<ol>
<li>Why did you choose Hotchkiss?</li>
<li>What grade are you in?</li>
<li>What do you like most about Hotchkiss?</li>
<li>What is your biggest surprise after going to Hotchkiss?</li>
<li>What is your biggest disappointment after going to Hotchkiss?</li>
<li>What clubs/ECs are you in?</li>
<li>What are the academic tracks available regular, accelerated, honors?</li>
<li>What are the teachers like? inspiring? accessible?</li>
<li>If you are not from NE, what do you think of the weather?</li>
<li>How are the students? friendly, cliquey? privileged?</li>
<li>How much homework do you have each night?</li>
<li>What courses do you take as a freshman?</li>
<li>How are the dorms? food?</li>
<li>What do you do on weekends? </li>
</ol>
<p>will try to answer a few questions but it is spring break right now! will focus on some of the differences from other schools you might be contemplating, but first must have a blanket statement that Hotchkiss is great. </p>
<p>The size of the school makes so much possible – everyone knows everyone quickly, even teachers you don’t have and kids from other grades/dorms. </p>
<p>On the dorms, some are better than others but most preps have a single. that is a good thing as you can still develop/have friends but have your own space. </p>
<p>Food is awesome. There is enough variety and the dining room is very collegial. You can also order in food from nearby towns if you want. Dorm feeds are great too.</p>
<p>I came from a rigorous private school so I’m used to the homework level but it is a big step up for some. I have a few free periods most days so can usually get some of my work done then too. The teachers are great. They are accessible and really care, and want to be there and help you every step. </p>
<p>Re classes, there are accelerated and honors tracks for math and language for preps. Kids take all levels of science and history too, depending on their background and interest. There are numerous AP offerings too. Check the course guide and you can see the wide variety of offerings in every subject. You are placed (like every other bs) according to placement tests but also based on your transcript/grades/books from previous classes. Everyone gets placed pretty much where they belong and the school works with you on that.</p>
<p>Things I like the most: my friends, the sports, the teachers and the Harkness method, the breakfasts, sleeping late on Sundays, the radio station, the variety of ECs, the exchange programs and Round Square (we just had a group from south africa and they will be sorely missed), the independence, my own room, the Mac you get so everyone has one, advisory, hanging out on the weekends, the dances, the dorm feeds, main building and the student center (less walking around campus as everything is right there) and of course the MAC athletic facilities, the delayed start to classes this year so we could all sleep 30 more minutes, the dress code, and much more…</p>
<p>Things I don’t like as much: the snow (it just got old after awhile), grading system is pretty hard (lots of kids had a rude awakening as they are all used to As), missing my friends and family at home, lights out, losing to Taft in my sport of choice, not having as much time as I thought I would to do more, doing laundry, and probably more…</p>