Programs
We will be celebrating our 11th year in Summer 2026!
Join our Newsletter for updates:
Alumni Perpsectives at First-Year Scholars at Yale
Our annual Alumni Perspectives: Navigating Yale & Beyond
For First-Year Scholars at Yale (FSY) program hosts Yale alumni from Yale College and G&P schools with incoming first-generation and/or low-income students. The joint Yale Summer Session and Yale College event begins with speakers and alumni discussion over lunch. Then, a select alumni panel shares their Yale experiences and answers questions from the FSY student audience. The event then concludes with a two-hour reception where the first-year students network with alumni, followed by an optional, no-host alumni dinner, enjoying New Haven’s lively restaurant scene.
Celebrating our 10th year in November 2025!
Career Networking Mixer
Since 2016, the annual Career Networking Mixer has attracted each year on average over 150 alumni and student from Yale College and G&P schools. 1stGenYale's Career Networking Mixer brings together Yale alumni and students for meaningful conversations, where alumni share their career journeys and insights, and students connect with mentors across diverse fields, gaining advice on transitioning from school to work, leveraging Yale's resources, and navigating career and life challenges.
“Meeting Yale FGLI students is the closest thing to the thrilling experience of a time travel for me. I see myself in their shoes immediately and am happy to share with them what I often try to tell my younger self: Dream BIG. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Cultivate a growth mindset. Be open to serendipitous encounters as much as possible!”
—Sam Samdani ’84
Family Weekend Picnic
On Family Weekend, Yale College welcomes families, friends, and members of the community to participate in dozens of cultural, academic, and social events. 1stGenYale hosts a picnic on the Saturday of Family Weekend on campus, in partnership with the FGLI Community Initiative and the Office of Educational Opportunity, to support FGLI students who don't have family attending. Our alumni become their family! Families of FGLI students who are able to attend the weekend are welcome, too. Our first picnic was in 2019.
NYC Send-Off Party
The Yale Latino Alumni Network has partnered
with 1stGenYale since 2023 to host a summer send-off for
incoming Yale students.
Summer Bulldogs
Since 2020, 308 1stGenYale Summer Bulldogs interns have worked in 155+ nonprofits, government and public service, the arts, education, STEM research, and for-profit companies. Most of our program's students have benefitted from $1.12 million in fellowships and awards Yale has resourced for their summers, providing them an outstanding opportunity to work at organizations that would not otherwise be able to pay enough.
In 2025, we paused the virtual interview and hiring program for that summer, and transitioned to hosting a Summer Internship Fair on campus in the fall for summer 2026 internships.
Yale Undergraduate Admissions Partnership
Beginning in 2024, 1stGenYale has been invited to share alumni perspectives, support, resources, and advice for building a home at Yale with admitted first-years as they make their college acceptance choice. We participate as panelists in-person on campus and virtually during April and May in two programs run by the Admissions Office.
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Bulldog Days Yale & You Panel & Ice Cream Social
An on-campus panel and Q&A session consisting of FGLI alumni and current FGLI students, moderated by YUA staff, sharing expectations and experiences with admitted first generation and/or low-income Yale first-year undergraduates. The last two years we have met in Linsly-Chitten Hall.
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Yale & You for Parents
A virtual panel and Q&A session consisting of FGLI alumni who are Yale parents and current FGLI students, moderated by YUA staff, sharing expectations and experiences with parents of admitted first generation and/or low-income Yale first-year undergraduates.