the target language at Yale or at an equivalent program by the time you embark on your studies abroad. Also, applicants must have completed at least one semester in a Yale language classroom by the competition's final deadline. Contact your most recent Yale language instructor regarding completing your Light Fellowship Language Evaluation. |
3. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I have not taken any course at Yale in the target language, but I have outside experience? |
No. Applicants must have taken a Yale language class in the language they are proposing for their fellowship. Applicants must have completed at least one semester at Yale by the competition's final deadline. |
4. Can I apply for a Light Fellowship if I am currently overseas? |
That's fine. However, you must still meet all deadlines. You should start an application in your MyCIPE account as soon as possible because we send occasional updates to registrants. Please tell us about your situation, and send all email correspondence to light.fellowship@yale.edu. We will waive the information meeting attendance requirement for you. |
5. Is a minimum GPA required in order to apply for the Light Fellowship? |
No. However, you will need to address poor grades in your personal statement. While the Light Fellowship is not GPA-focused, lapses in your academic record will raise questions about your commitment to handling intense study...which these language programs abroad certainly offer!
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Applying to Program Sites Abroad |
1. How many language program applications should I complete? |
You should apply to at least two, so that you have a backup in case your first choice falls through. Students studying Chinese should apply to (at least) three summer programs. |
2. Could you give me advice about X, on the program application? |
Unfortunately, we are not in a position to give advice on program applications. We encourage you to contact the program's administrative staff. Also, we can give the names of current or prior Light Fellows who can share their experiences. |
3. How do I know what program is best for me? |
Start by exploring the programs' Web sites to see if you are eligible to apply. Narrow your choices by reading former Fellows' student blogs and program reports. If you are still unsure after taking these steps, you should meet with us. We can also put you in contact with former Light Fellows who have completed the programs. |
4. What are my chances of gaining admission into a Light Fellowship-approved program? |
It's different for each language. Almost all Light Fellows obtain admission at a Light-approved program if they apply to several. You will want to make sure that your program application is as strong as possible and that you take advantage of the rolling admissions process. |
5. I found out that I am on the program's waiting list. Would the Light Fellowship office be able to help me with this in any way? |
We cannot intervene in a program's decision to admit or reject an applicant. If they have follow-up questions, or if there is some problem regarding your ability to pay, they can contact our office. |
6. If I win a Light Fellowship, will the language programs take that into consideration regarding admissions? |
No. Unless a program contacts our office with follow-up questions relevant to your application, we will not intercede on an individual applicant's behalf. To offer or deny you a spot in their program is their right and responsibility. Back to top |
Applying to the Light Fellowship |
1. Do international students have additional application requirements? |
There are no additional application requirements for the Light Fellowship application, but you should meet with Yale's International Tax Office. Please ensure that you will be able to obtain a visa for entry to China, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan and that the programs to which you apply have no extra requirements for non-US students. |
2. Do I need to attend an information meeting even if I won a previous Light Fellowship? |
Yes! Every year, our procedures and timeline change a little, so it's important that you are aware of such changes. |
3. Can you review my Light Fellowship written proposal before I submit it? |
No. We will not review personal statements, but you may be able to receive some assistance from the Writing Center. |
4. Is it possible to apply for a summer + fall or summer + year combination? |
Yes. It's encouraged! Many choose to do one program for the summer and another in the fall term. Students who wish to apply for a spring + summer must apply for the Light twice - in the Early Fall Competition for spring study and again in the Late Fall Competition for summer study. However, summer + fall applicants can apply for both terms during the Late Fall Competition. |
5. If I apply for summer and fall and am granted both terms, would I be allowed to only accept one part of my fellowship?
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No. Your application is evaluated taking timing and length of study into consideration. |
6. Is it possible to submit the Light Fellowship application by the deadline without acceptance into a program?
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Yes. In fact, students will most likely not have heard back from programs by our application deadline. |
7. Do I need an appointment to submit my application?
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No. Your entire application can be submitted through MyCIPE. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early in order to have time to catch and correct any mistakes. |
10. What should I do if I decide to withdraw my application?
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Please select "withdraw" from your MyCIPE homepage. |
11. Have you received my language evaluation? How about my...?
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You can track the status of your application materials in your MyCIPE account. The program office will check off each item as it is completed or received. An email is automatically generated to inform you every time there is a change to your application. |
12. When will the Light Fellowship announce results? |
We will announce results of the Early Fall Competition in mid-November. The results of the Late Fall Competition are announced sometime in February. Winners will have one week to accept or decline the award.
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