Lecture Notes

Yale Research and Admissions Insights

Best and Brightest: Concept used by Board Chair and MSN Live to describe ideal students.
Interpretation importance: Admission offices interpret the meaning of 'best' differently.
Criteria for 'Best': Focus on personality, character, responsibility, self-confidence, temerity, and intrinsic motivation.

Incredible Personality & Character: Essential traits for admission; importance of personality in defining a 'great kid.'
Responsibility: Defined as internal locus of control - seeing future as changeable and acting responsibly.
Self-Confidence: Required trait; appropriate levels of self-confidence are crucial.
Temerity: Confidence in who you are and who you want to be.
Intrinsic Motivation: Observing how students respond to opportunities over time.

Authentic Engagement: Key to learning about oneself and discovering true interests.
Types of Engagement: Different forms of engagement are celebrated; robotic team captains to self-described 'nerdy' kids.

Authentic Self-Presentation: Important for applicants; comes with time and investment with family, self, and schools.
Holistic Admission Process: Focus on the individual rather than test scores alone.

Test Scores: No cutoff; focus is on overall applicant and their capabilities.
Holistic Review: Look beyond test scores to evaluate character and potential.
Growth Mindset: Encouraged among students; willingness to take chances and try new things is valued.
Maturity Differences: Acknowledgment that students mature at different rates; importance of long-term growth.

Overall Applicant: Looking for a sense of balance and capability to ensure happiness and success.
Life-Long Growth: Emphasis on the importance of continuous growth and development. The goal is to find where the student truly fits in.