<p>amb3r -</p>
<p>Yes, I graduated with a BS in a physical science from Yale a few years ago…now have a graduate degree under my belt.</p>
<p>I had two friends who majored in math. Both are in graduate school now, and have positive memories of the Yale department. They participated in REU (NSF funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates) programs as well as did independent work with members of the department. Otherwise, I can’t say much. I took a couple analysis courses in the department. The teaching was quite good, but I prefered the applied “math for physicists” subjects because I found them more relevant to my career. If you arrive at Yale having not had multivariable, I hear that Math 120 can be less than inspiring though. </p>
<p>Now for Physics/Applied Physics (in Engineering). The departments are very open to undergraduates in grad classes. Typically the undergrads who aim for top grad programs start with grad classes their junior year. Almost all the professors are willing to have undergraduates work for them. The research is almost entirely on science hill (in Becton – experimental condensed matter, optics experiment/theory, semiconductor/electronic material design), Sloan (atomic, theory, NMR, etc.), Gibbs (astro, coms), or Wright Nuclear Structure lab. There are Yale professor involved with projects that go on at Brookhaven (STAR) and various observatories. I know people spent summers in the Alps, Hawaii, and Chile doing research in astronomy and did analysis/coding during the semester. The physics department has a new chair Meg Ury, who is not only a brilliant scientist, but someone with a record of improving undergraduate education. </p>
<p>Friends/classmates. Most science majors at Yale do have other interests or at least want exposure to people outside of their field. That’s why they chose Yale over a tech school. But being involved in another activity like music or writing does not mean that the students are not serious about a scientific career. Most semi-normal grad students and professors have lives outside of research. I did know a few people who were only into science (no extracurriculars) and while they kept busy and enjoyed the research opportunities, they did not met a lot of like-minded people and felt isolated.<br>
The good thing about Yale is that it allows involvement in science at all levels of committment. It does not force anyone to be what they are not just to complete a major. Also, as an undergrad in science at Yale, you tend to make friends with the grad students. This was wonderful because you had friends who are also role models.</p>