<p>Residential Colleges</p>
<p>In addition to what other posters have said (except Fantastic’s incomplete statements and although I am loath to do so), the RC system has been compared to what JK Rowling introduced to many readers in the form of Hogwart’s Houses. While there’s no “sorting hat”, the fierce loyalty to one’s RC is enormous. As a matter of fact, alums do not introduce themselves as this:" Hello, my name is Jane Smith, Pyschology, class of '95"</p>
<p>Rather, it’s: “Hello my name is Jane Smith, Berkley '95. Oh, you were in Branford? We kicked your butt in intramural women’s soccer my Junior year!”</p>
<p>LOL: I’m exaggerating but most Yalies’ context of their undergraduate days is formed around their RC affiliation. my experience amongst alums is that about 90% of us would say that the RC system was the single most compelling positive about Yale College. Of course the academic offerings could never be fully taken advantage by anyone in four years – however, the loyalty and identity that most Yalies feel is because of this first bond to Yale, the bond through their residential college.</p>
<p>BTW about 95% of students choose to live on campus – tells you how much the avg student feels bonded to the individual college’s daily life and activities. Also because of these huge bonds, the fraternity and sorority scene at Yale is very small unlike some other Ivies.</p>