Any thoughts about science at Yale?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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<p>The main thing I'm looking for in a university is a strong science and engineering background with ample undergraduate research opportunities and engaging professors. I've already decided to apply, as Yale has practically everything I'm looking for, but it's slightly quieter about its science program than the other places I'm applying. The presence of the question "Does Yale have a strong science program?" on their FAQ page makes me a little more unsettled.</p>

<p>Does anybody have any knowledge or anecdotes about science at Yale which will help me to firm up my decision?</p>

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<p>My number one pet peeve is that people often dismiss Yale as a school only for humanities and social science. So be prepared for a long response.</p>

<p>Science at Yale is GREAT. Like professors at “more science-oriented schools,” science professors at Yale are very accomplished individuals, but most importantly, they are great instructors. Example: I’m currently taking freshman organic chemistry, and Prof. McBride is about as good as they get. He is not only famous for his accomplishment in research, but also in education. His class is different from the conventional organic chemistry class, but I think it’s great. Instead of diving into reactions immediately, he spends the first semester teaching us about the theory behind functional group reactivity and other topics integral to REALLY understanding the reactions that are covered second semester; it’s really incredible how everything fits together perfectly. The material is very difficult and he is clearly trying to challenge us a lot, because (as he mentions at the beginning of the course), his goal is for us to become critical thinkers and be able to approach problems in science innovatively. This is coming from someone who did not do very well in the class, but still loves it. Obviously, not all classes have a lot of theory if you’re not into that; there’s another version of orgo that’s normal orgo. But I think Prof. McBride is a great example of Yale science teaching. Look him up: he has videos of some of his lectures on YouTube under Yale Open Courses, and he has a lot of info about him around the internet; a group of professors from other universities even wrote a paper on his 65th birthday commemorating his incredible research and especially teaching.</p>

<p>Yale has a great rep in the biological sciences and chemistry, and is amazing for those interested in medical school. Research opportunities are ABUNDANT. I literally e-mailed five professors earlier this semester about doing research in their labs, and within a week I received a positive response from all five. There is a list of more than a hundred Yale professors looking for undergraduate researchers; many are from Yale College, but the majority are from Yale Med School (awesome). Most on the list are in the biological sciences. If you’re looking for engineering research, that should be even easier. I believe once you begin your actual engineering classes, since there are not that many students in the discipline, it’s very easy to simply ask your professor for possible research opportunities.</p>

<p>That brings me to engineering. Obviously, Yale does not have quite the engineering reputation of Stanford and MIT. In my opinion, though, that does not mean your education at Yale will be worse. I believe Stanford and MIT are much superior to Yale for GRADUATE engineering, but that it should not make a significant difference at the undergraduate level. Rep is based a lot on program size and research. Obviously Yale has a smaller program (although it’s increasing in size as Yale tries to expand its science/engineering), but I think this provides many advantages in terms of the learning environment. The research should not make a huge difference either since at the undergraduate level, the goal is experience and not necessarily to make a groundbreaking discovery. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of opportunities for research experience and publication. Yale science/engineering majors also place extremely well in graduate school admissions and in the internship/job market, so there shouldn’t be many worries there.</p>

<p>If I have not convinced you at this point, I think it’s important to remember that this is the application stage. If you are accepted to Yale and another “more science-oriented school,” you can make your decision then. And beyond the science/engineering aspect, I think there is a lot about Yale that makes it a very, very special place to be a student. You can look at my post on the “Were you accepted or denied at your dream school” thread that’s headlined to get a feel for it.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Yale science/engineering student who chose to come here over Stanford and absolutely LOVES it</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for taking the time to write your extra-long reply. It was exactly what I was looking for, and I’ll definitely take it into account. You’ve definitely eased my concerns.</p>

<p>What’s hilarious is that I’ve spent all day today working on my Common App essay about the influence my history teacher, also named Mr. McBride has had on me. When I read your post, I actually thought I was accidentally reading my essay for one absurd second. I’m not sure what that means, but maybe it’s a good omen. I’ll definitely look up your guy.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

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<p>Looking for someone else to clarify/add… Yale just recently put some huge amount of money towards their science departments… something like that, right? Haha sorry for not helping much</p>

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<p>I think $1 billion. It should also be noted that it seems like they are trying to expand the science/engineering presence in their student body through admissions. Obviously my experience is biased since I am a science/engineering student and I’ve had more exposure to them, but most of the people I’ve talked to extensively are prospective science majors. There are a lot of them, don’t worry.</p>

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<p>^^ Yes. I had the same worries applying EA, but they have almost completely been cleared up. Yale’s science for undergrad seems as strong as anywhere else.</p>

<p>I now want to take this organic chem class :)</p>

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<p>As physics major, I can unequivocally Yale’s departments are amazing. It isnt that Yale doesnt have great departments or focuses on a small scope or even has a shallow depth. The problem is that the grad programs are so small and therefore the university churns out fewer Ph.D students and when professors work on projects, they almost always work with professors at other universities who will sometimes send multiple professors on one project and that other university will often get more attention.</p>

<p>My physics professor heads huge NASA project (i think somewhere like ~$850m) and yet still takes the time to meet with students individually. They are accomplished and very good teachers. </p>

<p>Where Yale gets a bad rep in math/sciences really comes from math. Most Yale students come into Yale being the top of their class and havent been exposed to any kind of difficult math and have had their hand held the entire way. They take either Math 115 or 120 which is taught by grad students and complain it is too hard. grad students are horrible at nearly every university. most of them don’t care about teaching and their office hours tend to be swamped. that is yale’s fault. however, people who can’t take a triple integral should not be evaluating Yale’s math department. </p>

<p>once you get to the 200 level courses (lin alg and above) everything is taught by professors. I have found them to be excellent, both in lecture and office hours. Another resource that students rarely use but is incredibly helpful is the free math tutors open 3-4 hours every day. These sessions are run by grad students but not being swamped they take a much slower and clearer approach to helping/teaching material. </p>

<p>anyway, I am a freshman who is going to end up taking grad courses in math by sophomore year so I really looked hard at the advanced programs when choosing my school and could have gone to MIT/Princeton/Harvard if I thought Yale wouldn’t offer me enough stuff to do. Yale fit for me on so many other levels that it was the clear choice. Yale is great and you definitely would find a challenging and supportive environment if you get in and choose to come here.</p>