Yale University - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Although students seem happy with their education at Yale, most realize that a successful courseload depends not only on the professors and the material, but also on the careful selection of classes. There are amazing lectures and seminars in every department, but there are also those few professors and classes that will be disappointing. The key is to choose the right class for you. Some people soon realize they love lectures but not seminars. Some students don’t like to deal with TAs. Some want professors who dominate the class, while others want to interact with the material more directly. Once you figure out what you want, Yale becomes filled with opportunities to learn.

Most students come to Yale for a “name brand” education, hoping the school’s reputation will be enough to carry them smoothly into their future. What these students might not realize is that they must choose to make the name stand for something. If you talk to students here, some will say Yale is a breeze, and some will say it’s the most challenging experience of their lives. This difference of opinion does not rely on the students’ intelligence or the easiness or difficulty of their majors; it has to do with how many opportunities to learn they are willing to accept.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

As a pre-med student, the science... As a pre-med student, the science classes I have taken have, for the most part, been strong—well taught and structured—and I have learned an immense amount of material. Unfortunately, the classes are all large, and therefore, they are inevitably more impersonal. You have to make a fairly big effort to get to know the professor—ha, even to get him to know you exist. 12345 Report

Anonymous says:

The professors are really good.... The professors are really good. I’ve also had some inspirational and other not-so-great TAs [teaching assistants] for my review sections, so it’s up to you to shop for not only classes you like, but also for teachers you like. Every single class and section left me totally inspired—it was the most wonderful feeling ever . . . knowing that you are learning about something you really care about. 12345 Report

Anonymous says:

As an English major, I have been... As an English major, I have been lucky to love almost all of my professors, as well as the seminar leaders. Several stand out—in particular, my professor who was about 70-years-old and came to lectures wearing short tight miniskirts with knee-high, black leather, four-inch heel, stiletto boots. She would comfortably lean against a table at the front of the lecture hall, or perhaps perch herself on the table, and then talk to us, rather than at us. It was a highly intellectual environment, yet simultaneously laid-back and comfortable. I loved her! 12345 Report

Anonymous says:

There are really awesome... There are really awesome professors, some professors that are theoretically cool, but they aren’t really interested in teaching, and some are just bad. Luckily, the shopping system tends to help you avoid the third category. 12345 Report

Anonymous says:

All in all, I think the professors... All in all, I think the professors are strong, accessible, brilliant, and just generally cool people to get to know. I have loved every single class that I have taken at Yale, with the sole exception of a political science class that you don’t want to get me started on. 12345 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

75 percent of Yale courses enroll fewer than 20 students. 29 percent of courses enroll fewer than 10 students.

Sterling Memorial Library is the Second biggest college library in the country.

All tenured professors of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences teach undergraduate courses.

There is no traditional credit system at Yale; instead, students must complete 36 equally weighted courses.

During finals, a group of very naked Yale students runs through the libraries distributing candy to stressed studiers.

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