Less often, however, do they expect to be sitting next to the man who is choreographing Madonna's next world tour. Nor do they think they might discuss poetry with someone who recently surfaced from a 40-day submarine mission in the Arctic Ocean. Thanks to Yale's Special Student program, such encounters are possible, as the program allows people from all walks of life to come back to college after having pursued other avenues. Coming here is a new and challenging experience and helps me see a whole other facet of things.
People are here for many different reasons.
Kansas City native Paul Tancredi '97 started in the program last semester after spending six years in the U. S. Navy. But it just so worked out that I had the opportunity to come to Yale, and I ended up breaking that promise. In large part because they are older than the average Yale undergraduate, some special students said their experiences on campus are unique. Some of my TAs are my age, which is the perfect mentor relationship. Getting involved in student life and extracurricular activities is challenging for special students because Yale prohibits them from living on campus.