<p>As a math/science geek, I am often (jokingly) asked if I intend to major in [insert obscure humanities subject] at Yale. So is it true? Is Yale no good for math and science? Also, how are math/science majors ("cool", geeky, nerdy...)? Given that I love the atmosphere at MIT, I'm a bit concerned that the Yale student body is mostly rich/snobby/not laid back and not too quirky/funny/nerdy. Can anyone dispel these fears?</p>
<p>BTW, I haven't actually been accepted to Yale. In the highly unlikely case I DO get in, I'd like to know how well I'd fit in personality-wise at such an elite university. Thanks :)!</p>
<p>First off, when people describe Yale as "weak" in science, they are referring to it being only, say top 10 in the US in overall research/graduate programs in the physical and biological sciences, rather that among the top two or three as it is in the humanities and social sciences. As an undergraduate, this will basically not matter (except perhaps as an engineer, where Yale is considered significantly worse than some of its peer institutions). The quality of undergraduate science instruction is as good at Yale as at any of its major competitors, and there are plenty of research opportunities available. Even freshmen can get involved in research - 2 of the 11 people on my floor will be spending this summer at Yale working with faculty on research. If you are accepted, you might want to consider applying to the Perspectives on Science program, which is a great way to be exposed to the wide variety of cutting edge research done by Yale faculty, and guarantees you support for research in the summer after your freshman year.
I can't claim to be able to compare Yale's culture to MIT's (since all I know about MIT is what I hear from my friends there) but I can guarantee that you will find that most people at Yale are not at all snobby. The math and science majors I know are a good mix of geeky and cool; though they are generally passionately dedicated to their area of interest, they are just as involved in campus social life as everyone else.
To be fair, you will find a lower percentage of science majors among the student body at Yale than at Harvard, Princeton or Stanford (and certainly lower than at MIT), but you will by no means be alone. Yale is a healthy mix of students with a wide variety of interests, with plenty of resources for everyone.</p>
<p>An interesting study that you can download at <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=601105%5B/url%5D">http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=601105</a> (see page 45) showed that students who plan to major in math, science, compsci, and engineering still chose Yale over MIT, Stanford, and Princeton. (Yale ranked first for students planning to major in humanities.) Although the study is several years old I think it's still a good indicator that Yale's math and science programs are well-respected.</p>
<p>Yale's math/science are really awesome, but it's a given that MIT/Harvard students will always do better on the Putnam, etc. I think MIT/Harvard get more "TOP TOP" math students than Yale does.</p>