15 Fun Facts About Yale You Should Know About

Curious about Yale and what makes it such a unique Ivy League school? We’ve got some fun and lesser-known facts to share with you! In this blog, we’ll look at some fun facts about Yale, some Yale traditions that contribute to its rich history, and a few surprises that make this university truly special.

• 15 Fun Facts about Yale
• What Is So Unique about Yale?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

15 Fun Facts About Yale

Yale is a dream school for many students, known for being one of the top universities in the world. As one of the eight Ivy League schools in the U.S., it’s a place that stands out for its academic excellence and rich history.

Here are 15 fun facts about Yale that you need to know about:

1. The name’s origin story

Yale got its name from businessman Elihu Yale, who was once the Governor of the British East India Company. Yes, that East India Company—the same one connected to the Tea Act, which sparked the famous Boston Tea Party boycott, one of the major events that helped ignite the American Revolution.

Interestingly, though, there were many other key donors to the university, including Jeremiah Dummer. However, Yale’s name was chosen because it had a better ring to it, even though Dummer played a significant role in supporting the school.

2. Fireproof

One of the many fun facts about Yale involves fireproofing and a library. At Yale University, there’s a building so secure that in the event of a fire, anyone inside would have just 30 seconds to evacuate before the oxygen is removed, a fire-suppressing gas is released, and the structure is lowered into an underground vault. Surprisingly, it’s not a bank—it’s the Yale Library, home to over 15 million books!

3. Oldest collegiate newspaper

As the third-oldest university in the U.S., Yale has earned its fair share of “oldest” titles. For instance, it’s home to the oldest college daily newspaper still in print, the Yale Daily News, which has been published five days a week since January 28, 1878.

4. Secret societies

The next on our list of fun facts about Yale is about secret societies. Yale’s Skull & Bones is one of the most secretive and exclusive college societies. Membership is reserved for select juniors, usually standout campus leaders like team captains, newspaper editors, and members of the political union. Each spring, only 15 male and female students are invited to join.

Skull & Bones taps just 15 juniors every spring to become members. Historically, those chosen were male students, but in 1992, the society began accepting women as well.  Some of its most famous members include George Bush Sr. and Jr., William Howard Taft, and John Kerry. There’s even a rumor that the group stole Geronimo’s skull and keeps it on display in a glass case!

The society is known for its secrecy and elaborate rituals. Members, known as “Bonesmen” (or “Boneswomen”), meet in the society’s windowless headquarters, referred to as “The Tomb,” located on Yale’s campus. Secret societies have become a consistent part of Yale traditions throughout the years.

5. Unique residential halls

Yale’s residential halls get a well-deserved spot on our list of fun facts about Yale. The university is divided into 12 residential colleges, each acting as its own little community with dorms, dining halls, a library, and plenty of social activities. Each college has its own unique traditions—some of which are pretty quirky. For example, some students take part in jello wrestling, weekly group screams at 11:00 PM, or even stripping down during the third quarter of football games!

Healthy competition between the residential colleges is a big part of Yale culture. These rivalries come out during intramural sports, with the Tyng Cup awarded annually to the college with the best performance across different sports.

Every residential college has a “buttery”—a late-night snack bar where students can grab affordable food, hang out with friends, or study in a relaxed environment. It’s one of the most popular spots in each college.

6. A holiday banquet for the freshies

Each year, Yale freshmen get to enjoy a formal holiday banquet that feels straight out of a Harry Potter movie. This is probably one of the most magical fun facts about Yale. Imagine formal servers walking around with massive platters of food, twinkling holiday lights everywhere, ice sculptures, gingerbread houses, and even fancy swan-shaped pastries. It’s a magical experience

The dinner often draws comparisons to the magical feasts from Harry Potter. Yale’s Gothic architecture, with its vaulted ceilings and long banquet tables, creates the perfect backdrop for this holiday event. The dining halls are decked out with twinkling lights, wreaths, and other festive decorations.

7. Yale and the CIA collaboration

Many Yale graduates have found their way into the CIA, making it a popular career path over the years. Some well-known examples include former President George H.W. Bush (class of ’48) and famous CIA operatives William Bundy (class of ’39) and James Jesus Angleton (class of ’41). According to Philip Jones, Yale’s undergraduate career services director, students today are still very interested in pursuing careers in the CIA.

To add to our list of fun facts about Yale, one of the most famous and controversial figures in CIA history, James Jesus Angleton, served as the head of counterintelligence for over two decades. He was deeply involved in Cold War espionage and became known for his obsession with uncovering Soviet moles.

8. The world’s worst spy

Nathan Hale, often remembered as America’s first (and possibly the worst) spy, was a Yale graduate. He is famous for reportedly saying, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” before his execution.

In 1914, Yale honored him with a statue on campus. There’s a legend that the CIA, wanting to acquire the statue, made an offer to Yale, which was turned down. And to add to our list of fun facts about Yale, according to the story, CIA agents later snuck in at night, created a mold of the statue, and swapped it with a replica. Some people claim that the original statue now stands at CIA headquarters!

Nathan Hale was a Revolutionary War hero who graduated from Yale in 1773. After briefly working as a schoolteacher, Hale volunteered to serve in the Continental Army. In 1776, he was chosen for a dangerous mission: spying on British forces in New York City. Unfortunately, Hale was captured by the British after just one week of espionage. Lacking formal spy training and using his own name, Hale was quickly identified as a spy.

On September 22, 1776, Hale was executed by hanging, but his bravery left a lasting impression on history. His famous last words—though there’s some debate over their exact phrasing—are remembered as a testament to his dedication to the cause of American independence.

9. Home of the influential

The next on our list of fun facts about Yale is pretty common knowledge. Yale has an impressive track record when it comes to producing influential leaders. So far, the university has produced five U.S. Presidents, 52 Nobel Laureates, 19 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and 13 living billionaires. On top of that, it’s been home to hundreds of members of Congress and high-level diplomats.

Yale has been the alma mater for five U.S. Presidents, including William Howard Taft, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Lastly, nineteen U.S. Supreme Court Justices have come from Yale, including recent justices like Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito.

10. World’s premier library for rare book collections

Yale’s Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library is one of the largest buildings in the world dedicated entirely to rare books and manuscripts. Its collection includes some of the most valuable literary treasures, such as ancient texts, manuscripts, and rare editions from around the world.

The structure itself is an architectural marvel. It features a six-story tower made of translucent marble that allows natural light to filter through without damaging the books.

Also, the library has some seriously high-tech security features that sound straight out of a spy movie. If there’s ever a fire, you’ve got just 30 seconds to evacuate before the library fills with a fire-suppressing (but deadly) gas. And if the books are ever in danger, the entire building can lower into an underground vault where all the oxygen is removed to protect the collection. It’s for this reason that this is included in our list of fun facts about Yale.

11. Yale and the Vanderbilts

Some dorms definitely stand out from the rest, and that’s especially true for the Vanderbilt suite at Yale. That’s next on our list of fun facts about Yale.

Vanderbilt Hall was built in 1894 by railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt as a tribute to his son, William Henry Vanderbilt II, who tragically passed away from typhoid fever during his junior year at Yale. The suite, known as VC-22, located above the building’s archway, was designed to be much more luxurious than the rest of the dorm. It features a chandelier, a marble fireplace, and beautifully detailed molding and paneling.

Rumor has it that this special suite is reserved for Vanderbilt family members attending Yale. The most recent Vanderbilt to stay there? Anderson Cooper, Class of ’89.

12. Yale vs Harvard

The rivalry between Harvard and Yale is one of the most famous and long-standing in the world. It all started back in 1875 with a football game, and to this day, the two schools face off each year in a highly anticipated football match, keeping the tradition alive.

The rivalry isn’t just limited to football; it spans academics, rowing, and even general school pride. However, the annual football game—known simply as “The Game”—is the biggest highlight. It usually takes place in November. It typically alternates between Yale and Harvard’s campuses.

The first Harvard-Yale football game in 1875 helped kickstart one of the longest and most celebrated rivalries in college sports. Over the years, “The Game” has become a major event that draws large crowds and plenty of media attention. Throughout the decades, the Harvard-Yale rivalry has produced iconic moments, from dramatic comebacks in “The Game” to elaborate student pranks. It’s a rivalry that’s more than 100 years old, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

13. Money and monkeys

The next on our list of fun facts about Yale involves experiments on monkeys. In 2005, a fascinating experiment at Yale explored the concept of money by teaching Capuchin monkeys to use currency. Led by Yale researchers, the study was designed to see if monkeys could understand the value of money and use it in decision-making, similar to how humans do. The results were both surprising and groundbreaking, to say the least.

Yale researchers, including economist Keith Chen and psychologist Laurie Santos, trained seven Capuchin monkeys to use silver tokens as a form of currency. The monkeys were taught that these tokens could be exchanged for food, such as grapes or apple slices, from a human vendor. Through repetition, the monkeys learned to associate the tokens with the ability to “buy” their preferred snacks.

This study had significant implications for understanding the evolution of economic behavior. It suggested that the basic concept of trade and value exchange might not be unique to humans and could be rooted deeper in our evolutionary history. The experiment also highlighted how flexible and adaptable primates are when faced with a new system, such as the introduction of money.

14. Clay Pipe Ceremony

One of Yale’s unique and time-honored graduation traditions is the Clay Pipe Ceremony, which has been around for over 140 years. This symbolic event occurs as part of Yale’s commencement festivities, and it serves as a ritual for closing the chapter on a graduate’s time at the university.

Upon graduating, each Yale student is given a small clay pipe along with a packet of tobacco. The tradition calls for students to light and smoke the pipe during the ceremony. Afterward, the students break the pipe, signifying the end of their undergraduate years and the completion of their time at Yale.

This act of crushing the pipe is meant to represent the closing of an era—the “legendary” four years spent at the university—and the start of a new chapter in life. Out of all the fun facts about Yale on this list, this might be the most sentimental.

15. The first a capella group on campus

Whiffenpoofs is Yale’s oldest and most famous a cappella group. This group was formed by a small group of students known as “gentleman songsters” who began meeting weekly at Mory’s, a well-known Yale club, to sing. The group adopted the name “Whiffenpoofs” and has since become a legendary part of Yale’s musical tradition.

The group is known for their famous song, “The Whiffenpoof Song,” which includes the lyrics “We are poor little lambs who have lost our way.” This song has been covered by artists like Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley, contributing to the Whiffenpoofs’ fame beyond Yale.

What Is So Unique About Yale?

Yale University stands out as one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Founded in 1701, it’s the third-oldest university in the U.S. and a member of the Ivy League. It has a very strict admission policy with a 4.6% acceptance rate, but Yale’s graduation rate is also high too at 96.4%.

A unique feature is its residential college system, which divides students into 14 smaller communities, each with its own dining hall, library, and traditions.

This was not included in our list of fun facts about Yale, but the university also offers a popular summer study abroad program called the Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad, where faculty lead courses on various subjects for Yale credit. You’re encouraged to explore opportunities for studying, researching, or working abroad.

Unlike some other top universities, Yale places a strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching. Every professor, including renowned experts like Nobel Prize winner Louise Glück, is required to teach at least one undergraduate class each year. With a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, and 71% of classes having fewer than 20 students, you’ll experience a more personalized learning environment.

Students have access to a wealth of research opportunities and work closely with faculty on groundbreaking projects. Yale’s global reach is strengthened through international programs and a focus on public service. Its stunning Gothic and Georgian architecture completes the collegiate atmosphere.

Yale’s blend of academic excellence, strong traditions, and global influence makes it one of the most distinguished universities in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Yale’s graduation rate?

The Yale graduation rate is quite high, with over 96% of students typically completing their degree programs within four years.

2. How old is Yale University?

Yale University was founded in 1701. The university is over 320 years old.

3. What is Yale most popular for?

Yale University is best known for its academic excellence, influential alumni, and colorful history. It’s especially recognized for its top law, political science, drama, and humanities programs. Over the years, Yale has produced political leaders, including five U.S. Presidents, and made significant contributions to the arts and sciences.

4. What is the most popular sport at Yale?

Football is the most popular sport at Yale, largely because of its long-standing rivalry with Harvard, highlighted by the annual matchup known as “The Game.” This historic event draws huge attention from students, alumni, and fans. That makes it one of the year’s biggest sporting events. While Yale also has strong rowing, soccer, and hockey teams, football remains the heart of Yale’s sports culture thanks to its rich history and tradition.

Takeaways

Yale University is considered to be the oldest higher education institution in the United States and also a member of the elite Ivy League. The university has had its fair share of milestones and controversies. Because of these, Yale has built hundred-year old traditions that are still practiced and celebrated up to this day.

• The Beinecke Library is one of the largest buildings in the world dedicated entirely to rare books and manuscripts.
• Yale and the CIA have an unwritten and unofficial partnership throughout the years. Yale has produced graduates that went on to work with and for the CIA. This includes President George H.W. Bush, William Bundy, and James Jesus Angleton.
• The Vanderbilts built a suite in one of Yale’s residential halls. The VC-22 is a suite exclusive for members of the Vanderbilts.
• Gaining admission at Yale is a feat. As prestigious as it is, the admissions process is also intensive and takes a lot of work. If you want to improve your chances of admissions, consider reaching out to a college admissions consultant to help you with your college applications.