Yale University Top Questions

College is all about you -- and not just you as a student. You will live, sleep, eat and breathe the college experience during your time on campus, so make sure it's the right fit. Classes, majors, and professors are only a small part of it. Take a deep breath, and really think about what you want. Do you want to play varsity, club or intramural sports? (Or is poetry more your thing?) Be a part of a social scene with significant Greek life? (Or would you prefer less heavy drinking?) Have cultural and artistic opportunties? (Or are tailgates more important?) Be a part of a close knit campus? (or would you rather commute or be more deeply enmeshed in the "real world"?) There is no right answer to ANY of these questions! As you apply to school, think about what matters most to you, and then look at which colleges will give you what you want. Most importantly, rest assured that you can have an amazing experience anywhere -- find your niche, make new friends, and prepare for an amzing experience! Once you're here, an open mind will take you a long way.

I would tell students and parents to sit down and make a list of what they want to get out of a school while they are there and what they would like to do with their education afterwards. Once they are there I would ask that students try new things while making responsible choices and take advantage of the resources that their schools have to offer.

I would tell parents and prospective students to make sure to visit the campus before making a decision; it's the only way you can really get a good feel for the university and you can talk with other students, take tours and perhaps sit in on a lecture. I visited several college campuses in the fall of my senior year and I got a different feel from each one and, I know this sounds trite, but I knew the moment I stepped on Yale's campus that that was where I wanted to go. As far as making the most of your college experience, I would say take as many different kinds of classes as your schedule/major will allow. You only have four years of college and it's perhaps the only time in your life that you could, say, take an art history class with a world-reknown professor or take a class on hindu mysticism. So take advantage of the different courses available. I would also say to make sure to ask for help, especially freshman year. Ask upperclassmen about their experiences and what advice they would give you as a freshman.

Finding the right college is not about attending the best college based on some published ranking. It's about finding a place where you can feel at home, meet people who will inspire you, participate in things that you're passionate about, and have some of the best times in you life.

You'll know when you get on campus if the school is right for you. Take a visit.

Apply early; Do your research

Visit every college and wherever you feel the most comfortable is probably the best place for you!

Choosing a college is all about trade-offs, and a search for that one "perfect fit" school is somewhat misguided. If you're driven and successful in high school, chances are that you could flourish and have an truly rewarding experience in a number of different environments. With this mentality, the search process suddenly becomes a lot less stressful and a lot more exciting.

The first year of college is very important to establishing a sense of who you are. There is a lot of pressure in the first year to constantly be making good first impressions and this stress needs to be acknowledged. I found that participating in a freshman orientation program helped me meet people in smaller groups. Don't go in with expectations of what you will study--you should explore many areas but then decide on one or two quickly to get a head start on your major. You don't have to have a packed schedule of extracurriculars, but do pick one or two that you enjoy and will help you adjust to your new life. Remember that everyone else is going through the same thing and they are all just as scared and as insecure and as stressed as you are. Making them feel welcome and accepted will also make you feel more welcome and accepted. That's the bottome line: everyone just wants to be accepted.

Visit the school and make sure you like and feel good on the campus.