Yale University Top Questions

Best thing: The Beautiful Minds and progessive, creative vibe. The can-do attitude. The positivity. The spirit. One thing I'd change: it's a bit of an unreality; sometimes I want to shake these Beautiful Minds into the real world from whence I came. Such is the plight of the international student. School: TOO SMALL in TOO CONFINED A SPACE. "I go to Yale": Really? (Haha yes, really, surprise!) Wow. Most common Campus haunts: Suites, class, fencing room. College town? What college town? New Haven is it's own thing, for sure - I love it. Yale's admin? It tries, props, but no cigar. Recent controversy? Zeta Phi running outside the women's centre screaming "I LOVE YALE SLUTS!" and the ensuing failed lawsuit. Swastikas of packed snow on trees. School pride? Like no other. We heart Yale more than you heart your college and we'll prove it by wearing all the merchandise we can buy. Unusual? The people are STRANGE, but beautiful. BUT STRANGE! One experience I'll always remember? Taking a poor freshman's virginity. Most frequent student complaints? No money, no time, no real life.

I think the best thing about Yale is that it definitely is a place for people to discover new things about the world as well as themselves. If I were to change one thing about Yale it would be the security. I have never felt threatened or in danger, however, I know of a ton of incidents that are very unsettling. I think that Yale is just right. When I tell people I go to Yale they usually say things like, "Wow, you must be really smart," or "What were your SAT scores?" I think that the biggest controversy on campus is racial diversity and hate crimes. I, personally, do not see racial diversity as a problem. If anything, I see a lot of self-segregation. I am Chinese-American, but I do not choose my friends based on their ethnicity. I have met people through activities that I enjoy. I am not trying to say that there isn't a problem, but I think that it is sometimes over-exaggerated. I do not think that there is a lot of school pride in the same way that there is at a big football school, but I do believe that most of the students at Yale love this school and love being part of life here.

Perfect. People are scared that Yale is not safe however every Yalie can tell you that there is no danger if you stay around campus. College pride is huge. The area around the campus is very geared towards the students. Obviously the reputation is huge.

The professors are at the forefront of their fields, often have written textbooks for their course or similar courses, are open, dedicated and available. Students have tendency to say one thing and mean another. Readily apparent social hierarchy organized into cliques.

I love Yale. It's the perfect size (about 5 thousand undergrads and 11 thousand total), and it's made to feel like home with the residential college system (think Hogwarts, except 12 colleges and there's no magic). New Haven is a wonderful city to live in because there are so many cool things to do and see (night clubs, restaurants, parks, museums, etc.), but it is also very close to New York City (easy train-ride away). There are definitely impoverished areas, but these provide great ways to help out and improve the world around you- I love it! When you are on the Yale campus or in New Haven it is great, but when you're somewhere else and somebody asks you where you go to school, I often feel like a tool when I say "Yale". Many people tell strangers that they go to Pierson College, or Calhoun College, etc. - whichever residential college they are in. That way, people don't assume anything about you for going to Yale.