<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm in 9th grade and applied for a 10th grade position at Andover, Choate, and Taft. I got waitlisted at Andover, but was accepted to both Choate and Taft. Disregarding the fact that I got waitlisted at Andover, which school would you choose and why?</p>
<p>I love them both so much in different ways and I will obviously know more from the revisits. I just want some of your opinions on the matter. Are there any big issues about either school that I should know about? What are some of the stereo types that you know of? I would love to hear from current students too. </p>
<p>I really appreciate this. Thanks!</p>
<p>srry…just wanna bump this :)</p>
<p>Choate, because of the amazing performing arts department. That may not be a factor for you, but I’m just putting it out there.</p>
<p>I’m very impressed with Taft but the answer to your question depends on what you are looking for. You haven’t given us enough information to go on.</p>
<p>I’d choose Taft – always felt like the classic “caring” community vs. Choate with more sink or swim.</p>
<p>That’s like me with Choate v. Hotchkiss. I chose Choate because of the facilities, I can’t speak for Taft (which I’m sure is awesome!) but the campus and the buildings were beyond awesome. Since it is so close to Yale, you also have lots of representatives coming in to talk to you (about college admissions) and the town it’s located in seems very fun. I don’t think it has a sink or swim environment, just because I’ve heard that they have set times to meet with teachers and help is usually available. Best of luck choosing, I know it was tough for me! :D</p>
<p>I’m very interested in a variety of things. However, I’m well-rounded and there isn’t one specific thing that I’m basing my decision off of. I’m 99% sure I’m going to choose Choate but I just want some other opinions.
Some of my interests (in no particular order):
-Rowing (Taft coach really wants me and theyre growing their program significantly this year, but I think Choate has a solid program, right?)
-Tennis (May conflict with rowing so I’d choose to row)
-Performing Arts (i know choates better)
-Debate (heard choates better)
-Economics (heard choates better)
-Computer Scicence (Taft has a bad dept.)</p>
<p>Also, I want a good liberal arts education and to take interesting additional classes all around. And I want a more liberal environment as opposed to an uptight conservative one. And I felt that Taft seemed pretty conservative to me. Taft also seemed a little more sports-oriented and while I’m fairly athletic, I don’t want to be surrounded by jocks. I want more of an academic and possibly artsy environment. I feel like Choate fits all of what I want. I’d love for any of you to debate about this or tell me if Im wrong. Thanks!</p>
<p>Sounds like you answered your own question…go with Choate :)</p>
<p>@thatwakeboarder: Last spring, “Choate’s Boys First Boat won the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championships”. You can check the athletic departments/schedules/news on the Choate website for more information about crew and other sports you’re interested in.</p>
<p>DS joined crew this year as a novice 3rd former (freshman) and is just returning from pre-season training in Miami where they trained over spring break. He had a fabulous time and loves his new sport, but he really likes how he’s been treated by the coaches and team members. He came to Choate with no sports background at all and was concerned about that, but feels he’s found a home. You sound like you’re coming in as a competitive rower, so I’m sure you would be very welcome. If you have not talked to the crew coaches at Choate, you should reach out now or certainly on revisit day so you can compare the programs you’re looking at. Sorry, I don’t have any experience with Taft, so my opinions are one-sided.</p>
<p>My D is at Taft - she’s artsy. Amazing theater department, dance department (complete with artists in residence), master photographer, strong music program, state of the art digital media department. I can’t speak to the computer science department though. If you’re leaning towards Choate you should trust your instinct. But trust me, there is nothing conservative about Taft.</p>
<p>Both are amazing schools and you’ll do well at either one.</p>
<p>Thanks Exie and everyone else! I appreciate it and thats what i love about this forum. At this point, I’m pretty set on Choate but I know Taft is great too. Thanks again!</p>