July 23, 2025
Dear Class of 2029,
The Office of Undergraduate Education writes this week with reminders about summer academic deadlines, provides resources and guidance for designing your first course schedule, and invites you to indicate a preference for one of your academic sessions during first-year orientation.
Sincerely,
Hannah Peck
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Yale College
July 23, 2025
Dear Members of the Class of 2029,
Today, we write to remind you of important summer academic deadlines, preview some of the academic components of first-year orientation, and share some thoughts on selecting courses for the fall term.
Academic deadlines
If you have not done so already, start by following the steps outlined in our last message, on June 25:
Complete the mandatory High School Math & Science Survey
Deadline: July 31 (12:00 p.m. ET)
Complete the mandatory Yale 101: Mapping Your Academic Journey course
Deadline: August 15 (11:59 p.m. ET)
Take any relevant online placement exams
Placement exams are available for biology, chemistry, math, and many languages.
Note: students will not be able to register for a course in the calculus sequence without completing the math placement exam (see the Math Intro Courses guide for more information).
Deadline: July 31 (12:00 p.m. ET)
Complete the writing survey
Deadline July 31 (11:59 p.m. ET)
Webinars
You might also consider attending an upcoming webinar, if the topic is of interest:
Health Professions
Kristin R. McJunkins, director for Advanced Degree Applications & STEM Career Advising in the Office of Career Strategy, provides step-by-step guidance for first-year students (and beyond) considering a career in the health professions.
Tuesday, July 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Engineering and Applied Science (including applied physics and computer science)
Mark Saltzman, deputy dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, will give an overview of how to get started in one of Yale’s engineering majors, and allow time for Q&A.
Tuesday, July 29
5:00-5:50 p.m. ET
“Ways of Knowing” Faculty Talks
One academic component of first-year orientation is an opportunity, on August 19, to explore the Yale curriculum through one of multiple talks given by leading faculty members in a range of subject areas. Each talk will describe “ways of knowing” from the perspective of specific disciplines. What counts as evidence and knowledge to a philosopher? An economist? A historian? A neuroscientist? Each of these talks offers a gateway into the Yale curriculum and exemplifies the intellectual journey on which you are about to embark.
You may rank your preferred topics until August 15.
If you do not submit a preference, you will be assigned randomly to a session. All students will be informed of their assigned session by email on August 18.
Fall-term course registration
Registration occurs for first-year students on August 20, during first-year orientation. Most students are able to finish selecting their courses in about 15 minutes, but it will be important for you to have a list of primary courses, prepared in advance, along with a list of alternates. A peer adviser (i.e., your first-year counselor, transfer counselor, or Eli Whitney peer mentor) and staff from the University Registrar’s Office will be available to provide assistance during the registration window. In addition, keep in mind that you may make adjustments to you course schedule, as needed, during the “Add/Drop” period, August 25-September 5.
Course selection advice
Although you will not select courses until August 20, you should begin to think about what courses you might take in the fall term. A complete list of courses offered in the fall term may be found on Yale Course Search, and it includes ways to search courses by subject, keyword, distributional requirement, and meeting day/time, among other attributes and filters.
Below are some general tips for constructing a fall-term course schedule, along with some specialized advice, depending on your interests. Additional advice is available on the Advising Resources website and is summarized in this brief video.
Credits
Students are required to earn at least 8 credits after the first year to be promoted to sophomore standing, and most first-year students enroll in 4 or 4.5 course credits in the fall term.
Seminars
Consider enrolling in a First-Year Seminar. This optional program offers first-year students small-sized, discussion-based courses taught by some of Yale’s most distinguished faculty members in a wide range of subjects. Roughly two-thirds of first-year students enroll in a First-Year Seminar in the fall or spring. Note: there is high demand for the most popular seminars, but if you are flexible regarding the topic, you are likely to find a spot.
Writing courses
Consider enrolling in a writing (WR) course. Developing college-level writing skills will be useful throughout your time at Yale, and it is wise to begin early. Many writing courses are offered through the English department, but there are WR courses in many other subject areas, too.
Placement
Follow any placement advice you receive. Many subjects at Yale offer multiple entry points, based upon a student’s previous experience. The goal of placement advice is to allow you to start at the appropriate level and proceed from there. If needed, you will be able to adjust your level up or down in the opening weeks of the semester.
Chemistry and Biology
If you are planning to apply to medical school, or major in the biological sciences, you are encouraged to take chemistry, with the associated lab, and math in your first year, as well as begin courses in the BIOL 1010-1040 sequence, if possible. But it is not a problem to postpone biology until sophomore year. Please also note the July 29 described above.
Engineering
If you are planning to purse a major in engineering or applied sciences, including computer science, be sure to watch this video for course selection advice. Because these majors have sequential prerequisites, it is important to start at the right place. Please also note the July 29 webinar described above.
Discovery
RELAX. The fall term is just your first at Yale. It’s a time for exploring and for discovering what you like and don’t like. Don’t fixate on finding a major or trying to determine the “perfect schedule,” and don’t fret if you don’t get your top choices or make a choice that doesn’t pan out. That’s part of the process of learning and self-discovery, and you’ll have time to adjust.
We hope you are looking forward to the intellectual feast that awaits, and we look forward to your arrival.
Sincerely,
The Office of Undergraduate Education
Coming dates and deadlines
July 31
Last day to complete Math & Science Survey
Last day to complete Summer online placement exams
Last day to complete the writing survey
August 1
Last day to complete health requirements
Last day to complete Work Hard, Play Smart training
August 15
Last day to complete Yale 101: Mapping Your Academic Journey
Last day to schedule a peer advising session, required of all first-year students
August 17
Last day to complete Perspectives training
August 20
Registration
Have a Question? Write to us.