<p>I've just returned from the "feast of comestibles." This is a Yale tradition so Hogwarts-like you can't ignore the parallelism (although the tradition is far older than the Harry Potter series so Yale isn't copying Potter). Essentially all Freshman go to Commons Dining Hall, which is decorated with Holiday lights, trees, dozens of large ice sculptures, tons of gingerbread, candy cane decorations, etc. Then trumpets play and dining hall workers dressed up in Santa costumes and in other festive gear come in carrying gigantic platters of food above their heads (e.g. a seven foot long challah bread, a Christmas log cake several feet long, gigantic fish, shrimp cocktails, beef platters, huge decorated fruit platters, platters of pies, cakes, cupcakes, etc etc). All the Freshman go to Commons, but each Residential College also has their own large celebrations so no one is left out of the fun. Walking away from the INCREDIBLE MEAL I saw one student carrying two large lobsters in his hands and another walking out with a specially carved pumpkin decorated with candies and filled with pudding (they give you whatever you want and some take more with them too). After finishing the meal, students split into groups singing carols, others attend College Holiday Plays, etc.</p>
<p>Why am I spending so much time on one seemingly pointless story? Because I think the events is a prime example of the Yale experience. </p>
<p>Let me elaborate: ONE YEAR AGO I WAS YOU. I was a nervous high school student with an early application at Yale only hours away from the deadline.</p>
<p>For those of you who are deferred on the 15th, be optimistic; just because Yale doesnt accept you right off the bat doesnt mean it is not a great place or they dont want you as a student. Early offers are hard to come by, especially this year, and the fact that you werent accepted in the early pool by no means indicates that you wont be accepted or that you werent qualified.</p>
<p>For those of you who are rejected, don't fret; there are plenty of great colleges out there. Everybody will hopefully find their own niche, and there are thousands of excellent schools where you can receive an incredible education. Too often colleges are judged solely on brand name, but the bottom line is that you can receive a top-notch education at a myriad of different schools across the country and be as or even more successful. </p>
<p>But, most importantly, for those of you who are accepted, let me say unequivocally: YALE IS UNPARALLED AND COMING HERE WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. </p>
<p>But what about your other applications? I, like some of you will be, was accepted as part of the early program to Yale. I was ecstatic, but not absolutely positive at the time about my decision so I withdrew all my other applications except what I consider to be the second best undergraduate experience, Stanford. I was accepted there in the spring. (FYI, I didnt apply to Harvard b/c I considered it a bad undergraduate experience and I find the unrenovated facilities lacking relative to Yale but enough on the H-bashing...). Keep your other applications if you want to (personally I think you should withdraw where you definitely wont attend but thats my opinion) but know that only submitting/keeping another option or two besides Yale is not a dumb thing to do, especially with the cost of applications and state of the economy.</p>
<p>But what is it about Yale that is so fantastic? TWO WORDS: YALE CARES. Yes, they have the money; yes, they have prestige; etc etc. But those two words I believe are the critical aspect of what I consider to be my college experience thus far. </p>
<p>It is the fact that on day one when you arrive on campus upperclassmen from your residential college meet you at the curb and carry all the belongings to your house; it is the fact that your FroCos (seniors who live with and help Freshman) host late night pizza and pancake study breaks and invite you over to watch the Office every week; it is the fact that your Master and Dean likely have already memorized your name and face before you arrive on campus; it is the fact that Yale almost always provides certain free food items e.g. cakes/pizza in your Res. College Late-Night Café and subsidizes other food a la carte heavily (Davenports buttery called the Dive has cheeseburgers for $1 YUM); it is the fact that Yale UCS hooks students up with summer internships with the best international firms and organizations and also provides housing and a stipend; it is the fact that my Econ professor instead of a TA emails me back almost immediately when I have questions and is available until 1am in Yales online chat system the night before a test; it is the fact my peers and I are willing to share our notes and help each other out in classes without hesitating a second and my suitemates are eager to spontaneously talk philosophy over a late night meal at Ivy Noodle in-between problem sets. It is the fact that Yale makes the UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE CARDINAL and is willing to put the money and resources behind seeing you successful and happy.</p>
<p>A few days ago I was sitting down with my roommate and we were discussing how Yale had exceeded even our highest hopes. We both agreed that we had absolutely no complaints thus far at our time at Yale not even the food (very good, and now all colleges serve a menu that used to make Berkeley College have the best food but now makes them all great). Actually, that is not absolutely true that I have no complaints: I must admit that I personally dont like the language requirement since I have to take my foreign language for one semester (although the other requirements besides language are better).</p>
<p>Weigh your options. Yale may not be the best school for everyone, and that is completely understandable. But even some of the greatest criticisms against Yale (e.g. weak sciences) simply no longer hold merit; I plan to be a Science/Humanities double major and have found the sciences incredible because they receive so much of the current focus/funding/resources of the university and tons of one-on-one attention in upper courses. Does New Haven suck? Simply, NO. The city around the Yale campus has tons of great restaurants, shops, etc (albeit some are quite upscale) due to an influx of Yale money over the last 15 years: my personal favorites are Louis Lunch, a unique place where the hamburger was supposedly invented and ketchup isnt served, and Toads, a dance hall very near campus that hosts concerts from many of the bands youve heard of and some you havent. New Haven is on the upswing: just a few weeks ago a large new hotel opened besides the already present Mariott, Omni, New Haven Hotel, etc.</p>
<p>Perhaps I have rambled too much. Let me finish briefly.</p>
<p>Revel in your acceptance. Consider your options: I certainly did. But know that theres no place quite like Yale.</p>
<p>For God, For Country, And For Yale!!! CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2013!</p>