Ask a Yale Student (ie: me)

<p>I'm a sophomore. Ask me anything, and I'll give you an hopefully-correct response.</p>

<p>what type dress scene is at yale?</p>

<p>well i would like to ask u if this year defferals have more chances in RD than others?</p>

<p>What is it like going to class with so many bright kids? Does it ever wear on you, or are they all nice to work with? I know Yale is not known for being competitive, but do Yalies ever feel the tension of being surrounded by people as smart/ smarter than them?</p>

<p>Sorry for hi-jacking your thread, Jules, but here's my take:</p>

<p>dress - don't worry about it. It's your average campus. Lots of Yale clothing, a J.Crew kid here and there, some colorful characters.</p>

<p>competition - it's a very, very friendly and cooperative campus. I'd say as long as you steer clear from the obligatory know-it-all section aholes, you'll see your classmates as good inspiration, resource and collaboration more than a threat. I've never felt any tension, but I've experienced a lot of constructive and engaging back and forth type of discussion. I think EVERYBODY here gets that occasional sting of "oh good lord, I don't belong with these genius kids", but you have to remember that you ARE one of those kids.</p>

<p>Also, frankly, there are a lot of duds. Not just athletes (many of our athletes are all-around bright kids), but also kids that excelled at following instructions to the dot in high school, then got to college and can't grapple with more complex thinking independently. You'll recognize them by their incessant word-for-word quoting of reading in section and constant "umm":ing, nodding, and "I agree with talker Y, X is a really good point".</p>

<p>Don't worry about it. Honestly.</p>

<p>Awesome. That's excellent. One thing that Yale has that no other top school has (as far as I can tell) is a class of really brilliant people who are socially competent and actually friendly! I've been in contact with students at other schools who are a lot less laid back. That makes me a little wary, because I want to grow in college, not be shut down by arrogance and false intellectualism. </p>

<p>How does Yale do it? A lot of the kids applying to HYP apply to other schools of that caliber, but there seems to be a marked difference in friendliness. Does anyone have an explaination? It always brings a smile to my face to think of that HUGE contrast...</p>

<p>Also, how much does the average Yalie study? I am looking forward to a challenging course load, but I'm hoping you folks get out of the library once in a while (and I'm sure you do).</p>

<p>How we do it, well. I'd say part of it is the admission committee giving some preference to kids who seem the type to thrive in this particular atmosphere - definitely there's more artsy stuff going on here than at our two main competitors.</p>

<p>More important, I think, is the influence of a very strong art school; the administration fostering a social, friendly and cooperative atmosphere; the residential college system; and the reputation we already have of being a very social and artistic type of place. Simply put there is already a stable culture and atmosphere in place when you get here, and if the adcom did their job right, most kids will thrive and help feed into that culture even further. You get here, and it's a very happy place, and you start spreadin' that love, man.</p>

<p>Haha. We all live in the library from time to time (mostly around midterms), but actually, most people find the hours to be social and just generally lazy without falling behind. I kept imagining everyone else was so much more productive than I am, but we all manage to have a life AND pull our stuff together when it comes down to it. The durfee's coffee pots will become your best bud.</p>

<p>It's reading week right now, and residential colleges have these study breaks every night where you just take the time to go down and have a snack. Which kinda implies you actually have been studying. And speaking of which, oh my god why am I always procastrinating I gotta log off ri</p>

<p>
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What is it like going to class with so many bright kids? Does it ever wear on you, or are they all nice to work with? I know Yale is not known for being competitive, but do Yalies ever feel the tension of being surrounded by people as smart/ smarter than them?

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>I disagree with frrrph's assessment here. Everyone at Yale, even the multilegacy athletes, is significantly above average intelligence. On the other hand, it doesn't wear on you. To be honest, smart people like hanging out with smart people. Yale is a very collaborative environment and it's rarely ever competitive.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
How does Yale do it? A lot of the kids applying to HYP apply to other schools of that caliber, but there seems to be a marked difference in friendliness. Does anyone have an explaination? It always brings a smile to my face to think of that HUGE contrast...

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Residential College system, I think. Yale really makes the effort to ensure that people have a network of people that they can rely upon. You really do become a family. It sounds cheesy, but you'll see what I mean.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]

Also, how much does the average Yalie study? I am looking forward to a challenging course load, but I'm hoping you folks get out of the library once in a while (and I'm sure you do).

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</p>

<p>I've never felt like studying was impeding my ability to do whatever else I wanted to.</p>

<p>Hey I'm admitted EA, and I'm doing terribly in Calculus. Exactly what is the minimum i need to maintain? What is the LOWEST grade i can get?</p>

<p>Don't fail.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm guessing that "doing badly" means "getting a B". Don't worry, you're not in trouble.</p>

<p>Isn't it funny how picky they are when admitting students, but they're not too worried once you're already accepted? (:</p>

<p>To the above:</p>

<p>That answers my question pretty well- I am really looking ofrward to being a Yalie now! You folks seem awesome.</p>

<p>
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but they're not too worried once you're already accepted? (:

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</p>

<p>Accepted kids slack off. It doesn't reflect much of anything.</p>

<p>Wow, you guys make Yale sound heavenly.
Maybe I should push that button and click accept now =)
.....it's so tempting!</p>

<p>how did you get in? i mean what was your GPA, your ECs, SAT scores, etc.</p>

<p>also is it easy to get an A there?</p>

<p>LOL see... I'm getting a D...66%...</p>

<p>So that's the problem.</p>

<p>Okay, here's another question:</p>

<p>I've heard a lot about the "alternative lifestyles" at Yale, with all of the theatre programs and the whole "one in four, maybe more" saying. Is this an intrusive part of campus life? I am not bothered by it really, but I am wondering if it is really loud and active at Yale.</p>

<p>
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how did you get in? i mean what was your GPA, your ECs, SAT scores, etc.

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</p>

<p>meh...
suburban midwest public
good test scores (I: 1600, II: 800x3, like 18 aps w/ 5s)
college courses for two years
high school gpa was meh (not top 10%? not sure - no official rank)
some leadership in school activities, nothing overwhelming
not urm, legacy, athlete, etc.</p>

<p>
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LOL see... I'm getting a D...66%...

[/QUOTE]

Raise it. Seriously. But don't worry too much about the gentleman's C if that's the only one.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]

I've heard a lot about the "alternative lifestyles" at Yale, with all of the theatre programs and the whole "one in four, maybe more" saying. Is this an intrusive part of campus life? I am not bothered by it really, but I am wondering if it is really loud and active at Yale.

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Active, yes. Loud? Not particularly. They're very comfortable in their homosexuality and Yale is tolerant enough that there's not much reason for them to assert their presence in an obnoxious fashion.</p>

<p>Jules- </p>

<p>Does Yale have many small town kids, or is it mostly comprised of private schoolers and people from good public schools? I am from a small town in PA that has sent one person to a "big three" ivy in the last 30 years. I feel like I am as intelligent as anyone, but will be looked down on by the admission committee because I am from a small unknown town.</p>

<p>Also, if I get in, will I be overwhelmed with work? I have maybe an hour of homework every night, and its wuite easy to get a 100 on a test without studying here.</p>