The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program specifically designed for African secondary school students who have plans to pursue higher education and aspire to become influential young leaders on the continent.
During the program, students will have the opportunity to improve their academic skills, gain valuable insights into university admissions and career paths, and become part of a network of young leaders from various African countries. After completing the program, students will be paired with mentors who will guide them throughout the university application process.
The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) Program 2024
Whether delivered online or in-person, participants will engage in seminars, lectures, and discussions using platforms such as Zoom. All essential program details will be directly communicated to accepted students.
YYAS takes pride in being a member of the HALI Access Network and receives continuous support from The Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale. The program was inspired by its sister initiative, Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS), and operates under its umbrella.
Program Details
By 2024, YYAS will provide two program options: an online program and a residential program. Both options are cost-free, meaning participants do not have to pay any tuition fees to take part in either program.
- The YYAS Workshop (online) accepts approximately 200 students from all African countries. To participate, students must have access to Zoom and Canvas on their own mobile phone, tablet, or computer with reliable internet. The workshop focuses on career exploration, preparing for university applications, and transitioning from secondary school to university. Attendance is mandatory, and students are not allowed to miss any days of the program. Upon successful completion, participants receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion, which can be included in college and university applications. The online workshop is provided at no cost to participants.
- The YYAS Summit, which is available to students across all African countries, accommodates about 120 students who will reside on a Zimbabwean residential campus for ten (10) days. Alongside career exploration and university application preparation, the program will also teach leadership, innovation, design, and 21st-century skills. Attendance is mandatory, and participants are not allowed to miss any day of the program. Upon successful completion, students receive a YYAS Certificate of Completion in pdf format that can be attached to their college and university applications. The YYAS Summit is offered tuition-free ($0), covers accommodations, and meals, and provides all academic materials.
Travel Grants
- For the residential YYAS Summit held in Zimbabwe, all students must have the capability to travel to and from Zimbabwe. Also, students are responsible for arranging and financing any required travel documents, such as passports and travel visas.
- In terms of transportation, including flights, a limited number of Travel Grants are available for students who are admitted to the program and reside outside of Zimbabwe. Every applicant will undergo an automatic review to determine their eligibility for a Travel Grant. Each offer of admission for the YYAS Summit will include information regarding whether or not a Travel Grant has been provided. At that point, students and their families can decide whether to accept or decline the offer of admission, taking into consideration the availability of the Travel Grant.
- Students who do not receive or qualify for a Travel Grant must arrange and finance their own travel arrangements to and from Zimbabwe.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for YYAS, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
- Applicants should fall within the age range of 14 to 18 years old on July 18, 2024. This means being born between July 19, 2005, and July 18, 2010. It’s important to note that most YYAS students are typically between 16 and 17 years old.
- Applicants must be capable of participating in a challenging academic curriculum taught in English.
- Applicants must be individuals who hold citizenship or permanent residency status in an African nation. YYAS also welcomes applications from refugees residing in an African country.
- Applicants must currently be enrolled in a school located within an African country.
- Applicants must be enrolled in either 10th or 11th grade, or their international equivalents.
- If attending school in the Northern Hemisphere, applicants must be set to graduate from secondary school no earlier than May or June 2025 and no later than May or June 2026. For those attending school in the Southern Hemisphere, graduation should take place no earlier than November or December 2024 and no later than November or December 2025.
If you are in your last year or term of secondary school, have already completed secondary school. Or are currently enrolled as a university student, you are not eligible to apply for YYAS.
If you have previously participated in YYAS or YYGS, you are not permitted to apply or reapply for YYAS. However, if you are a YYAS alumnus/a, you may still apply for YYGS if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Application Procedure
- To begin your YYAS application, click on the “APPLY NOW”. It is important to make a note of your email and password so that you can access the application later if needed. The Early Action deadline to submit your application is 10 November 2023 at 11:59 pm EST. While the Regular Decision deadline is 25 January 2024 at 11:59 pm EST.
- To ensure that you have completed all the necessary components of the application, you can check the “Review” page. If any required information is missing, or if there are pages that require additional details, you can revisit them.
- Once your application is fully completed, go to the “Review” page and click on the “Submit Application” button located at the bottom of the page.
- After submission, keep an eye on your inbox for a confirmation receipt from YYAS. This email will confirm that your application has been successfully submitted. Please note that it may take 24-48 hours to receive this confirmation due to occasional delays in payment processing.
Visit YYAS official website for additional information.
Application Deadline
January 25, 2024.
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