Worried about Yale

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>I'm facing a decision between Yale and duke. For Yale, I'm looking at 20000/yr versus duke at 10k.
After visiting both schools, I have to say I loved the extra curricular opportunities and the campuses. I'm interested in the Epe or PPE majors, which are both excellent, so there academics looked great as well.</p>

<p>As I'm deciding however, something worried me. I enjoy writing, experiencing different cultures, debating politics, etc. however, in my free time, when i just relax, I enjoy playing sports, hanging out with friends, videogaming, working out, etc. Though I enjoy intellectual pursuits, I like just chilling as well. </p>

<p>I like to say that im a balanced person in this manner and in my school, I feel that I'm a bit more "regular" socially than the stereotype of ivy-leaguers (as social recluses who cling to their books and study 24/7 lol).</p>

<p>I know it's a bad idea to judge a school based on a small number of people, but I met several complete d-bags that displayed a haughty, pompous attitude that just made me feel a lot worse about Yale, and I can't get that sour taste out. They seemed overly arrogant and I just hated that attitude.</p>

<p>I know this judgement is probably completely wrong, but I just need to hear it from some actual Yallies. Are there normal people at Yale that just like to throw around a football? And is this pompous arrogance the realm of a small minority? (As I'd imagine it'd be present at every top school)</p>

<p>Sorry for the scrambled thoughts, I think I just need some reassurance on this factor of Yale's social life.</p>

2

<p>You will find arrogant people everywhere. Yale is no different in that respect and this should not drive your decision. What should drive your decision is where you want to be, where you will be happy and the cost. Academically, both schools are similar. You should try contacting Yale for increasing/matching their FA to Duke’s. Otherwise, if everything else is equal for you, go with the lower cost option.</p>

3

<p>I think you got an unrepresentative impression of Yalies–there are plenty of chill people, and most people are not arrogant. It is true that people tend to be pretty busy with extracurriculars that they want to do, but there are also lots of parties and other fun activities.</p>

4

<p>My son was also a little put-off by a few of the people he met at Bulldog Days last year (pre-frosh, not Yale students). Happily, he has had no trouble finding great, down-to-earth friends this year and is extremely happy socially at Yale. Can’t say that he ever “throws around a football” as he is not a sports lover. (You are likely to find more of those at Duke, I suspect.) But he does lots of “hanging with friends.” There is no question that the workload is demanding, though, and requires a lot of time. I don’t think that is a social issue.</p>

5

<p>Pre-frosh may be more full of bluster than actual Yalies. Frankly, they’re still on a high of being wanted by schools like Yale. once they get there, they come down a few notches – or are forced down a few.</p>

<p>An anecdote to share with you: Upon entering Yale, all of us are assigned a faculty member as an advisor. Mine called a meeting at one of the common rooms to introduce himself and for all his advisees to meet one another. There was about a dozen guys gathered together and we sat in a circle on various couches and chairs. One fellow insisted that we call him “Chateau” (curious as this is French for “house”). Whatever, right? Well as the professor begins his meeting, Chateau gets up from his chair and lies down right in the center of the circle, reclining with his hands behind his head, listening to the professor. My advisor noticed this but didn’t say anything. Around the circle, there were rolling eyes and smirks and thoughts of “Who does this guy think he is?”. Later as we were talking one of the other guys said “Hey Big Toe… oops, sorry, Chateau…” That caught us and several of us let out giggles. I heard that later on, Chateau reverted back to his given name. The witty guy turned out to be in my college and became one of my best friends. It turns out he’d been a prep school boy from long ago and could sniff out posers easily. He was very down to earth and a great guy – funny and a super quick wit.</p>

6

<p>So he dropped “Chateau” and went back to “Lafitte Rothschild?”</p>