A Breeding Ground for Future Leaders

Each year, only fifteen Yale seniors are tapped to Skull and Bones Silver join Skull and Bones, making it one of the most exclusive organizations in the United States. While the criteria for selection are kept secret, members typically possess a mix of leadership ability, academic success, athletic prowess, and legacy connections. This small, carefully curated group builds deep relationships over the course of their final year at Yale, relationships that are sustained long after graduation.

Unlike many collegiate clubs or fraternities, the society’s influence doesn’t end with commencement. Instead, membership in Skull and Bones becomes a lifelong badge—an informal but powerful credential that can open doors and create opportunities in elite professional spheres.
Presidential Connections: From Taft to Bush

Perhaps the most famous Bonesman is William Howard Taft, the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice of the United States. Taft’s involvement in Skull and Bones marked the beginning of a long tradition of political influence. Throughout the 20th century, the society’s reach extended further into the highest levels of American government.

The Bush family has become virtually synonymous with Skull and Bones. George H.W. Bush, the 41st President, was inducted into the society in 1948. His son, George W. Bush, the 43rd President, followed in his footsteps decades later. Both maintained close ties with other Bonesmen throughout their careers. In fact, during the 2004 presidential election, both major party candidates—George W. Bush and John Kerry—were Skull and Bones alumni, a fact that reignited widespread public curiosity and conspiracy theories about cheap Skull and Bones Silver the organization’s influence.