TRUMBULL COLLEGE: October 6, 2025
I hope you enjoyed Family Weekend, whether you spent time with your family, your Trumbull family, or both! I’m sorry that I missed the reception on Saturday. We had one last big event for my sister’s wedding on Saturday (mostly for folks who weren’t able to attend the summer wedding), and it was lovely.
Hope you’re all hanging in there. This is an incredibly busy stretch of the term, with some of you taking multiple exams in a given week and some taking multiple exams on a single day. The same goes for deadlines around this time. Please look out for one another and be kind. Instructors are encouraged to give students feedback prior to midterm (Oct 24th), hence the wave of big assignments/papers/projects/exams on top of regular work. On that note, October break is coming up next week! I know that for many, if not all of you, this break is coming at the perfect time. We all need a break (myself included!). Taking small breaks until we get to next Tuesday evening is important!
I want to remind you (again) that YC3 is available for 1:1 support to students. You can book appointments with their Wellness Specialists or College Care Clinicians directly on their website. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them: https://yalecollege.yale.edu/getting-help/yale-college-community-care-yc3.
TC’29: TOMORROW – Academic Integrity Workshop (required) on Tuesday, October 7th at 8:30pm in the Trumbull College Dining Hall. Doors open at 8:15pm. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Meeting with me
To make an appointment, please use the Calendly scheduling tool, https://calendly.com/dean_c, or reach out to Alice with any scheduling issues. For in-person meetings, please come to the office. We’re right here in Trumbull G104, which you can access across from Entryway A or through Entryway G. Zoom meetings (including open Zoom office hours) will be through my Zoom page: https://yale.zoom.us/my/skchandhoke.
My OPEN ZOOM office hours for each week are listed on the top of my Calendly page. When you click on the Zoom link, you will be placed into a waiting room. I will speak to students (one-on-one) in the order they “arrive.” My upcoming open hours are Friday, October 10th (10-11:30am). Please check the little blurb on Calendly for my latest open Zoom hours.
ACADEMICS
Please double check your Course Schedule and Yale Degree Audit to make sure you are officially registered for your courses. If your class list is not exactly what you thought it was, please %20alice.kustenbauder@yale.edu?subject=issues%20with%20my%20schedule">let us know immediately. Many problems that students have with the registration system can be remedied, but being prompt in informing us is essential.
Double credit: If you are interested in petitioning to earn double credit in a single-credit course, please read the relevant section in the YCPS, and then consult with me. The deadline to submit this petition is Midterm, but I recommend that you do so well before that date.
Yale Degree Audit: Yale Degree Audit (YDA) is a tool that tracks your progress toward the bachelor’s degree. You can learn about – and access! – Degree Audit at https://registrar.yale.edu/student-records/degree-audit. Degree Audit displays the Yale College degree requirements that you have already completed and those that are still pending. If you believe that academic information in your degree audit is incorrect, contact our office.
UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES (5pm unless noted)
October 10 Last day of courses offered in the first half of the fall term.
October 10 Last day to withdraw from a course offered in the first half of the fall term.
October 10 Last day to convert from a letter grade to the Cr/D/F option in a course offered in the first half of the fall term.
October 13 Courses offered in the second half of the fall term begin.
October 14 October recess begins after last academic obligation.
October 20 Classes resume.
October 24 Midterm.
October 24 Last day to withdraw from a fall full-term course without the course appearing on the transcript.
October 24 Deadline to apply for double credit in a single-credit course.
October 24 Withdrawal from Yale College on or before this date entitles a student to a rebate of one-quarter of the term’s tuition.
October 24 Final ABX exam grades are due.
November 6 Last day to withdraw from a course offered in the second half of the fall term without the course appearing on the transcript.
TUTORING
Advising Resources: http://advising.yalecollege.yale.edu
Academic Strategies Program: https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/academic-strategies-program
Sc/QR Tutoring: https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/learning/help-with-stem/stem-tutoring
Language Tutoring: https://cls.yale.edu/programs/language-tutoring
Writing Center/Tutors/Partners: https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/undergraduate-writing-and-tutoring; https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/writing-center
Trumbull Writing Tutor: Adam Reid Sexton is the Trumbull College Writing Tutor. Adam teaches three courses in the English department (The Craft of Fiction, Reading and Writing the Modern Essay, and Writing About Music) and is a Critic in the graduate School of Art. During summer 2022 he taught Writing About Music for Yale in London. Adam is also a writer; his next book, Difficult Listening, is due to be published soon. To meet with Adam, please reserve a half-hour by logging on to https://www.yalewco.com/index.php, and be sure to email him the document you want help with by 7am on the day of your appointment. Include the instructor’s prompt, your focus for the meeting, and when the paper is due. Adam looks forward to working with you!
Academic Strategies Program. Through the Office of Educational Opportunity, the Academic Strategies Program helps students navigate the “hidden curriculum” at Yale, the invisible set of underlying assumptions and expectations about how to do well as a student. They offer support groups, individual mentoring, and workshops; see https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/learning.
Chronic Illness Discussion Group. A supportive space for students navigating chronic health conditions to share experiences, coping strategies, and resources. Connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of managing health while pursuing your Yale education. Monday, October 6, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120B
Fantastic Mentors and Where to Find Them: What Is a Mentor? Who Could Be a Mentor? Mentorship comes in many forms—peers, faculty, grad students, alumni—and all of them can shape your Yale experience. This workshop is a conversation about how to recognize potential mentors, build meaningful connections, and make the most of the support already around you. You’ll leave with ideas, inspiration, and guidance from ASP Peer Mentors who’ve been both mentees and mentors themselves. Monday, October 6, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
STEM Navigators: How to Study for the MCAT. Are you thinking of pursuing a career in medicine? A huge part of preparing to apply is taking the dreaded MCAT - how exactly can you tackle this 7.5 hour long exam?! Come to this workshop to learn study skills and how to start making your study plan! Monday, October 6, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120C
Senior Thesis Power Hours. Writing a Senior Thesis is HARD—but it’s way more fun with snacks, support, and friends who get it! Drop in anytime to this two-hour session, hosted by the Yale College Writing Partners and Academic Strategies Peer Mentors, for (1) Facilitated & structured focus time + breaks; (2) Delicious snacks + seltzer water; (3) optional 1:1 help from Writing Partners and Academic Strategies Peer Mentors; (4) the camaraderie you need to keep those ideas flowing. Monday, October 6, 7-9pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120A
How to Read Efficiently and Effectively for Your Literature Classes. Reading literature can feel endless—but it doesn’t have to! Learn how to read closely, manage your time, and generate ideas for papers and discussions. This session is led by ASP Peer Mentors who’ve found ways to read deeply and get it all done. Tuesday, October 7, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
Organize Your Time! Time management isn’t just about being busy—it’s about making time for what matters. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn strategies for balancing your coursework, extracurriculars, and life outside of Yale. With the help of ASP Peer Mentors, you’ll explore different approaches to scheduling, planning, and managing overwhelm—then start crafting a system that works for you. Tuesday, October 7, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
STEM Navigators: Networking in STEM. How do I network? The skills and knowledge you need to make important connections for your academic and career pursuits are untaught in classrooms. Come to this workshop for information and direct feedback and practice on how to network in STEM settings! Tuesday, October 7, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120C
STEM Navigators: Empowering Students - How to Secure Your Summer Research Internship. Interested in doing a research internship this summer? Come to this STEM Navigators-sponsored workshop to learn how to optimize your applications to summer research internships! Tuesday, October 7, 5-6pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120C
How to Lock In: Working Through Procrastination. We all procrastinate—but when it gets in the way of your goals, it’s time for a shift. In this workshop, we’ll explore what’s really driving your procrastination and share strategies to help you break out of the cycle. You’ll leave with tools to reset your habits and move forward—one doable step at a time. Tuesday, October 7, 6-7pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
ADHD Discussion Group. Connect with fellow Yalies who have ADHD to share study tips, time management strategies, and support each other through the unique challenges of college life. Discover resources and build a community that understands your experience. Wednesday, October 8, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 118A
Chat, how do I talk to my professor? Not sure how to start an email or what to say in office hours? You’re not the only one! In this session, Academic Strategies Peer Mentors walk you through real-life strategies for reaching out to faculty and building academic relationships that matter. Wednesday, October 8, 6-7pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
Eli Whitney Caffeinated Commons. Wrap up your week with community, conversation, and caffeine! Drop by this relaxed weekly hangout hosted by the Academic Strategies Program’s Eli Whitney peer mentors—sometimes there’s a theme or discussion, sometimes just snacks and good company. Whether you’re here to chat, decompress, connect, or set up your weekend, you’re always welcome. Thursdays, 4pm-6pm coffee provided. Thursday, October 9, 4-6pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 118B
Imagining Your Summer. Thinking about summer study abroad, fellowship opportunities, or professional internships–but don’t know where to start? Come to this session to hear from students who have done these things & staff whose job it is to help you get these things! You will leave this session with a clearer idea of what is possible, and a solid understanding of what resources could be available to you to make it happen. Now is the perfect time to start planning! Thursday, October 9, 4-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120A
Mid-Term Season: Becoming an Academic Baddie Again. It’s not too late to reset! This workshop helps you reflect on what’s working this semester, shift what isn’t, and build a plan for a stronger second half. Led by ASP Peer Mentors who know the power of small changes and second starts. Thursday, October 9, 6-7pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
DPMP Movie Night. Escape from homework and enjoy a film with friends! We’ll provide the popcorn and cozy atmosphere—you just need to bring yourself for a relaxing evening of cinema and community. Thursday, October 9, 7-9pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 121
Optimize Your Reading. Not all reading strategies are created equal. This workshop introduces flexible, evidence-based techniques for reading more effectively across disciplines - whether you’re prepping for class, writing a paper, or studying for exams. Learn how to approach texts with purpose, not just persistence. Friday, October 10, 2-3pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room M104A
STEM Navigators: Study Hall. Snacks? While studying and meeting peers? Come complete your p-sets, study, and meet your peers in your STEM courses. Snacks and peer mentors are here to help you with any questions about majors, summer opportunities, or classes to take in the future! Mentors will also serve as accountability buddies to make sure you stay on track during the study hall and achieve your academic goals! NOTE: Tutoring NOT provided by mentors! Sunday, October 12, 2-5pm, Poorvu Center CTL, Room 120C
CAREER STRATEGY
The Office of Career Strategy (OCS) offers career advising, professional school advising, employment and internship opportunities, and career development resources. The office works with students and alumni to clarify career aspirations, identify opportunities, and offer support at every stage of career development. Schedule a weekly OCS newsletter tailored to your interests, check out OCS events, opportunities, resources and services at https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/student, get even more tips and announcements at https://ocs.yale.edu/blog.
Yale College OCS-Fellowships Outreach Coordinators
The OCS-Fellowships Outreach Coordinators are undergraduate students in the residential colleges, trained by the Office of Career Strategy and the Office of Fellowships to introduce their peers to the resources of these offices. | Each outreach coordinator serves as the point person for two residential colleges. | When classes are in session, the Outreach Coordinators host programs in the colleges, are available for resume reviews, and can answer questions about career and summer funding resources. | Each also holds Open Hours once a week in each of their assigned residential colleges, which are posted on the OCS website. | Students are invited to visit them during their open hours or contact them directly.
AlphaSights Coffee Chats. Since 2008, AlphaSights been connecting investors and business leaders with the knowledge they need to succeed. Working from nine cities globally, our 1500+ colleagues provide round-the-clock coverage to the world’s top investment funds, consultancies, and businesses. As a Client Service Associate and a Summer Associate, you are the critical link between our top-tier clients and the expert knowledge they seek.
By appointment: Tuesday, October 7, 10am-12pm, Common Grounds, 84Wall Street, RSVP with resume
Drop-In: Tuesday, October 7, 2-4pm, Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea
Sotheby’s Inc. On-Campus Information Session. Join Sotheby’s for an inside look at our 2026 Early Talent Programs. This session will provide an overview of our full-time and internship opportunities designed to develop the next generation of talent across our global business.You’ll also have the chance to hear directly from members of our team and ask questions about what it’s like to grow your career at Sotheby’s. Tuesday, October 7, 1-2pm, HQ, 320 York St, Room L01
Jane Street Capital, LLC Information Session. Join us for an information session about Jane Street’s Strategy and Product internship. This program offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology, finance, and business strategy. You’ll learn how we tackle challenging problems across departments, support the firm’s growth, and gain a holistic perspective of our business. Tuesday, October 7, 6-7:30pm, Register for location
Smithsonian Internships & Fellowships Virtual Information Session. Gain hands-on experience with a world-renowned institution that offers a wide variety of opportunities for any career path. Join our virtual info session featuring staff from the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships. In this hour-long session, you will learn more about year-round internship and fellowship opportunities available throughout all Smithsonian units, research centers, and museums. This event is open to all majors, school years, and alumni! Wednesday, October 8, 12-2pm, Online Event (register for link)
Central Intelligence Agency On-Campus Session. The session will cover the mission of the CIA, how the Agency is organized to accomplish that mission, the current application process for careers and internships, the security process, and how an applicant can enhance their competitiveness through the process. CIA officers will share insights pertaining to work/life balance, security processes, CIA culture, and much more. To be eligible for a 1:1 meeting with CIA representatives on Thursday, you MUST attend this information session on Wednesday. Wednesday, October 8, 5:45-6:45pm, Yale School of Management
Bessemer Venture Partners Information Session. Join Bessemer Venture Partners investors for an exciting session on how you can get involved with one of the world’s leading venture capital firms. Whether you’re interested in becoming a VC or launching your own startup, this is a unique chance to hear directly from the team about Bessemer’s Summer and Full-Time Analyst Programs, and other meaningful ways they support aspiring investors and entrepreneurs. Wednesday, October 8, 6-7pm, Online Event (register for link)
Bank of America Coffee Chats. We are excited to invite you to join Bank of America for a 30-minute Coffee Chat at the Graduate Hotel with members of our Investment Banking Division. Please select a time slot that fits best with your schedule. This event is seeking current first year and sophomore students interested in 2027 Summer Analyst opportunities. Thursday, October 9, 9am-4:30pm, Graduate Hotel, 1151 Chapel Street
Endeavor Global Inc On-Campus Information Session. Endeavor’s Entrepreneur Selection team is visiting campus! We are kicking off our recruiting cycle for both full-time and summer internship roles within our team (summer 2026 start dates), and we’d love to meet with students interested in venture capital, emerging markets, entrepreneurship, and impact. We will be hosting a group information session and individual 1:1 coffee chats. Thursday, October 9, 12-1pm, Tsai CITY, 17 Prospect Street, Room A133
Peace Corps Information Session. The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, environment, and youth development. Come learn more about our service models. Thursday, October 9, 12-3pm, Register for Location
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Information Session. This presentation will feature two senior speakers and a panel of recent alumni, providing an overview of J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking Division and career opportunities for the 2027 Summer Program. Following the panel, we will have a networking session for sophomores interested in internship opportunities. We welcome all students to attend. Thursday, October 9, 6:30-8:30pm, Gallery Room at the Study Hotel
FELLOWSHIPS AND FUNDING
Yale and outside funding options can help support research, study abroad, public service, unpaid internships, and self-designed projects, in New Haven and around the globe. Postgraduate fellowships support independent projects, graduate study, and much more. The Office of Fellowships and Funding helps students identify funding opportunities and navigate the application process. Visit https://funding.yale.edu to learn more.
Fulbright SUBMIT Office Hours: Let’s Click Submit Together! Join Fulbright Program Advisor Jill Carrera to finalize your Fulbright application and click submit! Jill will be available to answer any last-minute questions and make sure you feel good about clicking that submit button.
Monday, October 6, 3-4pm, Online Event (click for link)
Tuesday, October 7, 10-11am, Online Event (click for link)
Yale College Postgrad Fellowships - Info Session #1. The Yale College Postgraduate Fellowships are a collection of fellowships which may range in duration from 3 months to year-long (12 months) opportunities for research, study, and projects. These awards are administered by the Office of Fellowships and share a common application form. Monday, October 6, 4-5pm, Online Event (click for link)
Light Fellowship Information Session #3. The Richard U. Light Fellowship Program fully funds Yale undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students pursuing intensive language study in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for terms ranging from a single summer to a combined summer plus academic year. Attending a Light Fellowship Information Session is a requirement in order to be eligible for the Light Fellowship. Tuesday, October 7, 1:30-2:30pm, 55 Whitney Ave, 3rd Floor, Room 369
[DEADLINE] Knight-Hennessy Scholars. Deadline to apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars, a community leadership program which provides up to three years of funding for graduate studies at Stanford University. Application Deadline = Wednesday, October 8, 4pm (Eastern)
STUDY ABROAD
By spending a summer, semester, or full academic year studying abroad, you will be taking courses that earn graduation credit at Yale, maintaining your advising network on campus, and using Yale funding (as applicable). Plus – through navigating new environments, norms, and perspectives – you will strengthen your soft skills, including adaptability, resiliency, problem solving, resourcefulness, and intercultural communication. Yale Study Abroad is here to support you through the process from start to finish, and it’s never too early to begin planning. Get Started!
Welcome Back Year/Term Abroad!
This event is for students who went abroad in the 2024-2025 school year. As a welcome back to campus, we will have YC3 share tips and resources for re-adjustment to Yale, we’ll scrapbook to commemorate our time abroad (bring your photos; we’ll bring the supplies) and meet other students who went abroad over apple cider and donuts. We’ll also share some future opportunities for fellowships and travel post-study abroad!
Monday, October 6, 5-6:30pm, (Register for Location)
OTHER
Thinking about law school? Have questions about applications, student experience, or how to set yourself up for success during college? Join Trumbull Graduate Affiliates Shah (TC’19) and Shannon (TC’22) as they share insights from their own journeys through law school. Light refreshments—cookies and hot chocolate—will be provided. Come for the snacks, stay for the conversation! Thursday, October 9, 7:30pm, Trumbull Common Room
YC3
All the “Firsts” FGLI Support Group. Feeling far from home? Far from connection? First in your family to attend college? Not everyone who attends Yale begins at the same starting line. If you’ve overcome hurdles, battled imposter stress, and felt a lack of belonging at Yale, this is a space for you. This support space is created for anyone who self-identifies as first-generation and/or low-income and is familiar with the pride and pressures of attending an elite institution. Participants will be encouraged to give voice to their experiences and cultivate resilience in the community. Tuesday, October 7, 3-4pm, Good Life Center Lounge at Schwarzman
Accountability Café. Need some help getting work done before October Recess? So you can actually enjoy the recess! YC3 will be taking over the Silliman Acorn and the Good Life Center at Silliman to offer an Accountability Café. Come and get a free drink and tell Angie, your goal and how long you need to be there for (min. of 1 hour). You decide how often Angie should check in with you and what level of support you would like! Since this is a popular event, you will need to pre-register and if you are late your spot may be given away. Sign up for a session on:
Tuesday, October 7, 1-5pm, Silliman Acorn, 4th floor of Byers Hall
Wednesday, October 8, 1-5pm, Silliman Acorn, Byers Hall 4th floor
YC3 x Chaplain’s Office: Wellness Wednesday, Spiritual Wellness. Join us for this month’s Wellness Wednesday where we’ll be focusing on spiritual wellness in partnership with the Chaplain’s Office! We will have a fun activity utilizing rocks that we’ll paint as we think about spiritual practices and how we experience them. Wednesday, October 8, 2-4pm, Good Life Center at Schwarzman
Yale Library
First Steps with Zotero. Learn how to manage your research, take notes, and create a bibliography with Zotero. Yale users can create a free account with unlimited storage! Monday, October 6, 1-1:30pm, Online Event (register for link)
Advanced Search Techniques. In 30 minutes, learn skills to research like a librarian, including how to use advanced search techniques to find books and articles in Quicksearch. Monday, October 6, 7-7:30pm, Online Event (register for link)
How to Find Scholarly Articles. Are you ready to find articles thoroughly and efficiently, while also avoiding paywalls ($$)? Learn strategies to find the best possible scholarly articles from Yale Library. Tuesday, October 7, 7-7:30pm, Online Event (register for link)
Using the Library Remotely. This workshop is designed to help you maximize your remote access to materials available through Yale Library.
Wednesday, October 8, 10-10:30am, Online Event (register for link)
Thursday, October 9, 4-4:30pm, Online Event (register for link)
Next Steps with Zotero. Learn how to get the most out of Zotero’s advanced features for your unique research and organization needs, including removing duplicate citations, filtering citations with tags, creating annotations, and integrating Zotero with Microsoft Word and Google Docs.. Friday, October 10 1-1:30pm, Online Event (register for link)
Library Workshop Incentive Program
Attend 3 or more library workshops in one semester to receive a free tote bag or water bottle.
Individualized Library Help and Research Support
Students may request a Personal Librarian, request a Research Consultation for a particular topic, or reach out to a Subject Specialist Librarian for individual support.