Arrival

Buses from JFK to New Haven 

Shuttle buses will bring students to Yale from JFK on arrival day only. Arrival day is the first day of orientation, usually a Wednesday. The orientation dates are in your acceptance letter and the shuttle details are also explained on the Arrival Information Form, on which you will enter your travel details.Typically, the first shuttle will leave from JFK at 1PM (13:00), and the second shuttle will leave from JFK at approximately 5PM (17:00). Please plan to arrive at least two hours before either shuttle leaves so that you will have enough time to get through customs, collect your baggage, and find the designated meeting location. If you miss the last shuttle, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation to Yale. The drive from JFK to New Haven is around 2 hours.

Y-VISP students must attend the full Y-VISP orientation, which includes arriving on the arrival day. If you plan to buy roundtrip tickets, note that all students must move out by noon the day after the last day of final exams. See the Yale Calendar with Pertinent Deadlines.

Students who don't arrive at JFK, plan to arrive an earlier day, or who arrive after the second shuttle departs will need to arrange their own lodgining and transportation to Yale. Students who arrive in the U.S. before the program begins are welcome to come back to JFK to take one of the shuttles to Yale. We’ll collect your travel plans and can give advice on arrangements if you are not taking one of our shuttles. 

We recommend Go Airport Shuttle as a good source of transportation from either JFK or Newark airports to and from Yale.

Housing

Students will be greeted upon the bus' arrival and will be helped with moving in on arrival day. Students should note that they should be prepared to carry their suitcases up multiple flights of stairs as not all housing has elevators.

Room Assignment

Y-VISP students are typically assigned to live in one of Yale's residential colleges, and always affiliaton with one of these colleges. The Y-VISP Program Manager will be in touch with the students prior to arrival with housing assignments. Please keep in mind that in the U.S., it is very common to live with a roommate. There is an extremely limited quantity of singles. The only way to ensure that you will receive a single room is to register your physical or mental health needs with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and be granted a single room as an accommodation. Not all students who ask for a single will receive one. 

Room Furnishings

The University provides each student with a desk, a chair, a bureau, and a bed (extra-long, 80 inches by 36 inches). The beds have mattresses, and students will be provided with linens (listed below).

Linens

Yale will provide Y‐VISP participants living in program-provided housing with linens, including:

fitted sheets
flat sheets
pillow case
pillow
comforter
blanket
bath towel
wash cloths

Students will have the opportunity to shop for additional supplies and materials during orientation.

Laundry

Students have access to on‐campus laundry facilities and can wash their own clothes. Most students wash their clothes in the laundry facilities located in their residential college. In some colleges, students WILL need a credit or debit card to use the laundry machines. The Associated Student Laundry Agency offers a wide array of services, for an additional fee.

Refrigerators

If not already in the room, students can rent refrigerators for a year at a low price through the Associated Student Refrigerator Agency.

Network Services

Television and streaming

Cable and streaming services are administered by the Information Technology Services (ITS) Network Services Department. You can see what services Yale students receive here. Help with computer related issues is available from Student Technology Collaborative, which operates a computer clinic in the bottom level of Bass Library. Data communications services are administered by the Student Technology Collaborative. Students should also carefully review Yale’s Information Technology Appropriate Use Policy.

Cell phones

Y‐VISP students may visit local cell phone retailers to purchase a cell phone and cell plan if they would like to have a U.S. phone number. If you have a phone which you can unlock prior to your arrival, we recommend that you take it with you. Students will be provided a phone card upon arrival. Please see the OISS webpage about cellphones.

Internet

Yale has free on-campus WiFi available to students. Each student is provided with secure network storage space. All students are required to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy.

Activating a NetID

The NetID is a unique identifier that will give the student access to Yale online resources and email. Before their arrival, students will receive an email with information about activating their NetID, choosing a password, and setting up security questions.

Buying Computer Hardware and Software

Accident coverage for protection against spilled liquids or dropped computers (check with manufacturer or vendor to see if warranty covers these contingencies)Students who wish to purchase new computers should consider the recommendations published by the Student Technology Collaborative (STC). The STC strongly recommends that students have the following accessories for their computer:

• Four‐year extended warranty for protection against computer hardware failure (bring warranty documentation)
• Laptop lock to secure computer to desk
• External hard drive for data backup

Computing Support

The Student Technology Collaborative offers technical support to students with personal computers. Each residential college has its own team of Student Techs (STs) whose job is to assist fellow students with technology issues. Students can also get walk‐in or phone assistance at the Technology Troubleshooting Office, located in Bass Library.

Computer Facilities

There are multiple computing facilities on campus, many of which offer specialized hardware and software. Each residential college has a library with a computer cluster. The major facilities are staffed by STs, who can answer questions and help with problems.

Information Sess​ions

Student Techs will be able to help Y‐VISP students configure computers for Yale’s network, answer general questions, and provide troubleshooting. The student should plan to attend one of the “Computing@Yale” information sessions, which give a brief orientation to Yale computing resources. For more information, please contact the Y-VISP Peer Liaisons.

Post Office Boxes and the Student Package Center

In order to receive mail on campus, all students are required by postal regulations to have a post office box (P.O. box). You can open a P.O. box online (type 06510 under Reserve a New P.O. Box and select Yale Post Office at 206 Elm St.).

During the academic year, packages are delivered to the Barnes & Noble Student Package Center at 77 Broadway. Students receive an e-mail to alert them when a package arrives. Letters cannot be received at the Student Package Center. CIPE likewise cannot receive letters for you. You must open a P.O. box to receive letters.

Personal Property Insurance

The University urges all students to obtain personal property insurance to protect against loss of or damage to their belongings. As the Undergraduate Regulations stipulate, Yale assumes no legal responsibility for the safety of personal property on its premises or within its buildings.