<p>Could someone talk about the directed studies program, specifically mentioning the workload, acceptance figures, the curriculum, and professors?</p>
<p>I was in Directed Studies last year, and I enthusiastically recommend the program to anyone who thinks that the actual course material sounds interesting. I don't know how much you already know about DS, so I'll start with a brief overview. As a DS students, 3 of your classes in both semesters of freshman year will be DS. First semester focuses on the literature, philosophy, and historical and political thought of the ancient and medieval (Western) world, while the second semester continues those areas from the beginning of the Renaissance to the early 20th Century. As a DS student, you will have one lecture a week for each of the three classes on that week's reading, generally given by a professor with particular expertise in work being studied (often a professor who does not even lead a DS section). You will also have two sections a week per class (18 students per section) that meets with a professor, meaning that it is a great chance to get to know faculty as a freshman.
To respond to your specific queries: the workload can be somewhat greater than that of most other classes if you do all the reading. You do a lot of reading every week (as an example, we read War and Peace in its entirety in two weeks, and that was just the reading for one of the three classes). You will also write three short (5-7 pages) papers per class per semester (9 total per semester). Many Yalies not in DS think that the papers are the major part of the workload, but they're not actually that bad, and a diligent DS student will spend far more time reading than writing. Acceptance to DS occurs in one of three ways. Some DSers are pre-admitted at the same time they are accepted to Yale, without any separate application (the offer of DS admission comes a week or two after RD decisions). All other incoming freshman can apply for DS in June. Some will be admitted after applying, while all other applicants will be put on a DS waitlist. Students on the DS waitlist can show up to DS in September and try to get placed in the program. Enough people accepted to DS usually change their minds about it in September that most waitlistees who really want a spot can get one.
The professors in DS range from distinguished full professors (my philosophy professor 2nd semester was chair of the department) to postdoctoral fellows (recent PhD recipients). There is a range in quality of faculty, but that is true of all courses at any university. If you find the actual material studied interesting, you will enjoy DS, if not you won't. Though the program is excellent, it cannot make up for a lack of interest in the subject matter. </p>
<p>Hope this helps</p>
<p>Directed Studies sound awesome but I was wondering how difficult it is to take 5 courses one semester when you're in the Directed Studies program and if you would advise a freshman to take the 5 courses fall semester or spring semester</p>
<p>The standard for all students is to take 4-5 or 5-4 for Fall and Winter semesters. One semester I took six. Given the wide breadth you're allowed in assembling your schedule, you can usually insert a less challenging (but still interesting) class. Dare I say, I was a frequenter of "gut" classes -- especially during semesters where my other classes were heavy. Five classes isn't overbearing for the avg Yale student, bballmaster. Even in DS.</p>