I’m only an incoming undergrad freshman at a liberal arts college right now, but I want to get a head start on preparing for graduate school. I’m majoring in biological sciences, and I have recently become extremely interested in applying to Yale to pursue my PhD in their Biological and Biomedical Sciences program. I know research and recommendation letters are essential to getting into a top graduate program (in addition to GRE scores and GPA). If anyone has applied to/attended Yale for the BBS graduate program, any advice on the admissions process or just input about life as a Yale grad student? Thanks 
Why Yale? If you are coming in as a freshman, it’s probably too early for you to be fixated on a specific PhD program. You have to identify research interests and specific professors who you might like to work with; that’s difficult to do before starting to do undergrad research yourself in college. Your interests and needs might change and morph over the course of the next 3-3.5 years until you make your graduate school list and decide where to go. (It’s also way too early for advice on the admissions process or life as a graduate student there. You won’t be able to do anything with the knowledge.)
Right now, the best thing you can do if you are interested in a PhD in biomedical sciences is keep your grades up and keep your eyes open for research opportunities in someone’s lab as a research assistant. During your first semester, I’d start looking at the professors at your LAC in your biology and related departments and see who’s doing research that seems interesting to you; then, approach them and ask about research opportunities in their research groups.
@juillet Thanks for the advice. You’re right, it’s probably too early to get fixated on a specific program (although I’ve found others that I like, Yale is admittedly kind of my reach school at this point for graduate programs). I’ve researched the program and (as of now) it matches my research interests. Of course, those may change, and I might not even come out of college as a bio major, depending on how my undergrad years go. So, I’m open to changing my mind. But, as general preparation, I’ve already looked into research opportunities with professors at my undergrad school so I can get an early start in looking for lab positions.
I concur: the things you’d do to prepare yourself for that program are the same as you’d do for any other PhD program: good grades, research experience, build relationships for letters of recommendation. Don’t get too fixated on one program now (or even during the application process). It’s alright to have a top choice, but chances are small anywhere, so don’t get so hung up that you’ll be totally devastated not to get in.
@nanotechnology Thanks! And I agree; I made the fixation mistake while I was applying to schools for my undergrad. Lately, I’ve been trying to look at other good graduate programs to avoid getting ahead of myself.
Honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much about trying to look at specific programs at this point. A lot can change for you in the 3 or so years until you’ll be applying. Focus on doing the things that will make you competitive for grad school in general, and start worrying about specific schools/programs your junior year or so.