A LOT of questions to Yale students

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I am interested in applying to Yale in the future, but i also have a lot of questions about it.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Generally speaking, do they often give financial aid to families with very low income (and how much would be expected)?</p></li>
<li><p>What are the dorms like? Big or small? How many roomates? Do they each have individual bathrooms? If they don't is that sometimes a problem?</p></li>
<li><p>How do you get along with your roomate? Was it a good match?</p></li>
<li><p>How much work should be expected? How much time do you study? How much free time do you have?</p></li>
<li><p>Are their many parties for freshman? Do people respect your decision to not drink?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you know anything about the Developmental Psychology Program?</p></li>
<li><p>Generally, how many people are their per class?</p></li>
<li><p>How are the staff? Are the genuinly nice?</p></li>
<li><p>How is the food? And what is the Dining Hall like?</p></li>
<li><p>How is the campus? is it pretty? safe? What about the town? How do you like it? </p></li>
<li><p>Are other students nice or are they stuck-up. (not you, but the other student?) I've heard that Yale has many stuck-up student and I was wondering if you agreed with this or think it is not true.</p></li>
<li><p>What is the dating scene like? Is there normally a lot of one-night stands and hookups at the parties or are the guys more interested in having a monogomous relationship? (generally...)?</p></li>
<li><p>How often do you have the opportunity to continue meeting new people in the middle of the school year?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks in advance for any answers and sorry for so many questions, I'm just really curious.</p>

2

<p>Hi kayla and welcome to CC! Lots of questions, it’s great that you’re excited about the college search. A couple of pointers about finding out information about colleges and navigating this site: </p>

<p>For questions like #1 about FA, it’s best to go to the primary source, the college website. You know that you’re getting factual answers there and you can come back here for discussion of the finer points. Every college website has a FA section that discusses their policies for both need and merit based aid. Many sites have FA calculators that you and your parents can use to get an estimate of what you will pay. </p>

<p>College websites also have great information about admissions, their various programs, class size, dorms and a wide range of other topics.</p>

<p>The Search function (on the upper R above the list of threads) is a great tool for finding answers to many of your questions. For instance, searching “New Haven” will give you many threads where the campus and town are discussed.</p>

<p>Finally, if your family is low income, you should see if you would qualify for the QuestBridge program. There’s a QB subforum under the FA & Scholarships forum here on CC.</p>

3

<p>I must be pretty bored to answer all of these, but I’ll give it a shot.</p>

<ol>
<li>Generally speaking, do they often give financial aid to families with very low income (and how much would be expected)?</li>
</ol>

<p>Dunno. I didn’t even bother with financial aid.</p>

<ol>
<li>What are the dorms like? Big or small? How many roomates? Do they each have individual bathrooms? If they don’t is that sometimes a problem?</li>
</ol>

<p>Depends. The singles are a bit cramped, but that’s acceptable because they’re singles. Some RC’s have huge doubles while others are about medium sized? The common rooms are generally spacious enough. You either live in singles or doubles (triples are rare), but you may have 5-7 suitemates. Usually, bathrooms are shared among suitemates and, sometimes, between suites. There doesn’t seem to be any problem. I haven’t seen too many dorms, but, relative to the dorms at the other colleges I’ve visited, Yale’s are far superior.</p>

<ol>
<li>How do you get along with your roomate? Was it a good match?</li>
</ol>

<p>I think most suitemates get along pretty well. I’m told part of the college experience is learning how to deal with roommate problems (should any arise), but I think the deans of the RC’s usually do a good job of pairing compatible roommates.</p>

<ol>
<li>How much work should be expected? How much time do you study? How much free time do you have?</li>
</ol>

<p>I’m just a freshman, so I can’t really say. But even if I weren’t, I have a feeling that the answer would be: it depends on what kinds of courses you’re taking and how your study habits are. As a rough estimate, I think most people spend around half their time doing class-related activities and half their time doing what they want.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are their many parties for freshman? Do people respect your decision to not drink?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, there are lots of parties. You don’t have to drink. No one cares.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do you know anything about the Developmental Psychology Program?</li>
</ol>

<p>I’m told that Yale has (one of) the best developmental psych programs in the world (i.e. Paul Bloom). The entire psych department is supposedly excellent.</p>

<ol>
<li>Generally, how many people are their per class?</li>
</ol>

<p>Depends. I’m in large intro classes, but I’m told that, as you start taking higher level courses, the number drops significantly (below 20?). Seminars are much smaller though.</p>

<ol>
<li>How are the staff? Are the genuinly nice?</li>
</ol>

<p>I’ve yet to meet a discourteous professor. Then again, I’ve yet to meet many professors period. </p>

<ol>
<li>How is the food? And what is the Dining Hall like?</li>
</ol>

<p>Food is okay. Others really like it, but I’m a bit picky. There are 13 dining halls, each a bit different from the others, but they’re all pretty well furnished and spacious. Some of them are a bit dark, if you ask me. That said, I love the restaurants nearby. The food there is amazing.</p>

<ol>
<li>How is the campus? is it pretty? safe? What about the town? How do you like it?</li>
</ol>

<p>I don’t feel unsafe, but crime tends to be a bigger problem on the Yale campus than it is on other school campuses – or maybe I just get that vibe. We did have a few incidents in the past 2 weeks, but nothing terrible.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are other students nice or are they stuck-up. (not you, but the other student?) I’ve heard that Yale has many stuck-up student and I was wondering if you agreed with this or think it is not true.</li>
</ol>

<p>I haven’t met any stuck-up students.</p>

<ol>
<li>What is the dating scene like? Is there normally a lot of one-night stands and hookups at the parties or are the guys more interested in having a monogomous relationship? (generally…)?</li>
</ol>

<p>Haven’t really been here long enough to tell. I get the feeling that hookups do happen if you actively look for them. I think relationships are a bit more rare (or so I’m told) simply because students find it difficult to make time.</p>

<ol>
<li>How often do you have the opportunity to continue meeting new people in the middle of the school year?</li>
</ol>

<p>Can’t answer that one.</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>I am not a current Yale student, but at incomes under $60,000, the parental contribution is waived. Students may be expected to contribute a portion of their summer-work savings and through campus employment.</p>

5

<ol>
<li>Generally speaking, do they often give financial aid to families with very low income (and how much would be expected)?</li>
</ol>

<p>YES. Yale financial aid is VERY generous to low income families. If your family makes under $60k/year, your parents aren’t expected to pay anything.</p>

<ol>
<li>What are the dorms like? Big or small? How many roomates? Do they each have individual bathrooms? If they don’t is that sometimes a problem?</li>
</ol>

<p>They are generally much nicer than most other colleges. Some of the singles are pretty small, but common room space usually makes up for it. You will probably be placed in a double or a single in a suite of 5-8 other people of the same gender.
Some bathrooms are ensuite. Others are shared with the other suites on your floor. I had an ensuite bathroom last year (which was nice), but my (girls’) suite is sharing with a guys’ suite this year, and it’s really not a problem at all.</p>

<ol>
<li>How do you get along with your roomate? Was it a good match?</li>
</ol>

<p>I had a single last year. Kind of wish I had had a roommate, actually–it got kind of lonely.</p>

<ol>
<li>How much work should be expected? How much time do you study? How much free time do you have?</li>
</ol>

<p>SERIOUSLY depends on the kinds of classes you’re taking, and how much you’re willing to cram for finals. If you’re taking a bunch of lectures that post notes online, you can get away without even going to class and just handing in the homework/going to section and showing up for tests. If you’re taking a lot of seminars, you have to go to class, and you have to have done your reading. Intro language courses are a LOT of work. Yale’s online course evaluations are good at giving you a general idea of what classes are work-intensive, and it’s very easy to strike a balance. </p>

<ol>
<li>Are their many parties for freshman? Do people respect your decision to not drink?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes and yes. Thing is, some parties are really boring if you’re not drunk.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do you know anything about the Developmental Psychology Program?</li>
</ol>

<p>Nope.</p>

<ol>
<li>Generally, how many people are their per class?</li>
</ol>

<p>Varies VERY wildly. I’m taking a 300-person class and a 5-person class this semester.</p>

<ol>
<li>How are the staff? Are the genuinly nice?</li>
</ol>

<p>One of the dining hall staff members gives me a hug every time I see her.</p>

<ol>
<li>How is the food? And what is the Dining Hall like?</li>
</ol>

<p>Aha, interesting question to ask. The answer is that a lot of Yale students are less than thrilled with Yale Dining Services (recently they’ve done weird things to the salad bars and their way of handling vegetarian needs is such that vegetarian needs aren’t satisfied and meat-eaters are ****ed off), but the food is by all standards edible and often quite tasty. Also, there are 13 dining halls specifically catered to undergrads, and undergrads can eat at many more, so.</p>

<ol>
<li>How is the campus? is it pretty? safe? What about the town? How do you like it?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, it is safe, and New Haven is safe as long as you don’t do stupid things like wander alone through the sketchy areas (which are immediately recognizable as sketchy upon sight) alone at night.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are other students nice or are they stuck-up. (not you, but the other student?) I’ve heard that Yale has many stuck-up student and I was wondering if you agreed with this or think it is not true.</li>
</ol>

<p>There are stuck-up Yale students. I’m not friends with many of them. Many people are not friends with them. You can find a niche anywhere here.</p>

<ol>
<li>What is the dating scene like? Is there normally a lot of one-night stands and hookups at the parties or are the guys more interested in having a monogomous relationship? (generally…)?</li>
</ol>

<p>There are a LOT of hook-ups, and much fewer long-term monogamous relationships. (This is true of college culture generally.) That said, there are also people who go for neither. Also, for the record, just about all of my friends are monogamously paired-off. </p>

<ol>
<li>How often do you have the opportunity to continue meeting new people in the middle of the school year?</li>
</ol>

<p>Very often. Just drop by any club, they’ll usually be thrilled to have you.</p>

6

<p>. Generally speaking, do they often give financial aid to families with very low income (and how much would be expected)?</p>

<p>I’m not sure, but I would expect that they do. I mean, they give financial aid to upper-middle class families.</p>

<ol>
<li>What are the dorms like? Big or small? How many roomates? Do they each have individual bathrooms? If they don’t is that sometimes a problem?</li>
</ol>

<p>It depends on which freshman dorm you’re assigned to. Some suites have five people, some have 10. Compared to freshman dorms in other universities, the ones here are really nice. Hardwood floors, fireplaces, window-seats… Farnam has built-in shelves and drawers under the beds…</p>

<ol>
<li>How do you get along with your roomate? Was it a good match?</li>
</ol>

<p>It was a pretty good match. Although we have slightly different sleeping schedules, we haven’t had any problems. Some people have problems with their roommates, but most don’t. And even if you do, it’s no big deal, because you choose who you room with sophomore year. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>How much work should be expected? How much time do you study? How much free time do you have?
A LOT of work. You really have to learn how to manage your time. And trust me, that skill will emerge on it’s own. I never was an extremely organized student. I wouldn’t have things done ahead of time. But when I got here, and procrastinated, and ended up having 100 things due the next day, I immediately started to finish things ahead of time. However, people are always going out on the weekends, or going to study breaks during the week, so you never feel completely overwhelmed.</p></li>
<li><p>Are their many parties for freshman? Do people respect your decision to not drink?
Oh there are PLENTY of parties for freshmen. If you’re 19 and up, you can go to Toad’s. I’ve been there sober and it’s still a lot of fun. Frat parties typically attract drunk athletes, so maybe being sober there would be a bit boring, but there are tons of dance parties hosted by the cultural houses that are a lot of fun.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you know anything about the Developmental Psychology Program?
No I don’t, but Paul Bloom is my professor in my Intro to Psych class, and he is awesome.</p></li>
<li><p>Generally, how many people are their per class?
It depends. Seminars are usually capped off at 15 or so, and language classes are usually capped off at 18. Lectures can be pretty large (e.g. intro to psych) but I don’t find it a huge problem. I personally enjoy lectures more than smaller classes, so I guess it’s a matter of preference.</p></li>
<li><p>How are the staff? Are the genuinly nice?
They’re pretty nice. Some are unbelievable sweet, others aren’t. Just like anywhere else.</p></li>
<li><p>How is the food? And what is the Dining Hall like?</p></li>
<li><p>How is the campus? is it pretty? safe? What about the town? How do you like it?
The campus is gorgeous! I love it. It’s very urban, with streets throughout the campus. It’s relatively safe. As in, during the day, I feel safe walking to classes on my own. At night, I call the escort service.</p></li>
<li><p>Are other students nice or are they stuck-up. (not you, but the other student?) I’ve heard that Yale has many stuck-up student and I was wondering if you agreed with this or think it is not true.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I think there are a FEW stuck-up people, but they’re a minority. Yalies are the funnest, smartest, most fantastic people I have ever met. I think the student body here is very humble compared to that of Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton. </p>

<ol>
<li>What is the dating scene like? Is there normally a lot of one-night stands and hookups at the parties or are the guys more interested in having a monogomous relationship? (generally…)?</li>
</ol>

<p>There are a lot of hook ups and there are a lot of relationships. It’s just a matter of what you’re looking for.</p>

<ol>
<li>How often do you have the opportunity to continue meeting new people in the middle of the school year?
All the time. Every day.</li>
</ol>