Yale University Visit Report by mochi

Visit Activities:

Campus Tour: Yes - Pretty brief tour. The guide takes u by some campus-known statues, libraries and usually, two different residential colleges, where u should get to see the inside of a dorm room, although I didn'

Classroom Visit: Yes - In an epidemiological class, a guest speaker gave a loud, energetic lecture + powerpoint presentation on HIV/AIDs. She covered basic info as well as deeper info pertinent to her research.

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Campus:

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Every student I asked for help (usually directions) was very friendly and one even walked me to my destination. The typical Yalie seems happy and VERY social.

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Residential College masters were nice, but slightly formal in demeanor. Admission officer was super-friendly and offered to drive my mom and I from one part of the campus to another.

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Gothic architecture--if u love it, you'll love Yale. I'm a little more modern, but as soon as I entered campus, it grew on me. Campus has spacious structure and is relatively easy to navigat

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No litter on the floor, cafeteria and chapel clean, although not ultra-shiny or anything.

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The clear openness of the campus can tickle the nerves a little, but there are always plenty of students walking around at almost all times of day, so feels safe. School has student escort service.

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Friendly, social students make for lively campus atmosphere. School seems to care about students and run smoothly.

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Off-Campus:

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Lots of stores around campus and lots and LOTS of restaurants, especially Thai. It's pretty easy to find an inexpensive meal or just something to do with friends. Seems safe enough in daylight.

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There are homeless around and robbery is not uncommon, but city seems decently comfortable for its residents.

Campus Visit Notes for Yale University

Visit Description:

I visited during Yale's Bulldog Days (for admitted students). Although the vast majority of the students I encountered were very friendly and social, you should be aware there also seems to be a fair number of obnoxious, or simply very playful, students about. A group of students stood offering cigarettes to incoming freshmen (prefrosh) and another group of students lured prefrosh into a courtyard with promises of a party and then set off the sprinklers.

In any case, Yale is a place where I think everybody can find good friends, although, in some cases, it may require some effort. There are rich, poor, loud, quiet, arrogant and friendly Yalies, but, I repeat, the MAJORITY of Yalies seemed friendly, social and open-minded.

The events for Bulldog Days were impressively organized. There was always something to do and events took place on schedule. The selection of events also seemed carefully planned to allow incoming students to experience as many aspects of Yale life as possible in any, or all, of the three Bulldog Days days. You could easily tour the campus, tour the city, visit classes, learn about various extracurricular activities and enjoy performance by different student groups. The welcome speech was also pretty enjoyable and contained some good humor.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

New Haven Hotel is a block or two from Yale's Old Campus, has decently friendly staff, and will rent a single room for ~$150 a night.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

There is a great variety, but I don't know all the names. Ivy Noodle is supposed to be inexpensive and good; I went to a Thai buffet for a little over $6.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

Taxis are easy to come by. Just dial 203-777-7777-- they arrive pretty quickly.