<p>I'm a rising junior at Choate fresh out of sophomore year. New students, perspective students, or really anybody feel free to ask anything (about choate or prep school in general) :)</p>
<p>As I’m starting to shop for things I’ll need at Choate, I was wondering, what are some must-haves I should look into (clothes, school supplies, room things)? There’s so many things I probably need, I don’t know where to start! Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>How would you describe the environment at Choate? Coming at this from a parent’s perspective. Is it quite competitive between students or are they generally willing to lend a helping hand? How have you found the stress levels in terms of academic pressure to succeed, juggling various commitments?</p>
<p>If you could change one thing about Choate that would have made your experience even better what is that thing? If there is one thing about Choate that you may not have been able to experience at another BS what would that be?</p>
<p>weiqian:</p>
<p>Must Have Clothes:
Winter clothing (jackets, gloves, hates, etc.)
Rain jacket
Rain and snow boots
Shower flip flops</p>
<p>Must Have Room Things:
Towels
Bed sheets, pillows, blankets
Fan (it can get really hot)
shower caddy
printer (so you don’t have to use the library’s)
Umbrella
Bed risers
Pictures/posters to make you dorm not look like a jail cell</p>
<p>CanadaDad:
The environment at Choate is both competitive and relaxed. While students compete with each other for grades and leadership positions, everyone is really supportive of each other. Students stress as much as they want to. Those who manage their time well are definitely less stressed than others. Living with your friends is distracting and those who are able to stay focused are the ones who thrive.</p>
<p>If I could change one thing about Choate it would probably be some requirements that I have to take. There are definitely classes that I would like to take, but am unable to because of required classes that I have to take instead. </p>
<p>Choate has some signature programs that set it apart from other boarding school. The Kohler Environmental Center, the Science Research Program, and Arts Concentration program are just a few of our programs. If you have any questions about some of these feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Thanks GoldBlue!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1199321-my-thoughts-choate.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1199321-my-thoughts-choate.html</a></p>
<p>I saw this thread and, well, the comments are a bit unnerving… What do you think about the accusations? (And yes, I know, no school is perfect, nor would I expect one to be–I love what Choate has to offer!) Also, just curious, is Facebook still banned on campus?</p>
<p>The Facebook ban was for a short period in 2011 after the “muahaha” conversation was spread on Facebook. So, Facebook has been allowed since.</p>
<p>Looks like GoldBlue did a good job of answering you guys! I’ll provide a little more insight:</p>
<p>Weiqian:
Don’t worry about school supplies. Anything you could possibly need at Choate is available through the school store (Even breakfast :D). As for clothing, bring a variety of clothing because New England weather is notoriously inconsistent. It can go from a sunny, 75 degrees day to a 40 degrees overcast climate the very next day!! I’d also recommend to bring about 3-4 weeks worth of clothing so you don’t have to worry about doing laundry all the time (you’ll be extremely busy). Lastly, rooms are furnished with a dresser, bed, desk, chair and sometimes (if you’re lucky) you’ll get some extra drawers! Be sure to have things like pillows, blankets, and bed sheets, towels, etc. If you live closely do not bring them with you! It’s way more convenient to buy them at Walmart (5 minute drive from campus) so you don’t have to travel with all of that junk. Hope to have answered all your questions! PM me if you have more questions.</p>
<p>CanadaDad:
As GoldBlue mentioned, Choate fosters an incredibly supportive environment. However, it still carries the stereotypical elite prep school competitiveness. Personally, I think I speak for many when I say it’s friendly, motivating competition. I’ve never heard of anyone being outcasted for having low grades. It motivates me. Also as previously mentioned, Choate is as stressful as you make it. Commitments can and will be a handful most of the times but Choate makes sure to give you time to effectively get your work done. You have study hours and plenty of free blocks throughout the day to get ahead. </p>
<p>If I could change one thing about Choate, it would be the lights out policy. As a sophomore, I had to have my lights out by 11pm. Although many, including myself, disregard the policy when the workload is too much, I think extending it for underclass men is a better idea than forcing you to leave work uncompleted. That rule, however, is no longer in effect after sophomore year. Juniors and seniors have no lights out.</p>
<p>If I apply and get in, would I have to get financial aid before or after I made it in?</p>
<p>You apply for financial aid at the same time as you apply for admission. If you get in, you can generally assume you’ve got financial aid as well. If not, you’ll be notified.</p>
<p>When I checked my admission decision online and I found out I got in, the letter also told me the amount of financial aid I received. Hope I’ve helped!</p>
<p>Thank you! Haha I will be applying next year, what kinds of questions do they ask at the interview? Do you have any tips for the interview, what kinds of stuff look good on the applications? If you apply during 8th grade, do they even look at your records and stuff for 8th grade? How does that work? Haha I had a few questions:)</p>
<p>How much time do select music ensembles take up (hours)?</p>
<p>I second GoldenRatio’s question! Also, how is archery and tennis?</p>
<p>Hi I’m a band nerd lol can you be in a band ensemble, an art course, AND a choir? And I might want to try ballet:/ is ballet counted as a sport? Can I be in those first three things? Or would I have to choose two of those?</p>
<p>I was just approved by the head of languages to take two languages as a new sophomore, but it seems really difficult in terms of being able to fulfill my graduation requirements, do you guys know anything about how taking two languages works?</p>
<p>@maracas: You would be better off asking the head of languages who just approved your taking two of them. If you have concerns, you should have had that discussed already before applying to take two. I find it surprising that you could get this far without knowing “how it works”. If you don’t know, you may be in for a bit of a rough ride. I suggest you get in touch with the head of languages to resolve this before school begins.</p>
<p>(Sorry, BronxKid, don’t mean to hijack your thread.)</p>
<p>@CEECEE777
As someone who has gone through the application process, I can tell you one thing. The admission process is truly an enigma. Nobody outside the office knows how it works. One of my friends got waitlisted by Choate and got into Exeter and Andover while being rejected at a not-so-popular catholic school in our city. I can offer one tip: Be yourself! I know you will be disappointed with this tip because you hear it so much but it’s the key to admission! After you’re done with the process, you’ll see what I’m referring to and you’ll be ready for college admissions. In regards to band ensemble and such, art courses for the most part meet during the school day. Band and chorus meet after school and sports, so like 7-8 typically. I pretty sure band and chorus conflict last year but you should still be able to taken an art course regardless. Not sure about the ballet though. It might count as a sport.</p>
<p>@GoldenRation (I love your username btw) and weiqian
I’m assuming they meet 2 hours a week like most art groups (I do chorus and know friends in other groups who have similar hours). For example, with chorus, we met 7-8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays (festival chorus. Chamber chorus, a more selective choir, met 7-9 on the same nights). Sorry I’m not as thorough as I should be but I don’t participate in band! They should have similar hours to chorus though.</p>
<p>@maracas
I absolutely agree with ChoatieMom. Voicing your concerns to the head (she’s awesome! And would be me than happy to help) would be more appropriate. However, I happen to have taken two languages during freshman year. It didn’t really conflict that much with me, but as a new sophomore, you’ll pretty much have the same requirements as a freshmen with less time to fulfill them. Personally, I love languages so I didn’t mind. Unless its something you’re passionate about, I recommend you don’t do this UNLESS you love languages and they’re really interesting to you. Many recommended that I didn’t take two languages but I did and I loved it! Do it only if you love the languages you’re planning on studying. If you’re unsure, you can always take both and drop one of the languages if you decide the sacrifice isn’t worth it. But I stand by ChoatieMom. Reach out to the head of the department.</p>
<p>@choatiemom
Thanks!</p>
<p>@bronxkid
Thank you so much! I’ve emailed her before, but I’m going to talk to her tomorrow. I’ve done double languages since 6th grade, but she told me that it’s pretty rare for new 4th formers to be able to do double languages and fulfill all graduation requirements, but I really do love languages. I was thinking of just keeping Spanish, but your comment really made me want to do both, and I’ll see if it makes sense after talking to her. :)</p>
<p>@BronxKid
- my cousin’s name is Bronx! Haha
- what kinds of things do they look for in Choate applicants? I’ve heard a lot of the same stuff so far.</p>
<p>That’s a very difficult question, haha. In my opinion, they look for well-rounded students who exceed academically as well as artistically or athletically. In other words, they want smart students who can not only get good grades, but can giveback to the community too. Additionally, they want students who won’t use Choate as a stepping stone, but rather take advantage of all of the opportunities that Choate offers.</p>
<p>My tip: Don’t come off as a smart student that is too lazy to find his/her passions and unwilling to indulge in extracurriculars. Most important of all, be yourself!</p>
<p>Ok one more question (haha) I believe the website said to submit a graded essay, does that include book reports? Because I have one that I’d like to use, and I haven’t actually got an essay this year at least that wasn’t on a standardized test!</p>