<p>Hi! I've narrowed it down to these two choices, and I have roughly 5 hours to decide....
I was expecting Hotchkiss to be super snobby. To me, it didn't feel too stuck up. People were friendly, the classes were interesting, and almost all the kids talked in their classes. I have two cousins who go there.
My best childhood friend will be going to Groton 8th Grade next year, and another girl from my class will be going into the 9th grade. (That's where I'll be going too.) The classes weren't as engaging. Only 2 or 3 kids spoke in each class. And my shadow told me **<strong><em>iness goes on there, and there are certain people who think they rule the grade etc
But I know that all schools have that. The reason I'm still thinking about Groton is because my gut is pulling me there. I love their old traditions, and I think once I was actually a Grotonian I'd feel very comfortable. On revisit day, I didn't feel as comfortable at Groton.
I'm so conflicted! Help?
(I want a school with the least *</em></strong>*y-drama. Does either one of these schools clearly have more?)</p>
<p>If you thought Hotchkiss seemed a more friendly and engaging environment in which to learn, go there. It seems as though you’re leaning towards it anyway, but are still clinging to your original favorite, Groton. Go to the place where you felt you fit in – you’ll be there for the next four years of your life, so you might as well be happy. If it is a really hard choice for you, make a list of the things Hotchkiss has and the things Groton offers, and then look at the list and decide which school holds the things you must have in a school. Sometimes it’s easier to decide when the facts are on paper.</p>
<p>First, both are great schools. There are a few differences I’ve noticed, so I’ll share them in case they help. We attended the Hotchkiss revisit and although my D decided not to attend, I came away very favorably impressed on several key points. I’m also quite familiar with Groton and in many ways I think the culture will be similar. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Hotchkiss is a bit larger with a smaller % of day students so you’ll have more potential boarders to be friends with. In a smaller community if you don’t get along with the right people you’re stuck. </p></li>
<li><p>Hotchkiss has a more international feel. The current head has advanced the school’s curriculum to prepare students well for a world shaped by globalization. </p></li>
<li><p>Both schools are well resourced, although Hotchkiss has an edge overall in facilities. I was also particularly impressed by the new Dean of Faculty who just joined this year from Yale where he was head of Berkeley College. </p></li>
<li><p>If you have an interest in music, theater or the arts; Hotchkiss is stronger and has tremendous resources in these areas. It wasn’t an interest for my child, but I was very impressed.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You can’t make a bad choice between these two schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>SanFran-a few take home points FWIW
There is *****yness everywhere but I think Groton works sincerely to create a cohesive student body.
Don’t judge your entire school experience on a few classes alone- bear in mind- it is hardly representative. After all it was reviz day- things were different- and you only sat in on 2-3 clasees. So, that should NOT be your deciding factor.
You need to go with where you feel you should be!!!.
My D will be there in II form and she is a very cool kid { ;o) }
There are NOT a large number of day students at Groton - and the ones that are there stay on campus untio very late, so they hardly seem like day kids- so don’t let THAT deter you.
Finally- there is a lot to be said for starting school with “instafriends”- ie kids you already know- people you can fly to and from school with and familar faces to make it seem like home the first day
Happy deciding!!!</p>
<p>I think it’s better to go to a school where you don’t know anyone or no one knows you (at first). That way you won’t be worried about how you’re supposed to be, you can let go of the past and become an all new person! And you’ll make many new close friends anyways.</p>
<p>I myself am going to Groton III form next year. The revisit day seemed very warm for me. I was assigned one guide, but a few of her friends joined and I kind of mixed and matched on their classes. They seemed really close and were all very friendly and welcoming towards me. I actually really liked the classes, especially Latin with Dr. Reyes.</p>
<p>However, I can’t really judge, since I didn’t apply to Hotchkiss. This was just my Groton experience. Just imagine yourself being in the two schools and see where you see yourself being happier.</p>
<p>Although the five hours are up, so I guess you probably already made a choice. C: There is no right choice at this moment, I think. You’ll have to make it the right choice later on.</p>