Nice of you to return, @ursalaisnotevil. I’m glad you’re enjoying your experience.
@Jane90, I’ll let current students give current details for most of your questions, but I can give some info on 1 and 4.
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Choate is not a formal Harkness school like Exeter but uses the Socratic, discussion-based approach for most classes. Exams, homework, and class participation are all figured into your grades, but most students are new to round-table instruction and have to learn how to participate, so no worries. You’ll be a pro eventually.
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The Choate campus is not huge but you will walk a lot. “How far” is not a question that can be answered other than to say that you will walk to every building at some point but how far that building is from your dorm will depend on which dorm/house you live in which, most likely, will change every year. Some classes will be in the same building, right next door, down the street, or across campus. The year our son lived in Hill House, he had a room at the top of the stairs to the dining hall which was very convenient for breakfast and access to faculty offices but not as close to other places he needed to go. What was farther for him was closer for others and vice versa. Don’t worry about this; exercise is good for you.
There are no gate checks because there are no gates. The campus is open and borderless. Choate considers the town of Wallingford to be part of campus and, in normal times, students are free to wander around town as they wish, although I’m sure there are COVID restrictions in place now. When our son was there, he often walked to Walmart, grabbed an ice cream at Mr. D’s, enjoyed a meal with friends at Archie Moore’s and other restaurants. Yes, it is safe in general, but the usual common sense precautions apply.