Yale University

I have been at Yale for nearly two years now and I couldn't be happier with my decision to attend. The campus is beautiful, the people are great, and no one can ask for better academics. To give some specifics:

Campus -
The campus is unbelievably beautiful, especially in the summer and fall. The buildings are gorgeous and the architecture is varied. I think it is much prettier than campuses with cookie-cutter buildings. The campus is big, but not overwhelmingly big. After returning from classes I never have to walk more than a block or two to get to evening review sessions or class sections. The only complaint I have about the campus is that the science majors have a small hike to get to their classes.

People -
Since Yale draws students from across the country, we have a really interesting mix of people. I love my suitemates. We stayed together from freshman year to sophomore year and we're probably going to stay together through junior year. Students are much more collaborative than you would expect. People are always very willing to share their notes or prepare for exams in groups. We all do want to make good grades, but we aren't willing to do it at the expense of others.

Weather -
I don't really appreciate the weather. It's cold and it's rainy, but it's on the east coast so it's what I expected.

Academics -
It's Yale, so you can't beat them. The libraries are incredible, especially the rare manuscripts libraries. I always feel like I have more opportunities for research, study abroad, etc. than I could possibly take advantage of. Every year we get dozens of emails about summer opportunities for research, internships, and trips abroad.

Extracurriculars -
I cannot imagine anyone having an interest they cannot continue to explore. We even have a juggling club.

Residential College System -
I love the college system. They are like dorms, but more inclusive. It's designed to give you a small college feel inside a larger university. Most of the freshman live together on one quad so they can get to know each other during the first year. Then all students split off to live in their respective colleges. Each college has a library, a hang-out area, and a dining hall. Most have gyms and other recreational spaces and they all have something extra, like a movie theater or a dance studio or a pottery studio (my college has all three)!I love Yale!

2nd Year Female -- Class 2010

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B-

When I first walked into the golden gates of Yale, the first thing I saw was a fat antelope scampering across the campus. I went through my journey to Yale like this antelope, scared and lonely. His tortus was green, my face was pungent and I felt nausea 93.5% of the time. The only time I felt at ease was when I was on the can, in the private teachers only lounge because I knew that way no one would ever find me.

5th Year Female -- Class 1985

Innovation: C-, Education Quality: F

I was a little worried about my choice initially, but after just a week at Yale, I knew there was no place I'd rather be. With a faculty that really cares about students, a great/energetic student body, and academics that are challenging and enlightening, Yale provides possibly the best undergraduate experience in the world. The amount of energy that students put into their extracirriculars and especially into life at the residential colleges creates a vibrance that is not matched at peer institutions. People often say that Yale produces so many successful politicians because students learn to get along and work together here, and I think nothing could be more true. Yale educates in a way that leads students to love their work, love each other's talent, and love their school. If you get in, go here. You'll never regret it.

1st Year Male -- Class 2010

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B+