Housing at Yale

[spockie111]

I was just wondering what the best option is for first year housing at yale:
harkenss dorm, harkness apartments, or off-campus apartments? do most first years live in harkness?

i'm not really sure if I want to go back to dorm living after living in an apartment for 2 years, but it seems like i would save $, and it would be convenient to roll out of bed and get to class in the morning...

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[Pearface]

during my visit there, I was under the impression that more and more people were opting to live off-campus. There's two apartment towers that I know of that are very close to campus and would be a quick walk to class. I saw one of them and they're quite nice and reasonably priced. Since I never saw the dorms, I can't say what they were like.

 

[maoeris]

I stayed at the dorms during my interview visit, and I will be staying in the dorms next fall. The rooms are small, but I figure I would have less worries living in the dorms and less cleaning to do. I will not have to cook next year, I can eat at the cafeteria or nuke my meals. Also a lot of the students (med and other health) live in the dorms so it would make it easier to meet my classmates. Plus I'm from Cali and I need time to get used to the east coast before finding my own place.

Does anybody know if a car is necessary next year?

 

[DrJ2B]

I stayed at the dorms during my interview visit, and I will be staying in the dorms next fall. The rooms are small, but I figure I would have less worries living in the dorms and less cleaning to do. I will not have to cook next year, I can eat at the cafeteria or nuke my meals. Also a lot of the students (med and other health) live in the dorms so it would make it easier to meet my classmates. Plus I'm from Cali and I need time to get used to the east coast before finding my own place.

Does anybody know if a car is necessary next year?

When I interviewed, I stayed with a host in the Harkness dorms. They are pretty good and pretty cheap. He said that a car is not needed because public transportation to where you need to go is good (med school areas). He did mention that many people get cars for 3rd year when rotations may be at far away hospitals. He did not have a car but did have a bunch of friends with cars and he went down to NYC with them on weekends. There is a shuttle to the undergrad campus if you want to go to the gym.

 

[jhuguy]

If anyone is interested in living in one of the towers near the med school I am looking for a roommate to share a 2 bedroom apt. Please PM me if you are interested.

 

[CaNEM]

Harkness is the most common choice for traditional students, or those only a year or so out of college. It's a good way to socialize and interact with your classmates during the first year, and also a nice way to save money (except for the fact that a meal plan is usually required). About 60% of first years every year choose Harkness.

 

[principessa]

I?m going to live in Harkness. Eh, what?s one more year in a dorm?

 

[freshity]

i'm a 3rd year here. i'd say, if you like living in dorms, and being around all of your classmates 24-7 (as neighbors...hearing them thru the walls, easy access to class organized activities, seeing them all the time, etc.), go for it. it's not cheaper to stay in the dorms, necessarily, as you are required to purchase food from the dorm cafeteria (open only during the weekdays). meanwhile sharing an apt. in new haven could be less monthly rent and you would purchase and cook your own food.

it really depends on what you like. most people opt to live in the dorms for one year only, if that's any indication of how "nice" they are. but it's true that most of the class chooses that route. personally, doing what "most" people do has never been a compelling factor in making life choices, but that's my personal bend. you do not need a car your first year, and if you have one, add in the monthly charge of parking it around campus in the garages (unless you're willing to hunt for street parking).

in my opinion, being in med school is about so much more than hanging around your classmates all the time, which is why living in the dorms doesn't suit me. but it's up to you and what interests you. you can pm me if you have any other q's. good luck!

 

[Preet]

Harkness was good for me. I lived in Harkness for 2 years while I was getting my MPH. I had never lived in dorms before Harkness. I had a great experience at Harkness (1999-2001). And it was soooooo convenient for me especially in the winters. Everything is just a few steps away. At that time it was ~$450/mo + meal plans etc. Feel free to pm me if you have any additional questions.