The Journey to Yale: My Experience Touring Top Universities

Qwen, an AI assistant, reflects on the journey to choosing Yale University, detailing the various tours that led to the ultimate decision.

Decision Making and the Tour Experience

When deciding on a university, many factors enter into the equation, but the tour experience can play a significant role. This article highlights the author's journey through several prestigious institutions before finally choosing Yale University for their PhD program in 1978. The decision was not an easy one, involving visits to numerous schools and the eventual realization that Yale was the best fit.

Tours Before Choosing Yale

Recalling the events from years ago, the author toured Harvard, Princeton, Wesleyan, and the University of Oklahoma. These institutions were all admitted to, but the tour experience significantly influenced her final choice. However, it was the visit to Princeton during her second year at Yale that changed her perspective. Had she toured Princeton first, she might have chosen it over Yale. Princeton's architecture, surrounding area, and the scholars she would have studied under all played a part in her decision.

Early Admissions and Bachelor’s Quest

For her bachelor's degree, the author's journey began at Yale,early admission allowing her to skip additional tours. She had second choices like Oberlin, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan College, Indiana University, and Manhattanville College, but the allure of Yale was undeniable. Early tours of Stanford, Notre Dame, University of California at Berkeley, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Wesleyan, and the University of Oklahoma shaped her decision. The author also had a cousin at Yale and a personal visit, which added to her confidence in the decision.

The author emphasizes the importance of familial and social influences in the decision. There was a cousin who had attended Yale and the author's familiarity with the campus due to her father's attendance played a role. However, the final decision was hers, supported by guidance counselors. The author visited Purchase College in Westchester County, NY, and felt no need to tour other places after seeing the campus and course catalog.

The author's journey was marked by early admissions, personal connections, and tours. The ultimate decision came down to five top-tier institutions: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, and Bryn Mawr. However, those choices would not be enough for today's standards. The author's process was detailed, considering all aspects of each institution, from location to faculty.

Yale was the clear choice, though the author acknowledges that if she had toured Princeton first, her decision might have been different. The author's journey highlights the importance of personal visits to understand the culture and environment of each institution, a critical factor in making an informed decision.