<p>I've been deciding between Yale and some small liberal arts schools, and I was wondering if anybody could comment regarding how easy it is to get involved with different activities at Yale. I want to branch out and try new things in college, in addition to the many extracurriculars I'm involved in now, but I'm sort of worried that doing that might be harder to do at Yale, due to the larger size as well as cultural differences compared to an LAC. For example, I heard that something like 20 out of 150 people are accepted for the debate team each year; what happens if debate is something I might be interested in, but I want to do it pretty casually, a few hours a week? Do you have to throw yourself into just one or two things in order to do anything of consequence in those ventures, or can you be involved in a decent number of activities and still feel like you're having a fulfilling experience?</p>
<p>Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>Addendum: I’m especially curious how this dynamic plays out with underclassmen. Are your opportunities somewhat limited by age?</p>
<p>Also, just to clarify what I meant by “cultural differences,” my concern, I suppose, is that when you’re at a larger and more competitive place (in comparison to some of the LACs, at least), there’s always going to be someone who is willing to put tons of their time and pour their life into any given activity, and unless I become that person, I’ll essentially get crowded out.</p>
<p>My suitemates practically tried out every extracurricular on campus. It’s not difficult to get involved, and most activities don’t require inordinate amounts of time, unless you’re in some sort of leadership position. That said, to get a meaningful experience out of anything, you should devote time to it (this goes at any school, Yale or LAC). As far as I’ve noticed, none of the activities really have an age barrier or anything. And if you’re into casual debate, the YPU might be for you. The debate team is pretty intense, but many people who are interested in debating politics and philosophy join the YPU, to which you can devote as little or as much time as you wish. Similarly, if you’re interested in music, the YSO is pretty competitive and difficult to get into, but even if you’re not accepted, there are many other orchestras (DPops, SYO, BCO, etc.) and bands (YPMB is a walk-on band) to join.</p>
<p>Also, by deciding between, do you mean deciding where to apply? Hasn’t the deadline to commit already passed?</p>