Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Must I be of a certain age to qualify for a fellowship?
The Yale World Fellows Program does not require applicants to be a specific age. Please note, however, that the Program is designed for mid-career professionals. The youngest applicant ever accepted was 27 years old, and the average age of a Yale World Fellow is 38.
Does the Yale World Fellows Program require test scores exhibiting proficiency in the English language?
The Yale World Fellows Program does not require TOEFL or IELTS test scores. Should an applicant progress to the final stages of selection, his/her English fluency will be assessed during a phone interview.
Must I be fluent in English?
Qualified applicants must be fluent in English. Fellows must be able to read and understand complex academic texts, give oral presentations in front of small and large audiences, and build professional and personal relationships with colleagues and distinguished guests – in English.
Is there an application fee?
There is no application fee, charge, or payment of any kind associated with applying to the Yale World Fellows Program.
Does the fellowship accept students or academics?
The Yale World Fellows Program does not accept students or academics. The fellowship is for practitioners.
Is the fellowship degree granting?
The Yale World Fellows Program does not award an academic diploma of any kind. The fellowship is not a Master’s or Ph.D. program.
What is the typical length of the essays?
Essays submitted as part of the application should be approximately 500 words.
What is the role of the “nominator?”
It is optional for applicants to have a “nominator.” The purpose of the nominator is to bring to the attention of the Program qualified candidates who may not be aware of the Program. A nominator may be from any country, and may or may not have an affiliation with Yale.
Can I nominate myself?
Candidates should not nominate themselves. Candidates interested in applying to the Program should proceed directly to the application phase: (website link to be provided in May 2010)
Do I have to be nominated, or can I just apply?
You do not have to be nominated in order to be a candidate for the Program. It is possible to self-apply. The Program gives no preference to either nominated or self-apply applicants.
Can I have multiple nominators?
Having multiple nominators causes messy paperwork for Program administrators and does not improve one's chances of being selected as a Fellow. Your references, instead, serve to support your candidacy through keen evaluation of your career progression and potential.
Can my nominator count as one of the required letters of recommendation?
Yes. You will have the opportunity to indicate whether you would like to use your nomination letter as one of the three references in the online application.
Can family members act as nominators and/or references?
Family members may act as nominators and/or references. However, please note that references, in particular, should be people with whom you have interacted on a professional basis, and who can keenly evaluate your career progression and potential.
Can nominators and/or references write letters of recommendation in languages other than English?
The Yale World Fellows Program only accepts letters of recommendation in English. You may need to pay for translation services.
What is the typical length of a letter of recommendation?
The typical length of letters of recommendation is 1 to 2 pages in length.
How does the Yale World Fellows Program prefer to receive letters of recommendation?
The Yale World Fellows Program strongly prefers that letters of recommendation be submitted directly through the admissions website.
Am I a competitive candidate for the Yale World Fellows Program?
To determine if you would be a competitive candidate for the Yale World Fellows Program, please carefully review the biographies of our most current class of Fellows: http://ris-systech2.its.yale.edu/worldfellows/fellows/search.asp.
If I have previously applied to the Yale World Fellows Program, may I apply again?
Applicants who have applied to a previous year’s program may submit a new application for the current cycle. However, please note that every year our pool of candidates is more and more competitive. If you choose to apply to our Program for a second time, be sure to highlight your additional achievements of the past year.
If I have previously applied to the Yale World Fellows Program, may I re-submit the previous year’s application?
If you choose to apply to our program for a second time, you must submit a new application with an updated résumé and updated letters of recommendation.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications are reviewed in a three-tiered process that begins with a selection committee of Yale World Fellows Program staff. A smaller group of the strongest applications is sent on to a second level of selection. These applications are reviewed by Regional Panels, comprised of experts on the various geographic regions of the world. Semi-finalists are interviewed by telephone. The Regional Panels select an even smaller number of these semi-finalists to be forwarded to the final round of selection. The final selection is made by a committee composed of faculty and staff.
When will I learn of the final decision on my application?
Final decisions will be sent via email in April 2010. Please be sure to keep the Yale World Fellows Program up-to-date with your most recent email contact information.
If I am selected, what are the time demands of the Program?
The 2010 Yale World Fellows Program will begin in mid-August 2010 and run through mid-December 2010. It should be understood that the Program is quite demanding of the Fellows’ time. In addition to time during the days devoted to the Yale World Fellows Seminar, World Fellows presentations, and University classes, several evenings of each week will be scheduled with presentations, speakers, and the World Fellows’ weekly dinner, as well as some travel for several days at a time over the course of the Fellowship.
Do Yale World Fellows pay tuition?
Yale World Fellows do not pay tuition. For full participation in the Yale World Fellows Program for its duration, Yale provides Fellows with a travel allowance, housing, and a stipend of $32,500 to cover living expenses. In addition, Yale pays for all costs associated with the educational and extracurricular aspects of the Program.
If I am selected, may I bring my family with me?
Families may join Yale World Fellows in New Haven. Those families who will be joining the Yale World Fellow for the duration of the Program will be provided with housing and a travel allowance for their stay. However, it is important to note that, as stated above, the Yale World Fellow’s schedule is very full, so another parent or guardian will be necessary for the care of children.
