<p>What are the best and worst things about these schools? Reputations? Strongest program? Dorms and facilities? Food? Teachers? Just post anything you know about it. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>All I know about is Choate, from reading and from personal experience and from students I've talked to, so here:</p>
<p>Teachers - great. Some who have been here for over half a century and are basically legends at the school. Some classes you don't know what you'll get, but most are great. Willing to help you out and connect on a personal level as well.</p>
<p>Food - just like BS food, with loads of options however. There's always pizza usually, a salad bar, soup (like clam chowder), coffee, tea, your normal dishes, etc. You can see the menu every day on the Choate Daily Notice, which you can access on choate.edu</p>
<p>Dorms and facilities - they just installed a new indoor track if you're interested in that... I think it's called the Gelb Indoor Track or something. They have a swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts, rock climbing facilities for the winter, a greeeat theater, etc. I'd say it's the best BS known for the arts, so if you're interested in that, check it out!</p>
<p>The dorms are neat. The rooms are on the small to medium side, but unlike schools like SGS and Deerfield, the first year you get a roommate unless you don't want one, and I've always thought that's an integral part of the BS experience, so I loved that. Freshmen girls and boys are one dorm away and girls are hosted in Nichols, boys in Mem (Memorial). Some girls will go into Squire this year I believe and last year they also spilled over to Pittman. But, with the influx of 15 more freshman boys than girls, the 50-50 boy/girl ratio is expected to even out this year.</p>
<p>Strongest program -- arts, by far. I belive, though all the other ones are strong. Acting...theater...singing...drawing...etc.</p>
<p>Go to <a href="http://www.boardingschoolreview.com%5B/url%5D">www.boardingschoolreview.com</a>, find Choate by clicking on Boarding School Directory on the right side, and then read student reviews. They'll tell you more.</p>
<p>Just to reiterate, I haven't started at Choate yet but I'm going there Wednesday! And this is information I've heard from about 15 students who go there and whom I've talked to, as well as what I've read from the website.</p>
<p>I only know one thing about Choate, and that is that their JV vball team is amazing. Exeter's JV team beat them though last season, breaking their 3-year winning streak. :P</p>
<p>edit: i just saw the other thread about identifying who you are-- i'm a student at Exeter.</p>
<p>Yeah, their swimming team is great (so I've heard; one of their best swimmers is Caroline Wilson, who was my mom's tour guide) and their ice hockey team won the New England Chamionships last year, which was discussed in another thread.</p>
<p>I've heard that Hotchkiss has only one building for classes, and Choate has the Paul Mellon Humanities Center, the PMAC (arts center), St. John Hall (math), Carl Icahn Center for Science, and the HPRSS building (History, Philosophy, Religion, Social Sciences). Some of this info might be wrong, but I think it's correct.</p>
<p>I agree with Olivia that Choate is a great school and certainly has great facilities. Please don't misunderstand that because Hotchkiss has "one" building for classes it is somehow inferior. The school has a separate science building but has decided that a single academic building brings the students together and creates a greater sense of community than spacing classroom buildings apart. The music facility is incredible and only a few years old as well as being attached to the main building. The school has a tremendous student body in terms of academics/athletics/arts. As far as disclosure, I am a bs alum and have taught in several. Take a look at both schools, they each have great teachers etc. but slightly different atmospheres.</p>
<p>Oh, no, I'm not saying it's a bad thing! It's not like a pro and con list. I was just writing what I KNOW about the schools. It's pretty cool actually. Unlike Choate, I guess it makes for less walking. :)</p>
<p>choate is somewhate artsy, hotchkiss is in the middle of nowhere. that's all i know.</p>
<p>Hmm...I think I'm going to drop one of these schools since I have too many reaches in my list. What do you mean about Hotchkiss being "conservative and traditional"? In what way/s?</p>
<p>In which post was that said, cate?</p>
<p>I agree with Blair, one of the reasons why I didn't like Hotchkiss (though it may be a pro for some people) was because it was too isolated, in the middle of nowhere. I really hope I can make Jv Vball this year...if even possible.</p>
<p>I can't remember in which post it was said. But this seems to be the general idea about Hotchkiss, based from what the people I asked told me.</p>
<p>hey i go to hotchkiss. i love it here. i've already made really good friends although i only been on campus for two days. feel free to ask me any questions.</p>
<p>Yeah, feel free to ask me questions as well. I'm at Choate now. :)</p>
<p>hopeful and olivia: I sent each of you a pm.</p>
<p>What is the general feel of these schools? What kind of student attends Choate/Hotchkiss?</p>
<p>another question: what are your general impressions about these schools now that you guys are in Hotchkiss/Choate now?</p>
<p>Oh, read my post on prettyckitty's board! I put some stuff there. Read my PM too and respond with email. ^^</p>