GSAS First-Year Focus Program

GSAS First-Year Focus is an optional, year-long program for first-year graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, sponsored by the Office for Graduate Student Development and Diversity (OGSDD), to provide incoming students with the skills, connections, and community that will let them flourish at Yale. This program will help you to:

  • gain effective, personalized strategies to navigate academic culture in your department and beyond
  • identify university resources to help achieve your academic and professional goals
  • cultivate meaningful advising and mentoring relationships
  • experience a richly diverse interdisciplinary community 

What should you expect?

GSAS First-Year Focus Orientation

Participate in an orientation event before the beginning of the Fall Semester.

Academic Strategies Workshops

Attend at least four workshops per semester.

Peer Mentoring

Participate in at least two peer-to-peer mentoring sessions with OGSDD Fellows per semester.

Social Events

Enjoy social events and networking opportunities throughout the year.

Spring Upcoming Events Calendar

Is it ever too early to start thinking about your career trajectory? Where should you begin, and who can help you explore career options after Yale? Join OGSDD fellows for a workshop designed to answer these questions and more! We’ll dive into strategies for early career planning, reflect on your goals and interests, and explore opportunities at Yale that many students overlook. Plus, we’ll have a special guest from the Office of Graduate Student Professional Development who will share valuable insights and tools to help you map out your path beyond Yale. Don’t miss this chance to set yourself up for success and start building the foundation for your future career today!

Finding the right lab or other academic setting is about more than just choosing a place to work—it’s about creating an environment where you can thrive. In this workshop, first-year students will learn how to identify key aspects of lab and department culture, such as mentorship styles, collaboration, inclusion, and work-life balance. We’ll also discuss how students can actively contribute to shaping a positive and supportive culture, whether in STEM or the humanities. Join us for an interactive session with practical strategies to help you make informed choices and drive meaningful change in your academic community!
Feeling nervous about public speaking? Want to refine your presentation skills and communicate your research more effectively? Join us for an interactive workshop where we’ll tackle common public speaking challenges, share tips for strengthening your voice and physical presence, and explore the contemporary field of Public Humanities. Through engaging exercises and peer discussions, you’ll gain practical strategies to boost confidence and deliver compelling talks. Whether you’re preparing for a conference, class presentation, or simply want to feel more comfortable speaking in academic settings, this session is for you!

Contact us

Additional Resources for First-Year Students

Featured Resource

McDougal Center

The McDougal Graduate Student Center offers support resources, events, and programming that build community and help you to connect with your fellow graduate students.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

https://sas.yale.edu/students

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with Yale students with acute or ongoing disabilities to provide appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services through an interactive process. The Graduate School's liaison in SAS is Jordan Colbert.

Featured Resource

GSAS Embedded Mental Health Services

GSAS students have access to a variety of free mental health services and programming through the GSAS Embedded Mental Health program.

Featured Resource

Professional & Career Development

We promote an intentional approach to professional development, one that begins with the first year of your PhD and continues to evolve as you build knowledge and shape your scholarly and professional identity. Take advantage of the resources Yale has to offer: join a workshop series on leadership, communication, or project management; develop mentoring skills; or prepare for the job market through workshops on scholarly profile, job market materials, and interviewing skills. You can participate in professional development and career strategy workshops, and also schedule one-on-one consultations about your professional development and job search readiness.