What are the most highly-respected residential colleges?

I've been looking into the whole residential college thing, they seem like a really interesting way to experience college. I was wondering, which residential colleges are the most respected or well-regarded?

When we talk about residential colleges, I assume you are referring to the colleges within a larger university that offer a focused living and learning experience. Here are a few worth considering:

1. Yale University: Yale is split into 14 residential colleges where students live, dine, and pursue their academic interests together. Known for their vibrant community and engaging faculty, each of Yale's colleges provide a unique experience, often with their own traditions.

2. Harvard University: The house system, as they call it, includes 12 undergraduate residential houses. Each house accommodates 350-500 students along with faculty and graduate students who serve as tutors and House Masters.

3. Rice University: Rice has 11 residential colleges that serve as the focal point of the undergraduate life. They host various events, often have their own mottos and mascots, and encourage students to participate in intramural sports and other activities.

4. Princeton University: With six residential colleges, Princeton combines living and learning initiatives which provide a smaller community experience. As part of this, Princeton encourages close interaction between students and faculty.

Remember that these are large, highly selective institutions. They offer the opportunity to be part of a tight-knit community within a larger research university, but admission will be competitive. Be sure to thoroughly research each school to understand their specific residential colleges, as they all offer a unique experience which fosters academic and personal growth in their own unique way.