Decisions, Decisions!

<p>All right, I'm new here and I already need some help! I've been accepted to Concord Academy and Choate with pretty much the same amount of financial aid. I'm torn because each school has their benefits. I see a lot on here about Choate, but unfortunately not so much about CA.</p>

<p>In case any stats are needed, I take accelerated honors courses and make As and Bs, plus I got a 2157 on the SSAT (can't remember my percentile). I'm stronger in the Humanities than mathematics or sciences, but not very artsy at all. I'm taking Algebra I (which I struggle in sometimes), Physics (can be a nightmare, but heaven when it gets to be understandable), English I, and US History I. </p>

<p>I know Choate is, without a doubt, at a higher tier than CA, but I don't feel that makes it a better school to attend. But maybe it is, at least when compared to Concord, particularly considering I can't find many reviews on it. I don't want to go to one of the schools finding that I made the wrong choice :/</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

<p>whosthatgirl, since you ask, I would say either school is fine.
If you still have to ask, I would have to say Choate.</p>

<p>btw, congratulations!</p>

<p>dont know much about concord but i know choate is excellent. i would pick choate in a second. i toured there and it was fantastic state of the art stuff. loved it</p>

<p>Can you go to the revisit days at both of them? That would probably help you a lot with your decision making.</p>

<p>@hootoo - Thanks!
@buddy797 - Yeah, you’re right, everything was really state of the art, but I’m a little concerned about such a large, competitive atmosphere. Especially in Junior/Senior year when college comes into the picture
@Linda S - I think I will be attending both revisit days, but I’d like to have some sort of opinion sculpted since the deadline for the contracts isn’t too far away.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone! More opinions would be appreciated lots. :)</p>

<p>Do you participate in any sports?</p>

<p>@neatoburrito - Currently no, but I’ve participated in a few award-winning academic-oriented activities in my school. I plan to pick up swimming again (I used to be a strong swimmer but then I discontinued it for some reason) in secondary school, though, and sadly Concord does not have a swim team. Or strong athletics as a whole, really. Picking up a different sport is barely an option for me since I am terrible on my feet.</p>

<p>Which academic-oriented activities?</p>

<p>@swampedwithwork -I’d rather not be too specific, but they’re related to science and community service. I see you’re from Choate, think you could answer a couple of questions? Is it particularly preppy or clique-y there? Hard to adjust? Extremely competitive?</p>

<p>Thanks. :)</p>

<p>So you are a swimmer also? How nice! Please shout out loud for hootoo if you have a meet against Exeter or Milton, as I will be right there.</p>

<p>Ah, I thought you were referring to MUN, debate, or something similar.</p>

<p>Choate is quite preppy, especially with the dress code it’s quite hard not to dress like a prep. I don’t feel like it’s that cliquey, because everyone is open and warm regardless of who your friends are. I think it’s needless to say, however, that you will develop a close group of friends in your freshman year who will most likely be with you your entire Choate career. </p>

<p>Coming as a freshman, I don’t think it would be too hard to adjust. The pace of freshman year is a bit more relaxed and the entire year is really dedicated towards allowing students to acclimate to their environment and the academic rigor of the school. I came as a sophomore, but now I do wish I could have come as a freshman.</p>

<p>It is a very competitive environment, but it’s positive competition. I feel much more motivated to succeed here than I did at my old school for sure.</p>

<p>Whosthatgirl, Concord Academy is a distinctly different school. It isn’t mentioned as frequently as other schools on this forum, probably because it is about half boarding and half day. </p>

<p>If you want to learn more about Concord Academy, check out its student publications: [Concord</a> Academy: About CA Publications Publications](<a href=“http://www.concordacademy.org/about_concord_academy/publications.aspx]Concord”>http://www.concordacademy.org/about_concord_academy/publications.aspx). The student writing in these publications is first rate. The satirical paper is funny. The literary magazine showcases impressive student writing, artwork, and photography. The school newspaper is disarmingly frank about the climate at CA, and the students’ opinions about any changes.</p>

<p>You could also look at the recent homepage news postings to get a feel for the school’s activities and priorities: [Concord</a> Academy: Recent News Recent Homepage News](<a href=“http://www.concordacademy.org/news/index.aspx?pageaction=ViewPublic&Referer=/home/index.aspx&DirAlt=Home&ignore=?pageaction=ViewPublic&ModuleID=192]Concord”>http://www.concordacademy.org/news/index.aspx?pageaction=ViewPublic&Referer=/home/index.aspx&DirAlt=Home&ignore=?pageaction=ViewPublic&ModuleID=192).</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.concordacademy.org/data/files/Gallery/SchoolPublications/Centipede_December_2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.concordacademy.org/data/files/Gallery/SchoolPublications/Centipede_December_2010.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
Please take a look at it. The students do write so well, especially on Page 5. :D</p>

<p>Would choose Choate “hands down”. My own Child has Choate on her re-visit list, and while I am sworn to silence during her decision making process, I can vent here. I just loved the school all around. Impressive course offerings, fanastic campus and loved that the town of Wallingford was within walking distance. Our tour guide was the most impressive student that we encountered out of visits to 6 schools. Knowledgeable about the curriuclum, articulate and VERY comfortable conversing with adults. I remember thinking if my child leaves Choate with half of this young man’s self-confidence, I would be thrilled. I think it would be a fantastic place to spend 4 years for a bright and motivated student.</p>

<p>Don’t know Concord enough to help you make a decision, but you have one more vote for Choate. It’s a great school!</p>

<p>If you’re interested in writing, you can always check out our school newspaper:</p>

<p><a href=“http://thenews.choate.edu/[/url]”>http://thenews.choate.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks you guys! Judging from the school’s newspapers, both schools seem to be equally well-spoken and articulate, but Concord perhaps a little more lighthearted. And a little part of me would rather go to high school, not a mini-college as Choate seems to be. It’s just a littleee bit scary.</p>

<p>Decision,decision, has anyone started the countdown towards A10?</p>

<p>17 days. D:</p>

<p>@whosthatgirl- your also right, it is pretty big and competitive. a little preppy. just find what your looking for in both schools and compare which school has the better stuff. thats what i did.</p>