Michelle So, Contributing Photographer

The School of the Environment, or YSE, recently offered admission to its 125th cohort of students. Roughly 80 members of the incoming Class of 2027 traveled to New Haven, representing 26 U.S. states and four countries.

The two-day Admitted Student Welcome Days event will takes place on April 3 to 4 on Yale’s campus, near Kroon Hall, with a variety of events taking place either in the building or close-by. 

Last year’s admitted class ranges from 20 to 46 years old, with some having five to 10 years of professional experience and others matriculating straight from undergrad.

“The admissions team is so excited for this year’s Admitted Student Welcome Days,” Brie Charles, assistant director of admissions, events and recruitment, wrote to the News. “We believe that this year’s program will do a fantastic job of showcasing our campus, community, and academics and will help students feel confident in their decision that YSE can help them make the kind of impact they want to make in the world!”

YSE has traditionally hosted some type of yield program to boost the number of students who matriculate after acceptance, but last year the admissions team adopted the name “Admitted Student Welcome Days” to better reflect the nature of the program. 

According to Charles, their goal during Admitted Student Welcome Days is to “use the 1.5 days students are on campus to get a better sense of what their time at YSE will look like.” 

Admitted students will hear from individuals within their student support teams and meet with members of the YSE Student Affairs Committee and various student interest groups. 

“Admitted Students Welcome Days is a great first opportunity for accepted students to get to know each other and discover everything YSE has to offer,” Kaley Sperling MESc ’26 told the News. “I’m super excited to get to share YSE with the incoming class!” 

Emma Thornton, ENV ’27 SOM ’27 was in charge of organizing a meet-and-greet event for students admitted to the YSE and School of Management joint degree program. The dual-degree program allows students to obtain an MBA from the SOM along with a master of environmental management or master of forestry from the School of Environment. 

On average, fewer than 10 students each year are accepted, providing those who are with a greater sense of community.

“The joint degree community holds events regularly to socialize and build our sense of community, as well as develop academically and professionally,” Thornton wrote to the News. “Our gathering at East Rock Brewing during YSE Admitted Students Welcome Days is a chance for incoming and prospective ‘Joints’ to come meet the rest of our lovely community and get a sense for what it’s like to enroll in the YSE/SOM joint degree program at Yale!”

The second day will be primarily focused on academics and feature micro lectures from two of YSE’s faculty members, Professors Liza Comita and Narasimha Rao. Programming also includes personal outreach from current YSE students and alumni to admitted students through virtual webinars and one-on-one virtual appointments.

YSE admits can also expect a surprise visit from Handsome Dan and Heidi, Yale’s two beloved campus canine celebrities. On the more fun end of the tour, there will also be a tour of the Yale Farm, free food, panels featuring current students and a tabling fair with all of YSE’s Centers and Programs. 

“We hope that during their time here students will get a sense of our tight-knit community and a better understanding of what distinguishes YSE as a locus for environmental education, research, and practice,” Charles said.

While Welcome Days used to take on a hybrid form, the event has transitioned to being primarily in-person this year, with most of the program being recorded and emailed to all admitted students post-program. 

YSE is located at 195 Prospect St.