As the class of 2023’s time at Yale College draws to a close, the News’ data desk took a survey of the graduating class to get a better picture of their academics, social life, future plans and time at Yale overall.
Over the last two weeks, through email and Instagram outreach, the News distributed the survey to the roughly 1,500 members of the graduating class and received 147 responses. The survey was anonymous, and all of the questions were optional, so the sample sizes for each question vary. Depicted here are selected results.
Academics
Most popular intended vs. final majors
The most common intended majors were economics, computer science, political science and “pre-med.” This stayed fairly consistent, as economics, computer science, political science and pre-medical courses of study remained among the most common actual majors of seniors.
In order to better visualize changes in major status, the News grouped majors into five categories: humanities, natural science, applied science, double major and social science. The most notable difference between intended and actual fields of study is the drop in the natural science majors from 32 percent to 20 percent.
How do major fields compare?
Eighty-three seniors responded with their majors, which we then grouped as above into the five described categories. In the charts below, we explore diversity within each major field.
Grade-point averages
Eighty-seven seniors submitted their GPAs through the survey, and of those surveyed, 60 percent had GPAs between 3.75 and 4.00. Nearly 70 percent of respondents said that they study for fewer than four hours a day, and 20 percent admitted to breaking an academic rule during their time at Yale.
Although it often seems like only first-years are on the app, 22 percent of seniors said they have Fizz installed. In this section, we explore relationships between Fizz, coffee and GPA.
Student life
Fast facts
- 18.3 percent of seniors have been involved in Greek life while at Yale.
- 62 percent of seniors said that they have given money to the unhoused in New Haven.
- 27 percent of seniors said at least one other person in their family has gone to Yale.
- Rating how glad they are that they chose Yale, on a scale of 1-10, the mean score was 8.7.
- 45 percent of respondents said that their political views have moved to the left since arriving at Yale, while only 17 percent said that their views have moved right.
- 37 percent of respondents reported feeling discriminated against based on a protected class during their time at Yale.
Political affiliation
The graphs below consider the 103 seniors who assessed themselves politically. Six (about 5.8 percent) respondents marked themselves as “very right leaning” or “right leaning,” so the proportions within those populations may not be representative.
After college
Fast facts
- 27 percent of seniors are heading to New York, making it the most popular next destination for seniors.
- The most popular post-grad field is “Academia or Teaching,” accounting for 21.1 percent of responses.
- The median expected salary is $40,000 – $60,000.
Seventy-seven seniors rated their satisfaction with the News’ coverage on a scale of 1-10, and the average score was 5.4. Thanks to all those who participated in the survey, and hopefully we can do better next year. See you in the fall!
The News thanks The Daily Princetonian, the independent daily student newspaper of Princeton University, for providing inspiration and support.