Renaissance Studies Program

Yale University Connecticut, USA / PO Box 208298, New Haven, CT 06520 (203) 432-0672, robyn.charmel@yale.edu http://www.yale.edu/renstudies/undergrad.html Despite the fact that the median scores of admitted students on the verbal and mathematical portions of the SAT generally fall in the mid 700s, and ACT composites in the low 30s, a distinguished high school performance is more important than tests. The Admissions Committee also considers motivation, curiosity, energy, leadership ability, and distinctive talent. The personal essay, as well as evaluations by a counselor and two teachers, provide a great deal of insight into these qualities. We hope to find students who have been committed to their school or community. Diversity in the student body is also important to form a well-rounded freshmen class with those students with exceptional qualities. The program has a language prerequisite, proficiency in French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish is required. The Renaissance Studies Program allows students to major in an interdisciplinary subject, selecting their own area of concentration. Students are required to take 12 term courses: two core courses in "Forms and Ideas of Renaissance Culture" and "The Italian Renaissance,” a senior seminar and a senior essay; and many other courses according to the concentration area picked by the student. The major is “cozy,” since a small number of students pick it. Bachelor's Degree