My D got an invitation to YES-W. I plan to visit Yale with her. But the weather may not be good in mid Feb and airplane may be delayed or cancelled. Anyone has any experience to share? She was already early admitted to H and plan to visit H in April.
My son did not do YES-W (he applied and was accepted SCEA last year). The minute I say this, I’m probably jinxing it, but my wife flies very often on business and we can count on one hand how often she has been cancelled (we’re in the tri-state area). Delays occur, but that’s not unusual even in good weather.
Re H vs Y: I’m biased, but better late than … 
You’ve probably heard this a hundred times, so I’ll make it 101: Yale students are surveyed to be the happiest. It’s not hype – walk on campus and count the smiling faces.
ETA: well, maybe not during finals week
Thanks for the info. Any hotel recommendation near Yale? How easy to find a parking space in Yale?
We stay at the Omni because it is convenient, but there are other lower-cost options a short drive away. I can’t imagine that they raise prices for YES-W as they do for move-in and Bull Dog Days.
I’m surprised to always find metered parking (inexpensive but time-limited) easily. There are also parking lots. I don’t know about YES-W, but for move-in day they had free distant parking and shuttle buses.
Only about 100 people for YES-W. So the hotel price probably won’t change. Yale will provide free shuttle for students from airport. Maybe a car is not necessary. Not sure how safe to walk to Omni from Yale at night, though?
@hmsy15 How did your D receive her invitation (email or postal)?
@hmsy15 just a quick question if you don’t mind: do you have any idea if all of the yes-w invitations were sent out already, or are they doing it in batches? congratulations to your daughter!
My daughter got the likely-letter Yes-W call a few hours ago, followed by an e-mail inviting her to the weekend. She is thrilled (as am I). She did not expect to get in, which I didn’t understand, as she is top of her class, perfect SATs, NHS, dozens of awards, etc. and she has taken 15 AP courses, getting straight A+'s. Her sister applied 3 years ago (with nearly similar stats) and was wait listed, then rejected, finally going to Wellesley (where she is very happy).
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She had her interview last week and was terribly nervous, but the gentleman who met her was terrific - showed her an article he had just gotten and he asked her for her initial thoughts about it. It was a perfect opportunity to start a conversation, it let her show she is smart, inquisitive, but still respectful, and most of all she can think on her feet, and communicate.
They actually told her they haven’t gone through all of these yet, but they were calling to let some of the people know they were excited to see her application. They only invite a really select few (100 students) as they want to show off the new stuff Yale has to offer.
My husband thinks that she was a shoo-in as she is a female applicant with a STEM interest. I think it is more a luck thing - pretty random - but maybe something about her essay showed her passion for learning about computers science.
I am wondering what I can do as I will not send her to visit there completely on her own. Suggestions?
@3puppies wow! congratulations to your daughter and thank you for all the details. sounds very exciting!!
I would not be concerned about sending your daughter on her own. I sent my daughter on her own to Bulldog Days - admitted students days - on her own in 2013. I am not that familiar with the Yes-W weekend, but I am sure they will have everything arranged to care for your daughter the whole weekend. Congratulations! I hope she loves Yale as much as my daughter does!
If YES-W is anything like Bulldog Days, you wouldn’t see much of your daughter anyway, which IMO is as it should be. At BDD, they had parent activies that were interesting, but the kids were busy elsewhere.
I also sent my daughter alone to YES in 2011. She was perfectly fine. (BTW the Omni is almost on campus; but why would she stay there? She’ll be put up with students which is far preferable)
@donnaleighg, I mentioned the Omni for a parent (if they were coming also).
@rororoyourboat, phone call and email.
@mistswirl, I think they are doing this week.
@3puppies, congratulation!
@donnaleighg, @xnayBob, yes, this is for a parent.
I went to YES-W alone in 2013 and it was great. Your schedule packed with all sorts of fun stuff from the time that you wake up until you finally make it to bed. If my parents had come, I don’t think I would have seen them anyways. The staff takes really good care of the YES-Weekenders so you really have nothing to worry about
Thank you to all for your reassurance that my baby girl will be fine. She probably doesn’t want me around anyway.
I will go there for the YES-W with my son too. I will live in Omni New Haven Hotel which is about 1 mile from the Admission Office as I heard. I wonder if walking that 1 mile is a big deal in winter time at Yale. I am from California.
The Omni is 3/4 of a mile from admissions, and perhaps a mile from science hill, where I imagine much of the action will take place. But the sidewalks will be cleared. It shouldn’t be a big deal; the Omni is almost “on campus” as far as that goes; it is right by Old Campus where most freshmen live.