Founded in 1701, Yale is full of time honored traditions. But each class of Yalies breathes new life into these classics, creating a new experience defined as much by Yale’s history as by the diverse students enrolled today.
“Yale is at once a tradition, a company of scholars, a society of friends.”
Yale historian George W. Pierson
There really is nothing like experiencing Yale for the first time. Check out a photo compilation of my favorite first year experiences at Yale.
Yalies are assigned to their Residential Colleges before their first-year fall. This means that from the moment they step onto campus they are immersed it what it means to be a part of their residential community. No moment shows this as clearly as Move-In Day where new Yalies and their families are welcomed into the community.
The Yale Symphony Orchestra (YSO) is Yale’s largest orchestra perhaps most famous for their Halloween concert. Each year, the ensemble selects a theme and creates a student produced silent movie which the orchestra then plays the sound track to live in Woolsey Hall while dressed in costume.
One of Football’s oldest rivalries, the Yale Harvard matchup has been happening since 1875. Every year,with the hosting school alternating annually, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving the two teams face off in one of the biggest shows of school spirit. Currently, Yale leads the overall win record.
Starting with a gorgeous first-year dinner in Commons and continuing with a special dining menu in each Residential College in subsequent years, Yalies are able to get into a festive spirit and celebrate each other and the people around them during the Holiday Dinner.
One of the largest student run productions on Yale’s campus, Spring Fling is a music festival that invites student bands and chart topping artists alike to perform on a stage set up in the middle of Old Campus at the end of each spring semester.
One of the last traditions that Yalies participate in, the day before Commencement is Class Day. Everyone wears fun custom made hats while listening to members of their class share memories, singing “Bright College Years”, and welcoming a keynote speaker to campus.
