<p>And I hear they have a massive rivalry. So... which one do I choose?</p>
<p>I got a four-year scholarship to Choate, and they will cover all my expenses. If I go to deerfield, I have to pay 1,000 dollars.</p>
<p>Either place you go, you end up fighting the other.</p>
<p>Revisit. It’s what they’re for. if D’field is the right choice, that’s a cheap price to pay in the long run.</p>
<p>Bradley–they are different in many ways. If you can revisit, and talk to families from both schools. </p>
<p>Congrats!!!</p>
<p>I am a DA mom of a new sophomore—feel free to pm me.</p>
<p>first of all CONGRATS!!! they are 2 great schools, and whichever one you pick, you can’t do wrong! It’s a win-win! :)</p>
<p>First, congratulations. They are both great schools - although very different. I have an acknowledged bias, I went to Choate and my kid is a senior this year. Interestingly, my brother went to Deerfield.</p>
<p>I think Choate has friendlier kids, and is less preppy. Also, although Deerfield is definitely a prettier town than Wallingford, you are in the middle of nowhere. Choate has a movie theater, a Walmart and numerous restaurants all within walking distance. It’s also a lot easier to get into Boston, New York, etc. if that is important to you. I also think Choate is stronger in the arts and has a beautiful performing arts center.</p>
<p>On the other hand Deerfield would be a better choice for you if you are the son of a rich investment banker, and like being stuck in the middle of nowhere with preppies and cows.:)</p>
<p>Seriously, you should revisit both schools and decide which feels like it’s a better fit for you. I agree that you should not let a $1,000 difference in the amount of scholarship you receive be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>prp–being in the middle of nowhere is sometimes what a kid desires. I really feel that people mistake formal class dress for preppy.</p>
<p>I do believe that if a kid wants to wear jeans, be close to walmart, not be in a rural historic community, doesnt want sit-down meals or weekly school meetings, they would surely be better fit at Choate over Deerfield.</p>
<p>Remember all kids want and need different things.</p>
<p>Hey! Choate has sit down meals and school meetings! ;-)</p>
<p>Yeah, and Choate also does not allow jeans as class dress…</p>
<p>And I agree with prpdd. Choate has a stronger arts program, but Deerfield definitely has its perks (like the preppy lifestyle that many kids want).</p>
<p>No denim allowed in class, no bright lime green pants either- but I did see a whale belt, once!</p>
<p>haha yea…Choate’s dress code has been especially enforced this year…jeans are a huge no. and we have sit down lunch 2 times a week and weekly school meetings. go Choate :D</p>
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<p>Why? Is there any connection between no jeans and the sit down lunch? Could it be the jeans make the sit down harder due to some sizing or occasional weight issues? Yeah, go Choate :/)</p>
<p>Alexmom, I don’t disagree. As I pointed out in my post I’m not neutral. I went to Choate and have a kid there. My comparison of the two schools was meant, at least partially, to be tongue in cheek. </p>
<p>As you point out, some kids will definitely find Deerfield’s rural campus, which is definitely more like a traditional prep school very attractive. And Deerfield is an outstanding school with a strong sense of community. In fact, my brother went there and loved it. But for me, and for my kid, Choate was a better fit.</p>
<p>hootoo,</p>
<p>Not sure how jeans would restrict the ability to sit down. Neither am I sure of what point you’re trying to make; the majority of Choate kids are not overweight.</p>
<p>Choate! Obvi…</p>
<p>I count 4 Choate students on this thread alone. How many Deerfield students are this attentive? ;)</p>
<p>C’mon OP, would you rather be a “Wild Boar” or a “Door?” LOL</p>
<p>The door locks up the wild boar (like in a zoo). :D</p>
<p>Um. No. The door does not. :)</p>
<p>Although I have no affiliation with either school, I would select DA over Choate. For what it is worth, my son attends Hotchkiss (which he adores). Using THS as my base (and bias) for comparison, DA appears much closer to Hotchkiss than Choate in pace, style, place, size, community, etc. But, hey, this pick is only my opinion; it is worth very little. In the end, it is all about you and fit…very trite but very true. </p>
<p>Congrats and good luck.</p>