yale14

There If You Want It, but Don't Bother

Doesn't affect the lives of most students, but can stir up controversy for its own sake.

Extraordinary

Walk around Sterling Memorial, Bass or Beinecke Libraries, and you'll know what I mean. Absolutely first-class.

There If You Need / Want It

I wouldn't live in many parts of New Haven, but East Rock is nice and relatively affordable, if you don't like your college.

A Superb Institution

Yale is a superb institution in virtually every respect. Academic facilities are outstanding, as are the majority of faculty. Accommodation is better than at most places, although Yale could and should easily spend a lot more on some rooms.

Distinctly Underwhelming

For all the fuss about the quality of Yale's housing, I simply don't rate it. Freshman dorms are universally mediocre to poor; expect to be sharing a bathroom with six or seven others, and expect outdated rooms that haven't been refurbished in years. Farnam, Durfee, Lawrance and Welch are the best, but still aren't impressive, whilst Vanderbilt is refurbished but tiny. Bingham is mixed, and Lanman-Wright unacceptable. College housing is better, but that isn't saying much: there are far too many doubles throughout. Many justify the housing by saying that other places have it worse; I don't doubt that, but that doesn't make Yale's facilities good.

If Yale stopped pretending that its housing was fantastic, perhaps it could improve it. Living environment is integral to personal happiness, and for over $55,000 a year I simply expect better.