<p>azpandaman:</p>
<p>Please don’t give up on Choate because you feel their focus is math/sciences. Although the school is very strong in those areas, the Paul Mellon Arts Center and the arts/humanities programs at Choate are phenomenal (check the list of famous arts grads). It’s ironic that our son was looking for the strongest math/science program and had Choate toward the lower end of his list because he initially thought it was more of an arts school based on the rep of the PMAC. With more research and talking to the rep at the Ten Schools event here (west coast also) last year, he learned that Choate was actually his best fit for math and science. All I’m saying is don’t give up, especially if Choate was initially your first choice. 
Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>If you really think Choate would not be a good fit but are focused on arts, I’d highly recommend looking closely at NMH which is high on your list. We really liked their emphasis on “education for the head, heart, and hand” and their block schedule. The Rhodes Arts Center is very impressive and, of all our dealings with the different schools during the application process, NMH did the best job of getting to know our son. In the end, it was a tough decsion even though the cultures and approaches at NMH and Choate are very different. But, as you are finding out, you can start out thinking one school is your best fit/top choice and end up with quite a different view after getting to know a school better. I would just encourage you to do your research thoroughly (visit as many campuses as you can; there is no substitute for onsite, first-hand experience, and talk to as many students as you can).</p>
<p>ChoatieMom, thank you very much for your advice! I guess that I didn’t do very much research, and didn’t have a very outstanding interview, that I thought Choate wasn’t my place to be. I will definitely do more research and will reconsider. You said your son is a Freshman now? Maybe I’ll see him next year (Will be applying for 4th form).</p>