Fun times as a Yalie

Introduction
Being from northwest Washington I wasn't able to make any east coast college rounds, so view/guide books were very important in my decision. Between the Yale view book and the site online, yale,edu (which includes a virtual tour...very cool) I found everything that I wanted and needed to know.
One thing in particular that drew me to Yale is the residential college system. Although an approximately 6,000 undergrad populace isn't too large, it's big enough where you don't know everyone. That's where residential colleges step in. There are 12 colleges and all freshmen are randomly assigned to one of the colleges, making getting to know your fellow classmates much easier. I have found that the residential college system provides a sense of family that seems to lack in the usual college setting.
Aside from that is the obvious. Yale is one of the premier universities in the world. That means that it has a lot of "best"s or "biggest"s. That's definetly a plus! The gym (Payne Whitney) is one of the largest and has a great cardio/weight area. The book collection is fantastic. If there's a book you're lookiing for it will definetly be there. The list goes on and on.
Being a Yalie, however, is the best thing of all. I can't imagine myself anywhere else. I don't believe that there is a type of student that should "stay away from" Yale. It's a great environment where everyone is accepted and able to find their place. So no matter what, you'll find your niche as a Yalie!

Campus Life and Social Life
There's a little bit of everything here at Yale. With the huge endowment, the university is able to fund any possible club, sport, group imaginable. The university is also able to have its own campus police department. In terms of parties, having your own cops might not seem like a great idea, but it actually works in the student body's favor. I feel like there is not such thing as underage drinking here at Yale. It's like a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Sports, however, are a different story. You have to remember that Yale is an educational institution and isn't here to churn out the next sports superstar. If you're into sports like squash, sailing or crew, Yale is at the top, but the sports like football and basketball tend to suffer.
Overall, Yale has a great social scene, no matter your interests. Academics
Having the name and the funds allows Yale to gave the best and the brightest in the world teaching undergrads. Unlike other universities, i.e. Harvard, Yale's undergrad program focuses on undergrads. It's a wonderful system! Professors are always available and willing to help and encourage visits by students. They are the top of their field and having them as a constant resource is a huge asset. At the same time, the TAs are also very approachable. Aside from teaching section they hold office hours, read over drafts of papers and run review sessions before exams. They are very helpful, which is nice since the workload can be rather heavy. Being focused on academics, Yale wants you to get the most out of each class that you take and become an expert on each class/subject that you study. In the end, because you're accomplishing so much by working hard, the workload becomes routine and unnoticed.

Student Body
It is impossible to describe the "typical" Yale student. We come from all 50 states and many countries around the world. That's what I love about Yale. No two people are the same. We all have different interests and are all unique, but treat each other with respect and are open to others' ideas. It's the best environment and promotes friendships and leanring all at the same time.

In Closing...
Each individual has to choose the right college for them, and for me that choice was Yale. It's been the best decision of my life. I have met tons of new people and have formed friendships that will last me forever. The learning environment is warm and open. Yalies are competitive, but not with each other. We understand each other and feed off of each other, rather than try and destroy each other. I'm here to learn, but am having the best time of my life. If you're looking for fun times, wonderful friendships, excellent academics, old rivalries (that other university that starts with an H), and a great overall experience...come to Yale!