Founded in 1701, Yale is among the oldest universities in the nation and is a member of the Ivy League. Yale students enjoy access to some of the best academic resources in the nation. The University offers over 2000 courses each year, with 75% of its classes enrolling 20 students or fewer. The 6:1 student to faculty ratio offers the chance to work closely with some of the world’s most renowned professors. One of Yale’s signature features is its undergraduate housing system. All first-year students are randomly assigned to one of twelve residential colleges, where they live, eat, socialize, and pursue various academic and extracurricular activities. This system, based on the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, builds strong community bonds among students. In fact, over 80% of Yale undergraduates choose to keep living in their residential colleges until graduation.
With 350 active clubs and organizations, from Mock Trial to the Glee Club to the Anime Society, there are extracurricular options for every taste. In addition, the famous Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History gives free admission to all Yale students. This is a great option for a family visit or a lazy Saturday. And if you tire of campus offerings, New York City and Boston are only a short drive (or train ride) away.