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Yale Young African Scholars

Yale Young African Scholars

YYAS College Prep Workshop (online)

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About the Program

The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) College Prep Workshop is an intensive online program for African secondary school students. It offers admission to approximately 240 students from across the continent. The workshop focuses on career exploration, preparing for the university application process, and transitioning from secondary school to university. Participants need reliable internet access and a device to use Zoom. The program has strict attendance requirements, and students who complete it receive a PDF Certificate of Completion. The workshop is entirely free of charge.

Verified November 4, 2026 against Yale’s 2027 overview, application timeline, eligibility requirements, and sample application. The workshop runs July 15–20, 2027. Early Action was October 20, 2026; Regular Decision is January 20, 2027, both at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time. The overview requires attendance every day; the 2027 FAQ also asks online students to attend as much scheduled programming as possible if circumstances cause an absence.

Eligibility

Must be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English. Must currently attend school in an African country. Cannot be in the final year or term of secondary school, have already graduated secondary school, or be a university student. Past YYAS or YYGS alumni are not eligible to apply for YYAS. You must be between the ages of 14-18 years old on the first day of the program (July 15) in 2027 in order to be considered. A typical YYAS student is between the ages of 16-17. Must be a current 10th or 11th grade student (or the international equivalents). If attending school in the Northern Hemisphere, must be graduating secondary school by earliest May/June 2028 and no later than May/June 2029. If attending school in the Southern Hemisphere, must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2027 and no later than November/December 2028.

Eligible Countries

citizenship, residency permanent, refugee in: Africa🌍 Must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country, or a refugee living in an African country.

How to Apply

Review the 2027 eligibility criteria and sample application, prepare an activities list, one 400-word essay and two short responses, and provide secondary-school transcripts and one eligible recommender completing the online YYAS Recommendation Form. Provide parent/guardian and school-official contact details. Indicate online and/or residential preferences in one application; students receive only one program offer. Complete and submit the online application and check for a confirmation receipt. The sample application asks for a school official to upload the official transcript and permits an unofficial transcript for review if needed.