For whoever lives around New Haven....

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Ok, so I wasn't planning on applying to Yale, it just sort of happened around December 20th when I realized that hey, I actually really like Yale, why not apply? (besides the impossibly tiny percent accepted) So now I'm in limbo, but while waiting, I thought I'd ask anyone who lives around New Haven a question that's been bugging me. It needs a little intro first.</p>

<p>Being ranked #1 in my class, I am often asked if I am applying to Harvard and people are then surprised when I say no. (I live in metro-north and usually SOMEONE in my school applies to Harvard, and usually one person gets in every year or so) So since I've grown up around Harvard, I thought, hey, why not? Then I researched it and found out that the undergrad experience was NOT what I was looking for. It seemed cut throat, uncaring and huge. But more than that, it was my experience with Harvard students. I knew a few, but I just saw many more, I went to track meets at Harvard, with Harvard students. I went to pizza places, ice cream shops and book stores filled with Harvard students... </p>

<p>I always got the impression that most everyone there applied to Harvard and went there because they had something to prove, and now that they were in, they felt validated and extra special. I kept wondering, why the hell else would anyone go to this school that seems to be so uncaring towards undergrads? Where people had to sink or swim? Where the people were often snotty or so priviledged they seemed spacey! Harvard does not seem like a real school to me, at least for undergrads. It seems like a caricature, or a play pen, or a club, or most of all, a joke.</p>

<p>All this because I live so close I think. So I am wondering, for all those who live close to Yale, is this how you see Yale? Are Yale and Harvard the same in this respect, but I just don't see it in Yale because I live farther away? I think, maybe that's why intelligent people from the midwest or west coast apply to Harvard; they THINK it's a glorious intellectual paradise and they aren't close enough to see that it isnt all that special, but a name tag that they'll probably have to try to live down the rest of their life. I don't want to go to a school that is mostly prestige and not substance. So what about Yale?</p>

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<p>I've spent a lot of time on the Yale campus and have a ton of friends there. I can honestly say that I have met some of the nicest people while there, but beyond that, some of the humblest. Some people didn't even seem so intelligent to me when I first met them until I heard about some amazing thing they had done. </p>

<p>I've visited Harvard, and know some students there, and I can say that those I know do not fall into your description. I think you may be being a little harsh. Beyond that, Yale and Harvard draw upon the same core group of students, that is to say that I don't think that Yale students are intrinsically different from Harvard students. Perhaps something in the environment is different at either school, but I don't know enough to make conjectures about that. </p>

<p>You say that Harvard students apply and go because it's Harvard. I'm sure that happens. But what at other top schools, where students go because it's the next best thing they have after not getting into Harvard? Harvard students get a bed rep because they go to the school against which all else is measured. I know that next year I will be attending its so called rival school, but I think that any rational human being will know that there is nothing radically different in Harvard students v students at X University. </p>

<p>That being said, I think that Yale is awesome, and compared to Harvard, dare I say awesomer... So you should come if you get in. :)</p>

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<p>I don't live around New Haven and I don't attend Yale, but I do have the same sort of attitude about my home town area. People around the country vie to get into UCLA, but I'm eager to get as far away from it as possible. If you come to SoCal for four years, or longer out of choice, it's probably a blast. But I've lived here my entire life, and I want the heck out. Harvard might look bad to you, in part, because you've grown up there.</p>

<p>I'm guessing you'll be fine at Yale. A little change of scenery makes all the difference.</p>

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<p>Even though I have never visited Yale, I have been to Harvard (not a college visit though) and I too have the impressions of the OP - that Harvard is elitist, uncaring towards its undergrads, and self-concerned, while Yale is free-thinkingly intellectual, challenging, and takes care of its students. Who knows if my impressions are valid...but I applied to Yale and not Harvard.</p>

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<p>I don't live near New Haven and I won't be attending Yale until next year (yay!), but I just thought I'd offer my opinion. </p>

<p>I live a 30 minute's drive from Stanford University, and I can say I feel the same thing that tkm256 and the OP feel about their respective universities. I really can't stand the idea of spending another 4 years here..going to Stanford with practically the same scenery. (What's funny about Stanford is that it makes its RD applicants apply by Dec. 15, right before Yale's EA decisions come out. No way would I have applied to Stanford, and have stayed up all night if I had known I'd get into Yale early. Um anyway...) That said, I think Stanford is an awesome school and, if I lived in, say, New Hampshire, I'd probably want to go to Stanford for that change of scenery. </p>

<p>alscharr, I sort of see some of the stuff you point out about Harvard, but I think that they may be a bit exaggerated or amplified because you live close to Harvard. </p>

<p>I know a lot of students who live in New Haven and really want to go to Yale, but I also know a few who would like to go elsewhere. So, I really do believe your view of schools depends on your location. </p>

<p>Just be sure to visit every school you get into (and are considering attending).</p>

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<p>I live between Harvard and Yale, so I don't know if this counts. But I visited both schools, and I loved Yale. It was open, the kids I meant there seemed humble and easy-going. I visited Harvard, expecting much the same environment...but I felt the opposite. I felt uncomfortable, as if Harvard were saying to me, "Hey, I'm Harvard! Only the best come to me!" I was put off. So, I applied to Yale.</p>

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<p>Yale is famous for their naked parties! Google it!</p>

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<p>i've visited both schools and got good vibes from both, but i too sensed that Yale was more casual, more fun, more community-oriented. we all know that the students at both schools are brilliant and talented, but it seemed to me like Elis just had more fun. they work hard, but play hard too. H seemed like a slightly more competitive, more studious environment. that's just my 2 cents.</p>

9

<p>I'm from Houston, and I can say I have a similar opinion of Rice University, which is about a 30 minute drive from my house. I never had any plans of applying.</p>

<p>But I must also say that I've never heard a person who actually goes to Harvard say that H doesn't care about its undergrads. Also, the Ivy that gives me the impression of being most elitist is without question Princeton.</p>

<p>But I am looking forward to visiting New Haven in April and judging the atmosphere among Elis for myself :)</p>