Why I Chose Choate (Should You?)

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Yes, a dramatic title! I like them, you like them, let's move on now.</p>

<p>My name is Saer. I'm the creator of the "Countdown to Acceptance Letters" thread, I applied last year to Choate, Exeter, Andover, and NMH, and I now attend Choate as a new sophomore.</p>

<p>I'm going to add snippets of my previous posts to, yes, let you know exactly why I chose Choate. Then, some current reality checks (boarding school ISN'T paradise??) and some random tidbits.</p>

<p>Then, you guys can ask me any questions you have about Choate! From the deepest, most meaningful analyses to the sincerely inane queries, I'll answer them all to the best of my ability!</p>

2

<p>"What do you like most about Choate?</p>

<p>I like study hours. Weird, right? Well, it MAKES me do work. Yes, we all ***** about it. We ALL hate them… But secretly, I think a lot of people enjoy them. I might miss lights out next year, too! Though I do hate it more than study hours.
I think my absolute favorite thing is the connection I’ve made with my friends. Being able to run across the hall and talk to my friends during study hours is so helpful, enjoyable, and makes the long days bearable! People are what make Choate memorable, not the grades or the accomplishments. Try to remember that!</p>

<p>What sort of person would be happiest at Choate?
The rich kind.
I’m not joking. Yes, that’s a little flippant and a bit blunt, but true. If you have money to eat out every other day and go on extravagant trips during break and pay thousands of dollars to go on community service opportunities, buy the latest fashions and hardware, you will most likely be popular, comfortable, and happy.</p>

<p>If you’re not rich, you’ll be happy at Choate if you:
-Remember that money and grades don’t MAKE you happy.
-Can relax. Take a second and BREATHE because getting an A+ on that test doesn’t mean as much as having a laugh with friends and keeping your sanity.
-Enjoy the little moments. Pillow fights in the SAC. Seeing live professional performances in the PMAC with friends. Staying at the dining hall until you’re kicked out. Snowball fights until JFord bans them.
-Work hard. Don’t be afraid to say no to friends or whatever if you really need to study. Just don’t do it ALL the time, or you WILL hate yourself."</p>

<p>"Oh and I just realized that you’re deciding between Exeter and Choate…
I know a lot of kids who chose Choate over Exeter, including myself (!), and here’s why:</p>

<p>Exeter is cut throat. Extreme. If you can survive in that environment, and I know CCers who can and do, then do it. But if you need a place to grow and find your own routine and academic niche, then Choate is the school for you. I may have my bad days with Choate, but trust me, I’d recommend it to the ends of the Earth. Especially over Exeter.
You know I could be a varsity athlete at Exeter right now? The volleyball coach, after seeing me play as a Choate setter, told a teammate of mine that I was one of the “best setters on a JV team he’s seen in a long time.” I sacrificed that opportunity to have the varsity letter because the environment at Choate was so much more right. The varsity volleyball coach from Choate called me on March 10th, literally a half hour after I had gotten my acceptance, to congratulate me and encourage me to attend. That meant something. Exeter? Nothing. They were almost smug when I replied by phone and told them I wouldn’t be attending. Just another name to write off, they had plenty in the waitlist. Not so with Choate.
If you feel Exeter is the right place to be, go for it. But you have to be sure with a place like Exeter. Really, really, really sure."</p>

3

<p>"Funny:
Staying up until 4 am then realizing, “Hey guys… We could have a sleep over if we wanted!”</p>

<p>Sad:
Forgetting about your News article assignment and not having any information and failing at life miserably.</p>

<p>Funny:
Dancing like an idiot at SAC (student activity center) dances while fake money is thrown at you</p>

<p>Sad:
Losing a game or match against a rival</p>

<p>Funny:
Getting tackled by your best friend on your way to class, rolling down a hill, and coming up covered in grass and laughing while your other friends clap.</p>

<p>Sad:
Being so frustrated by a test that you have to stay 10 extra minutes to finish and you almost begin to cry.</p>

<p>Funny:
Having a day student friend spend the night in your dorm and making secret psych gifts for your teammates until 1 a.m.</p>

<p>Sad:
Having to wake up the next morning at 6:00 for PSATs."</p>

4

<p>"I am going to be a new sophomore at Choate!</p>

<p>I had the option of repeating, but the thought foremost in my mind when I considered my options was:</p>

<p>I have spent the majority of my life imagining life AFTER high school, and striving toward that goal. Do I really want to spend 5, instead of 4, there?</p>

<p>Obviously I’m missing out a little. It’s going to be harder than anything to assimilate into the new social scene, once everyone has made friends. But Choate (and this is why I’m recommending it to you, especially) accepts a lot of new sophomores each year. You WON’T be alone! They are very good to their students, both new and returning. Any disciplinary problems (I had an issue with an older student harassing me) are handled immediately and personally by the dean of students and, in my experience, with a coach who knows you and the situation well(the boy is now off-campus suspended and has had his prefectship taken away).</p>

<p>This decision can be made on a fact or a personal basis. Do you want to be the older kid, with an EXTRA year of this mandatory he11-hole we call high school? Do you want to be more mature, with more time to take all the classes you want or need to, without worrying so much about requirements?</p>

<p>Choate is very open to repeats and new sophomores, and accepts many of both each year. Though, yes, the arts concentration could make Choate seem “artsy”, you should look into the Capstone, Senior Spring Project, and the Science Research Program on the website. Definitely keep it on your list! I love this school, and I hope to keep that opinion this fall."</p>

<p>"Don’t stress about your miniscule flaws. Be charismatic and focus your interviewer’s attention on you positive qualities and accomplishments.</p>

<p>Find a few things you are excellent at or passionate about. For me, it was volleyball, in particular. Contact the school’s faculty in that field/interest and build a relationship. For one, it’ll show dedication to the school, and they will WANT you because of that. And on the other hand, the relationships you build will help you determine which school you actually want to go to. Choate’s varsity volleyball coach was one of my deciding factors.</p>

<p>When interviewing, don’t overdo the praise of the school. Instead of throwing out wide, blanket statements (“It’s so beautiful!” “I love the campus”), DO find a few things that really caught your eye (“I loved the architecture in the Arts Center” “Your Science building has amazing lab classrooms for a high school”). That is what will turn the interview from an interview into a discussion.</p>

<p>When choosing a school, don’t underestimate, or overestimate, your abilities. I could have applied to just Choate and gotten in. I didn’t need Exeter or Andover, and I definitely didn’t need to apply to NMH as a safety. I didn’t even like the school terribly- amazing school, but not for me (a farm? I’ve lived on farms my entire life! Give me the city and suburbia!).</p>

<p>On that note, don’t apply to schools that definitely have something fundamental you KNOW you will hate. For NMH, that was the farm program. For someone else, oh no, Andover has 1000 students! That could be waaay too many for some people. Why would you apply there? I’ve seen it, and then people take up spots that deserving students wanted for real.</p>

<p>FOLLOW THE DRESS CODE when you interview. You don’t need to come on CC and ask what you need to wear. Honestly, no one’s judging your appearance. But what you need to do is follow their dress code. Choate is formal, so I wore black slacks with a white button down shirt and a scarf. Cute and simple, I didn’t look too casual or that I was trying too hard. Honestly, though, it’ll be alright if you’re too dressy for a no-dress-code school.</p>

<p>Make friends! Facebook is now my favorite website in the world. Why? Because, to date, I have met over 30 Choate students, and have spoken in depth with probably 10 of them. Even though its odd to think these pople will be my peers and potentially my best friends next year, it’s invaluable to my self esteem and nerves. I’m reassured by the fact that the entire Choate population of facebook doesn’t take one look at my profile and collectively go, “Eeewww!”</p>

<p>BE YOURSELVES. Boarding school is not a paradise. Boarding school is not a right. Boarding school is not for partying. Boarding school is not solely for college.
Boarding school IS an opportunity. Boarding school IS a privilege. Boarding school IS for working (and playing) hard. Boarding school IS for preparation for the rest of your lives."</p>

5

<p>“I feel like Exeter would have crushed me. “My best isn’t good enough”, etc. I like winning on occasion. In fact, I’d love to win all the time! I know going to BS will take a lot of victories away from me, but in fact, that’s GOOD. And yet, I don’t want my self esteem crushed on a daily basis because everyone is so much better than I am.”</p>

<p>WARNING: The following post is not currently accurate! Just a euphoric post DIRECTLY after my first exposure to a boarding school campus! Please take it with a grain of salt.
“I felt WONDERFUL. I was comfortable, and the campus made me want to literally cry with joy. I had braced myself for disappointment, thinking that- Oh, it can’t be the paradise I want it to be. The website just highlights the best parts. It can’t be like this in reality.
It was… AMAZING! I can’t say it enough, I loved it. I raved about it during the entire 5 hour car drive home after the tour and interview. The presentation given at the Saturday Showcase was brilliant, the admissions people were kind and considerate, and I met with the volleyball coach. The atmosphere is brilliant and comfortable, and I didn’t feel out of place no matter where we went. The interviewer was kind and very accommodating. There was no anxious waiting in a waiting room outside her door, either- it was more of a reception with parents of current students and the other applicants type of thing. Wonderful. I was interviewed by Terry Burditt (spelling? haha), a wonderful lady, very kind. She asked me how things were in the classroom, what I am passionate about, and how would my teachers describe me. We spoke a lot about my interests in volleyball and oboe, and what the school was like and what it offered. The tour was very nice, even though it was POURING rain. The tour guide and I hit it off great, we each spoke a lot about our individual passions and she was great about taking me to places I wanted to see or where she thought I would like. I’ll be a new fourth former, so I got to see the BRAND NEW, gorgeous 4th form girl dorms. It was great, and majority of the rooms are singles. The athletic and arts facilities were great! The interviewer spoke to my mother, and said I was mature, poised, and she was very impressed. I would be a good fit in the school, according to her, and she also told me I did wonderfully. I’m not saying all this to brag, but to tell people that cHOATE IS AMAZING!(And I was totally right in assuming this would be my top choice school!!)”
“OH MY GOD AMAZING DORMS. They are BRAND brand new, just opened this year. A large portion were singles, but the double room I saw was LARGE, larger than my room right now. The closets had shelves and the beds had drawers underneath them, they had bookcases and posters covering the wall. The walls were white, obviously, and the furniture a light colored wood. It takes a key card to get in, and it’s great. Very pretty! And all the rooms are just as gorgeous, I’ve been told. The mixed form dorms aren’t new, so try to get in the 4th form girls dorm!! It’s amazing The campus in general felt cohesive, comfortable, and I could see myself walking around there everyday for classes!”
“Haha, no, I haven’t seen the other schools. I know I should withhold judgement until then, but I really do love Choate. I’m applying to Exeter for financial aid (and yes, a little prestige), and Andover because of need-blind admissions (and yes, more prestige). Choate was narrowed down from a list of 8 other schools, when I knew my mom would only let me apply to 3. I chose it because of its friendly atmosphere, comprehensive athletics AND academics AND arts programs, because I’m prevalent in all three. I’m simply amazed at how accurate my feelings from the website were, and how awesome it was in general. I love Choate because of Choate, not because of financial aid or admissions.”</p>

6

<p>I was accepted as an incoming freshman in the Icahn Scholars Program at Choate! It was my 1st choice and I’m revisiting the campus from March 27th to the 29th! I still can’t believe that this is happening! Choate was my #1 choice and I’m ecstatic!</p>

7

<p>salingergirl, Are those Choate’s revisit days,or days you simply decided to visit?</p>

8

<p>Saer- the school is lucky to have you! You are an asset to the school in every way. I love your honesty. Spring term, from our experience, is really fun. Enjoy the rest of your break!</p>

9

<p>I just got accepted to Choate as a new sophomore. :D</p>

10

<p>Saer- Appreciate you posting and your honesty. My d often says that kids and parents on cc have weird ideas about boarding school, and most folks on this site are not receptive to anything except a very idealistic vision of boarding school. You sound like you are having a wonderful experience at Choate and able to balance the great experiences with the challenges.</p>

11

<p>Nice to see you back, Saer!</p>

12

<p>I love you Saer~ x3
also a Choatie that applied last year ;D I live on the opposite side of campus so I have a different perspective of some parts of dorm life. PM me if you want to know more. (totally not trying to sound like an advertisement) I know you guys just got a whole ton of information from Saer so if you want anymore, feel free to ask :)</p>

13

<p>Hi Saer,
I’m an applicant who was placed on Choate’s waitlist. Do you think I have any chance of getting off the waitlist? Even if I do, will the school offer enough FA?
Btw, I’m still completely loyal and obssessed with Choate.</p>

14

<p>Do you think I have any chance of getting off the waitlist? Even if I do, will the school offer enough FA? -eddytie</p>

<p>I obviously don’t have “insider info” on the admission’s office, but from experience and hearsay, the waitlist is usually very, very full. Choate had a low acceptance rate, but also, they may have a low matriculation rate, meaning they WILL be pulling from the waitlist.
Now, every year is different- why?
Because every year, different types of students are on the waitlist, and different types of students do not attend Choate.
If quite a few full financial aid students decide- well, Choate just isn’t the place for them, that’s an upwards of $100,000 or more in financial aid dollars that is now open for new students, both on and off the waitlist.
If only full pay students decide, well, they don’t want to come to Choate, then the school just LOST over $100,000 in tuition revenue. In this case, there may be even less FA available than normal.
The admissions office plays a very careful guessing game, to keep under budget, to make sure they’re bringing in enough students each year, and to balance the school population. Accepting 5 oboists and having them ALL accept Choate’s offer is not fun (and I am one of those 5 current oboists in the school band!) and the same goes for financial aid dollars.
Accepting 5 full pay and 5 financial aid students can either go very poorly or very well. All the full pay may accept, while all the FA defer. Or it could be vice versa.
There is no solid answer, but I hope you stay in good contact with the adults you met during this process. Coaches, interviewers, etc. can all help you now!</p>

15

<p>Also, a note to new sophomores:
This will the hardest year for you.
Yes, junior year is tough. But by then, most people have assimilated to the demands made by Choate’s teachers and faculty. New sophomore, however, lack the foundations that were built freshman year by your peers, both academically and socially.
IT WILL BE HARD.
This is not a paradise. This is not a place where everyone is as dedicated as you, as hardworking, or as helpful. And, on the flip side of that, there will always be someone who is more dedicated, more hardworking, and more helpful. It sucks to realize this but you need to.
BUT…
Does it all suck?
No! Not in the least! I loved being a new sophomore, really. I wasn’t ready as a freshman to leave home. You don’t have the restrictions on internet and lights out that freshman have to suffer through, you’re allowed co-ed, you can sit in the sophomore junior section of the dining hall. People are excited to meet you and see the “new kids” and you are really given a chance to find your own way at Choate.</p>

16

<p>Thanks a lot Saer, your info was very helpful.
Hopefully, I’ll see you at Choate this fall!</p>

17

<p>Well, I think Saer has said enough for you all to digest, so I won’t overload anyone. I am also a sophomore at Choate and I just wanted to put myself out there in case anyone else had questions. You can just see me as another resource. I entered freshman year as an international student and I really love Choate! I honestly can’t think of a better match for me. So yeah, if you want a second perspective on Choate life, feel free to message me.</p>

18

<p>March 27th to March 29th revisiting stay is for students in the Icahan Scholars Program only. I’m not sure when it is for the other applicants, though.</p>

19

<p>On the website, I read today that its 3/29 for boarders, which my son would be. So I am guessing its just a one day event for us. Still waiting for the packet which should have all the details. Thanks!</p>

20

<p>I’m in at Choate! So excited, was my first choice by far. The people there are so welcoming, friendly and bubbly, couldn’t imagine a better place to start my high school career.</p>