<p>I know that if I don't get in, this probably won't matter, but I just wanted to know what kinds of dormitories are at Yale. Are there separate personalities? Or are they randomized? Do we get to pick?</p>
<p>Random. There are 12 residential colleges, and you get assigned to one of them. You can switch after the first year (I think), but few people ever do, 'cause they usually love the one they're in.</p>
<p>Thanks! I also wanted to know if the in-depth life of dormitory life at Yale...anyone care to share their experiences/knowledge?</p>
<p>Well on the first day of freshmen year, we get sorted into our colleges when president levin puts a sorting cap on everyone's head in woolsey hall in a quite grand ceremony, whiffenpoofs chanting in the background. the sly, the slick and the determined get put in ezra stiles, pierson and jonathan edwards. the wise and witty are put in saybrook, trumbull or morse. the kind hearted and humble are sorted into branford, silliman or calhoun. and of course, the brave, bold and beautiful are put in davenport, timothy dwight or berkeley....
okay wow studying for my econ final has really warped my mind.</p>
<p>the housing at yale consists of 12 colleges, which are randomly assigned (unless you're a legacy ;-p) and really are microcosms of yale college as a whole. there are no colleges for athletes, engineering major or musicians; everyone is put together and housed with each other for all four years (unless you're annexed but that's for another day). 10 of the 12 colleges having freshman housing on old campus, which is the center of campus and a hot spot for playing frisbee, reading in the sun, and giant snowballs fights . silliman and TD freshmen live in their colleges which means they're not on old campus which sucks but they get to meet upperclassmen and actually live in their college which pretty is awesome. each college itself houses upperclassmen and all have different styles of architecture (some gothic, some federalist, some modern) and different amenities (most have gyms, some have art studios, dance rooms, kitchens, or printing presses). each college has a unique dining hall and common room as well. they also have late night eating spots called butteries which often have tvs and games and stuff to play with when one should be doing work. each college also has a master, who arranges social activities for everyone in the college and really acts of a parent figure, and a dean, who handles anything academic and serious lol. the master and the dean actually live in the college with their families so everyone really gets to know them well. the actual rooms are suites which can range from 3-12 people. each suite has a common room (except i think in morse and stiles but i'm not sure) and some even have private bathrooms. all are awesome and better than housing at most universities. </p>
<p>so basically i told you what you could have read in our viewbook. i personally love the residential college system like everyone other person at yale. it's what really makes yale unique from other colleges (yeah i know harvard and rice have similar systems but trust me it's a different feel). the colleges really provide a smaller community within yale as a whole. my college is, as corny as it sounds, like one big family. we live together, eat together and become really close. (almost) everyone loves the college they're put into and has tremendous pride for their own and "scorn" for their rival. it's a fun system and probably my favorite thing about yale.</p>
<p>Honestly it's kind of pathetic if you applied early and do not know about residential colleges - they are such a defining aspect of Yale. If you applied Regular, do some research before you have an interview or anything! Residential colleges are awesome!</p>
<p>sgtpepper, what did you mean when you said "the housing at yale consists of 12 colleges, which are randomly assigned (unless you're a legacy ;-p)?"</p>
<p>Great post btw!</p>
<p>i meant that if you're a legacy, or if you have a brother or sister that was in a particular college, then you can request to be in that college.</p>
<p>pepper nails it. I tell people that if you ask 100 alums to cite the single greatest feature of their days at Yale College, I'd surmise 95 of them would say the Residential College system. In subsequent years since graduation, our non-Yale spouses are just amazed at how loyal we are to not only Yale but our RC. If you meet another alum, you introduce yourself as "Jane Doe, Morse College, Class of 99" not "Jane Doe, history major, '99". Your college is everything -- life itself! Shed blood to defend its honor.</p>
<p>Oh, by the way -- hopefully you'll be able to be in the best college, Jonathan Edwards. GO JE!</p>
<p>Thanks! I knew some things about the Residential Colleges. I was just hoping to know more. Sorry if I seemed to have offended some people by applying early by not "knowing enough." =]</p>
<p>If you want an in-depth look at what one of the dorms at Yale looks like, you should check out: Timothy</a> Dwight It's a blog run by freshmen in Timothy Dwight, the smallest (but best!) residential college. The best thing about the residential college system is that you start off your college experience with a bunch of friends. It really is a great community and I can't imagine what Yale would be like without it.</p>
<p>If you go for a Yale interview, don't ask about "dorms." Ask about the residential colleges.
And T26E4 is correct; it is well known that JE is the best college.
By the way, a legacy can also request NOT to be in the same college as his or her relative.</p>
<p>TD-Dude (nice name) - Thanks for the site =] It's pretty interesting to explore around it.</p>
<p>I didn't get a Yale interview because of where I live (the middle of the desert!!). Yale says that it won't affect it, which it probably hopefully won't, but I didn't get a chance to really talk to an alumnus and learn about Yale from first-hand experience. Maybe if I have to go RD, I can schedule an interview. And I'm not in the legacy pile =[</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions and info!</p>