Yale College students, who are undergraduates, are accommodated in a special way. Before freshman year, all incoming undergraduates are assigned to a residential college by lots. Students remain affiliated with their residential college throughout their college life.

The residential colleges allow students to experience the cohesiveness and intimacy of a small school while still enjoying the cultural and scholarly resources of a large university. Each college has a Dean, a Master, affiliated faculty, and resident Fellows. Each college also features distinctive architecture, secluded courtyards, common rooms, meeting rooms, classrooms, and a dining hall; in addition, some have chapels, libraries, squash courts, pool tables, cafes，or darkrooms. Each college at Yale offers its own seminars, social events, and Master's Teas, most of which are open to students from other residential colleges.

Berkeley College, named in honor of the Reverend George Berkeley (1685-1753). He was an early benefactor of Yale. The crest of the Berkley family is a Coat of Arms,) comprising "gules，a chevron, and ten crosses, party silver".

Branford College, named for Branford, Connecticut, where Yale was briefly located. The Coat of Arms of Branford College features ten books to represent the ten ministers who pooled their books and resources to found the Collegiate School. In addition, three elm leaves are symbolic of the permanent establishment of Yale in New Haven since New Haven is referred to as "The Elm City".