<p>Hey guys! As some of you may remember, I was an applicant last year and applied to Choate, Hotchkiss, and Andover. I'm now a new freshman at Choate Rosemary Hall. Along with theatergeek1 (also a 2011-12 applicant/ my new neighbor/ my new bestfriend/ my new bb) we'll be taking questions about both the application process and Choate specifically. These few weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break have been insane, so we'll try to get back to y'all ASAP!</p>
<p>Hi guys!
As aubreygal said her and I are super close and we’ve decided to start up a new thread on any Q&A’s you have about Choate and the application process. We can tell you all about academics, arts, and athletics as well as the social scene here. </p>
<p>Ask away!</p>
<p>This is great! Choate is one school that has risen close to the top, if not the top, of DD’s list of six schools after visiting all of them. We were impressed by how people, inside and outside admission office, were nice and friendly to applicants and parents, by the state-of-the-art facilities (especially art, music and theatre facilities for DD) and by the campus of mostly small but closely located buildings. </p>
<p>Somewhere on CC, I read a post by someone who revisited Choate and other schools after admission, insinuating that Choate people were all too happy to be real and might have drunken kool-aid. We didn’t have sustained interactions with any students or teachers, so I wasn’t qualified to say anything there. I’m not sure if I could get much objective response from you guys, but if you’re willing, could you try defend your school?</p>
<p>I am also interested in hearing more about the scene at Choate. Similarly, Choate has risen from a somewhat unknown to the top of my DS’s list. He crossed a lot of schools off his list after visiting, but Choate was one of the warmest and friendliest receptions we have received. My DS is shy on a first read, but the AO, tour guide, and coaches did a tremendous job of really taking the time to get to know him. I am concerned at such a competetive school, what the student body is like. My son is a great student, but pretty laid back. He is a still a bit of an innocent and has a sweet gentle nature, despite being a fierce athlete. Wondering about ‘fit’ seems like putting the cart before the horse- firstly I am wondering about him even being accepted and if sports are enough of a ‘hook’- but still can’t help but wonder about ‘fit’ - and if our first impressions were accurate.</p>
<p>For me, Choate has sunken to the bottom of the list. I really don’t actually understand why, but it has. I’m also considering not applying at all, though I’ve sent in the transcripts and recs (not the app fees though) already.
I’m going to read this thread and try to get it back at the top of my list. 
I really don’t understand why it simply isn’t APPEALING for me. I simply can’t get myself interested, though i think i’ve read quite enough about it. Maybe it’s because it’s getting really difficult to do an off-campus admissions interview. :(</p>
<p>Hi everyone, I am applying to Choate and I am curious of my chances to get in as a day student. I’m currently in 8th grade, have all honor classes and straight A’s, play piano, study Mandarin Chinese as a second language outside of school, and I’m also on a recreational swim team. I will be entering Choate in 9th grade if I get accepted into the school.</p>
<p>Hey everyone, I’m a returning junior here at Choate</p>
<p>SharingGift-
We are real haha. At most boarding schools, you’ll find the student body to be more accepting and friendly. The reason why boarding school is so different from day schools and public schools is because of the exposure students get to different cultures. As cheesy as it sounds, you learn to accept other people. It’s very normal to smile and say hello to people as you pass them on the path walking from class to class.</p>
<p>gypsyrose-
Although being a spectacular athlete is awesome, it’s essential for your son to show his well roundedness to the AO. Almost every applicant has a hook, but not every applicant is a tri-varsity athlete, plays the violin, and has a keen interest in microbiology. These types of students are the kids that stand out the most. That said, showing that you’re well rounded, in my opinion, is the best way to go about applying to schools.
The student body here is really friendly and social. As a tour guide, I often get the question, “Is Choate is cut-throat community?” The answer is absolutely not. I personally was very competitive before coming to Choate, but I realized that collaborating is much more efficient to learning. </p>
<p>sallyfour-
I’m sad to hear that Choate is at the bottom! It’s unfortunate that you won’t have a chance to tour campus before the application is due. My recommendation is to apply and revisit in the spring if you are accepted. When I was applying to schools I looked at Taft’s website and was very interested, but my tour changed my opinion. Don’t cross a school off you list until you’ve been able to see what it’s like in person.</p>
<p>chemistry919-
Your extracurriculars sound fantastic, but that is not all that Choate is looking for in an applicant. You have to show a compatible personality with the student body. The majority of kids who apply are in all honors, have straight A’s, and participate in multiple extracurricular activities, but not all of them are accepted. It’s hard to say, really.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you all!</p>