r/yale

I've been having a lot of difficulty lately with Yales Aetna insurance, especially with coverage outside of new haven. Expensive copays, constantly telling me things will be covered and then not covering them, the constant requirement to call Yale and try to justify I need to visit the doctor/ER, long appointment wait times since it has to be in new havens network, etc. Anyone out there have Medicaid with the Yale health insurance? Was thinking that might be a better alternative?

Why are there so many portals? Admitted students portal, incoming students portal, Yale hub, etc. Which portals will I actually need during my time at Yale?

I’ve been trying to complete my required training for first year students, specifically preventing hazing at Yale, but for some reason it keeps saying “Error. This page is inactive” whenever I press on the course in the portal. The same thing is showing up when I click on the Writing Survey too.
I checked canvas and workday, but neither have the courses.

Does it say the same thing for everyone or is it just me, and I need to email first year affair?

hey guys, i know some schools have ap scores already visible on the portal but i couldn't find mine anywhere. is this just a yale thing or does that mean im cooked 🥹

hi! incoming first year here currently shopping for dorm stuff. does anyone know how high the yale beds are off the floor (wrt finding under bed storage cabinets/baskets). online it says 12-36 inches. does that mean it’s adjustable or just that it varies! also, any other insights on the dimensions of most first year rooms (although ik it’s highly variable) is greatly appreciated! tysm!

do you all care if i go to harkness gym and get a quick workout in some scrubs? i promise im clean, just dont want to carry an extra bag of clothes to the hospital and bang something out quick after my shift

So I'm looking through the requirements for the full, ABET-certified electrical engineering B.S., and realizing that I'm pretty much going to have to start my major courses in the first year or risk much heavier workloads later on. BUT, I've been told by a lot of people (not necessarily engineering people) that I should take fewer classes in S1 and prioritize adjusting to college and exploring. What should I do?

Here's what I think my first year will end up looking like, should I choose to start the major immediately.

S1: 4.5-5 credits

PHYS 2000: Fundamentals of Physics

PHYS 2050L: Physics Lab

MATH 1200/ENAS 1510: Multivariable Calculus

ECE 2000: Intro to Electronics

Elective (I really would like to take a language)

S2: 4.5-5 credits

PHYS 2010: Fundamentals of Physics

PHYS 2060L: Physics Lab

ENAS 1300: Computing for Engineers

ECE 2010: Intro to Computer Engineering

Elective (lang???)

As of now, this doesn't leave any room for fulfilling distributional requirements or exploring other subject areas. I'm also slightly torn about maybe majoring in physics instead, which is why I'm leaning to pushing off the into ECE classes to sophomore year and if I do decide to major in engineering I'll just double up on 2000/2020 and 2010/2031, as well as maybe a couple of the required math classes (statistics, diff EQ, linear algebra).

Hey, so I've heard that Yale is seriously considering changing the way it grades undergraduates because grade inflation has gotten pretty extreme (or so they say). Right now, nearly 80 percent of all grades are either an A or an A minus, which means getting an A no longer distinguishes exceptional work the way it once did. Do you guys share that opinion? If you answer, you can specify major or humanities vs. stem since that might influence your experience at Yale.

Took AP Spanish in HS with a test score of 5. Looking to try something different at Yale. Unsure if this is wise or if I should just take the easy route and stick with Spanish.

Considering Italian or American Sign Language. Hit me with your pros or cons on either.

Additionally, any other language recommendations, looking for something enjoyable but not over intense with work or harsh grading.

Let me know your thoughts.

looking for some advice on schedule.. i want to have a light course load (4 creds) for first term as i learn to adjust to college!:) any insight for any of the courses (their rigor, is it worth it, gut class or too difficult) is very much appreciated
pls be brutally honest 😊

interested in ep&e and poli sci, pre-law

Phil 1175 (intro to ethics, lecture)
Plsc 1222 (intro to american politics, lecture)

first year sem options (i want to settle on one, ill probs shop):
- Hums 0245 (6 global perspectives on evil)
- Astr 0400 (expanding ideas of time and space)
- Phys 0500 (science of modern tech and public policy)

last lecture options:
- Hist 0127 (the rise of american capitalism)
- Socy 1704 (contesting injustice)

Q: should i take intro to micro course (Econ 1108) or will that be too much/ should i wait til second sem?

i really appreciate any thoughts anyone has for those who have or know someone who has taken these courses! i’ve been searching over the course catalog for a while now and have narrowed courses ive found interesting + pre reqs for ep&e

Hi all,

Incoming freshman considering EPE major. In designing my first semester schedule I am considering taking one of the specific EPE required classes to get a taste of the major. Anyone in EPE who can offer any reccs among these the classes being offered in the fall semester?

Thanks!

I'm a prefrosh for the class of 2030, and I was thinking about what language I would want to take for my language requirement. Does anyone know how good / reputable the korean learning department is, as well as other good languages to think of? I took french in high school (but I was really, REALLY bad at it), and I can understand korean but don't know enough to talk to my grandparents proficiently unfortunately.

Currently an incoming first-year who is planning on taking the Bio, Language, and Math (calculus) exams as an English & Polisci major. Should I study?

Hey everyone! I just moved to Yale for school and was wondering if there's any kind of stand-up comedy scene on campus.

I used to do stand-up before moving here and would love to get back into it. I looked around New Haven, but the only open mic I could find is 21+, and I'm not 21 yet.

Are there any comedy clubs, student groups, open mics, or informal shows at Yale where people do stand-up? I'd be happy to just come watch at first, and once I write some Yale-appropriate material, I'd love to try a set.

Thanks!

Hi im an upcoming freshman at Yale (Class of 2030') and was hoping to continue my involvement in the arts. I am a visual artist my mediums mostly consisting of acrylic paintings or mixed media sculptures. I do not intend to major in art but this is a passion/hobby of mine I would like to continue fostering during college. I was wondering what opportunities there are in Yale or in the larger New Haven for visual artist or just what the art community and scene is like over there. I am from the west coast so Connecticut is very unfamiliar to me. I appreciate any info on this thanks!!! :)

Hey there! Class of 2030 prefrosh looking for a new language to start at L1 and finish through L4 to complete her language requirement.

I've long wanted to study French, but was initially hesitant due to horror stories about the Yale French department's especially rigorous pedagogy and insane workload. However, this article published in October 2025 from the Yale Daily News notes how "To woo students, French department makes courses easier", detailing changes from eliminating final exams to adopting a weekly “4 plus 1 model”.

Is this an actually significant change? How's the elementary French experience now? Would appreciate any and all insight from those who took French L1 & L2 from scratch in the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 semesters!

hi! i'm a prefrosh intending on majoring in chemistry on the premed track. below are the classes im taking during my first semester at yale, and i was just wondering if it's doable! I do think I will place into freshman orgo since I recently took AP Chem and am stronger in chemistry.

CHEM 1740 (Freshman Orgo)
CHEM 2220L (Orgo Lab)
FREN 1100 (L1 French)
ART 0514 (Freshman Seminar)
ENAS 1510 (Multivariable Calc)

I'm still not sure what calc to take. I do think I can place into multivariable calc since I took AP Calc BC last year, but as a premed, I feel like I should take an easier calculus (for my gpa). However I've heard some people recommend multivariable calc for chem majors (specifically for physical chemistry) and I'd rather do calc now than later. I also heard ENAS 1510 was easier than CALC 1200, but let me know if I'm wrong haha.

Hi! I had a quick question about what major I should do. I would like to be a neurosurgeon at the end of my career and I am going to Yale for undergrad. However, I am struggling picking my major, I applied to Yale for chemical engineering but I have lost my love for it and the classes are very different from the classes I need for premed. I would like to major in neuroscience however I know that it is not very applicable to careers outside of healthcare. I grew up poor so financial security is very important for me. I wanted your opinion because I understand that it would be hard to do chemical engineering and premed but I don’t want to put myself in a bad position if something happens and I have to take a gap before med school. Could I have your opinion, thank you so much! I also wanted to ask if there was a way to see the layout of yales curriculum like which math course leads to which math course, thank you again!