Visit Report by bwilton (Member since August 08 2006 with 18 posts) Visit Date - May 2008
Visit to Yale University in May 2008 by bwilton ()
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Very informative and interesting. Note that my visit took place during Bulldog Days, so the info. sessions may have been more dilligently prepared than what is usual. Campus Tour:
Yes - Fantastic! Our tour guide took us on a general tour of Yale's campus, and she then took us inside a dormitory (even into a room), into Sterling Memorial Library, and into the Commons.
Yale University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
As our group walked past Calhoun College, kids hung out of their windows and yelled at us to choose Yale. 85% of the people seemed to be genuinely happy, and courteous at that. Note that some kids are pretty serious academic types, which can make them see
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The admissions officer in charge of my region was awaiting my arrival at a hall on Old Campus, and we discussed my application. Can you believe that? A security guard at Beineke library ran up and gave my younger sister a free postcard as she walked out t
Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
To be frank, not quite as pretty as Princeton in terms of architecture, but still really neat in its own right. Better looking than Harvard. The courtyards on campus created an intimate feel.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Sterile. No garbage anywhere. Each building was pretty well maintained, from what I can tell.
Dormitories: 5 - Excellent -
Amazing. Yale renovates a different residential college each year, so the interiors are uniformly spectacular. Among the best I could imagine. Old Campus appears to be pretty typical of old college dormitories.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Security phones are everywhere, mostly to dispel the myth that Yale is dangerous. According to our tour guide, another tour guide once picked up one of the phones and had a campus officer at his side in fourteen seconds. Well-lit.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
You cannot really know how great a college can be until you visit Yale. That, believe it or not, is objective.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Immediately around campus, New Haven is pretty nice, which runs contrary to popular belief. Nice shops. The New Haven green holds frequent concerts. (It is directly across the street from Old Campus.)
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
Nice, but not without flaws. Better than Cambridge. Not as sterile as Princeton. You could do far worse. Very unique.
Campus Visit Notes for Yale University:
Visit Description:
This past year, I was fortunate enough to be granted admission to Yale, Princeton, and Harvard. Harvard had been my first choice. After my visits (see my Harvard report), I chose Yale. Yale and Princeton are both very nice, but I cannot say the same about Harvard. Princeton was just a bit too quiet for me, but I have no doubt that one qould get an excellent education there.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
I have visited Yale twice, and on both visits, I stayed at the Marriott in Trumbull, CT. Pretty nice.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Try to grab a slice at either Sally's Pizza ar at Pepe's. If you can't, and if you are a Yankees or a Red Sox fan, grab a burger at Louis' Lunch. The burgers don't look like much, but they are excellent. The guys who work there lo
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Parking can be a pain, but there are a few parking garages around campus.
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As our group walked past Calhoun College, kids hung out of their windows and yelled at us to choose Yale. 85% of the people seemed to be genuinely happy, and courteous at that. Note that some kids are pretty serious academic types, which can make them see
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To be frank, not quite as pretty as Princeton in terms of architecture, but still really neat in its own right. Better looking than Harvard. The courtyards on campus created an intimate feel.