Hotchkiss vs. Choate

I am trying to make an impossible decision between Hotchkiss and Choate. I am an incoming 9th grader from a public school. I would board at Hotchkiss, while a day at Choate. Any opinions, advice, or comparisons are much appreciated. I have already scheduled re-visits for both; however, as my name suggests, I will most likely still be torn.

Both are great options, you really can’t go wrong. Choate seems to have a larger day student population. Do you have a preference for day or boarding ?

That is part of the problem, my pro and con lists for boarding v. day are equal.

I personally would prefer the boarding experience especially at a school like hotchkiss (80%) over being a commuter at Choate. As a day student, both you and your parents have to make a serious time commitment for rides. As a boarder, you have a structured and settled setting to focus on your studies. While the tour guides may say otherwise, from various friends experiences, they find that they miss much of the on campus culture that happens after they leave as a commuter. Boarding > Day

Like @sgopal2 said, in terms of the schools, you really can’t go wrong. I personally am biased towards Hotchkiss (20’) but you will receive a stellar education at either. After attending revisit days, you will get a better idea for which campus you feel more comfortable at. The towns of Wallingford and Lakeville are very different as you probably have already noticed. Go with your gut. DM if you have any further questions. Also, don’t split hairs trying to compare relative rigor or reputation as they are both first tier schools that offer endless opportunity.

We have the same issue except DD will board at either. Mom thought Hotchkiss was best choice and DD thought Choate would be best. Doing revisits for both and middlesex. Hope a decision becomes clear soon.

@LaxPrep is onto somethin’. Boarding schools are for boarders. Can day students have a fine, fine experience? Sure. But boarding schools are for boarders. Day students are an afterthought. For the most part. Stipulate to everyone who was personally fulfilled by being a day student in ways which would not have been possible being away from home. Good for them. That’s also the reason some genius went and invented day schools, where everyone is a day student.

Given the choice, boarding is better. Unless you hate the school where you’d board and are in love with the other one. Take the reeeeee-visits seriously and see how that plays out. Hotchkiss and Choate are a coupla pretty good schools, so either way you should be golden.

Since you live close enough to Choate to be a day student, you must be fairly familiar with sunny Wallingford, CT. If you haven’t spent much time in the world’s greatest metropolis, Lakeville, CT, maybe the prospect of spending 4 years in the center of the civilized world might be a real determining factor either way. Hotchkiss has a golf course. Two (2) ice-hockey rinks. Sick pool. No crew team. Choate has less than two ice-hockey rinks and more than zero ice-hockey rinks. Zero golf courses. A pool. A crew team, but no boathouse in town anymore–no lake in town anymore either, I guess–so you have to go to Guilford, CT to row. If you want to row, and why wouldn’t you?

If after everything, you can’t decide, and assuming money is not a factor at all: coin flip.

Let me throw in another option: why not board at Choate? Would that change things for you? Even if you live within driving distance, sometimes the schools may offer you a boarding spot (if one opens up). I know of a couple of kids at my son’s BS where this happened (day > boarder).

I didn’t realize that Choate’s crew team had to make such a commute to practice, I personally plan on doing crew, do you think that this will be a large burden? Is the team good?

If you are going to spend the money and go to a world class BS then board. I much prefer Hotchkiss…More diverse types of students.

Board. It is an amazing experience. (but I don’t think you can go wrong with either.) Good luck!

@Imyhyder Not all schools are on lakes or rivers, so commuting to the boathouse is common. If your college or boarding school has its boathouse on campus and you are a crew-type person, consider that a nice bonus.

20-25 minute commute to boat house for Choate. Great crew team. Hotchkiss is very nice, but in the middle of nowhere. Choate has amazing academics, and lots of school spirit. Tough choice. Also, you can be a day student at Choate for a few years and request for a change as an upperclassman. Both are good schools. Good luck.

So if you are boarding at either, is there a clear Better school between the 2 or what are the pros and Von’s of each? What distinguishes the two?

I am attending revisits days but realizing you can only glean so much from a revisit and given that my contact with both schools has been limited to the admissions process, I would be interested to hear opinions about each of the schools cultures from individuals with actual experience.

Revisits are done. I always felt lucky to have the opportunity to attend either one of these schools, but after revisiting I know that I am very lucky. I will complete the pros and cons list and then sleep on it. I am certainly feeling like smaller may be better for me, which is pushing me toward Hotchkiss. I know Choate better, but I walked out of Hotchkiss feeling like it “fit” me better. Not sure if my parents agree.

Go to Choate. Hotchkiss needs new leadership.

How so? @Hkiss4liberals

Lots of turnover at the top, not just the Headmaster. Everyone suffers when this turnover exists - school seems to be in an institutional identity crisis. Lots of political correctness, almost to the point where it overshadows everything else. A serious focus on what made Hotchkiss great is in order.

Hotchkiss has the benefit of two leaders right now. The new head is already spending several days on campus.

During the revisit both the interim and new headmasters spoke. I felt confident that they are engaging in a meaningful, thoughtful and deliberate handoff. I was intrigued by the new headmaster’s recent experience and anticipate that his experience could create unique and exciting opportunities for Hotchkiss and its students. Not sure how I would have missed it, but I certainly didn’t feel any more political correctness at Hotchkiss v. its peers. They all seem equally obsessed with making sure they are letting everyone know that being inclusive and diverse (as it is defined at any given moment) is paramount to each of them and constantly being reassessed and reaffirmed. Seven days and still torn. Ultimately, I think this will come down to a question of “fit”. I wish it could be more objective but no matter how many times we do the math, they come up the same. Two very different cultures that are both offering a fantastic education.