I'm stuck between 2 great schools

Prep School Admissions
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I recently got accepted to Greenwich Academy which is an all girls school. It is very hard to get into for the ninth grade. Greenwich Academy is a great day school and it is the first all girls school in the USA. 1/3 of the graduating class go to ivy leagues I heard and each class is only 70 people.
I am also very confident I will get into Choate in which I would board. Choate is such an amazing school with so many educational opportunities and an awesome community. I don’t mean to sound arrogant.
This decision is driving me crazy. How can I possibly decide between these two brilliant schools. To top it off, my mom strongly discourages me from attending Choate and really wants me to go to Greenwich Academy, whereas my Father dislikes Greenwich Academy and is all for me going to Choate.

They are saying its totally on me. Also, the Greenwich Academy Contract has to be signed on March 10th, which is the same day the Choate Decision comes out.

How can I possibly decide?

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Flip a coin, if you still need to, after M10. If you have two great options, it won’t matter which one you choose.

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So you would board at Choate but live at home for Greenwich. Which living situation would you prefer? Can you handle living away from home well?

Do you prefer coed or all girls?

Is one smaller than the other? What size do you prefer?

Look at classes and extracurriculars that you like at each school.

Finally, and most importantly, what is the vibe at each school and which fits you best?

(I know I would choose Choate but that is not relevant!)

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I was going to say you don’t know if you’re getting into Choate and to remember that you might not have a choice, but I read your chance me and honestly you’re probably going to get in, so I’ll ignore that.

I agree that the decision will probably come down to all-girls vs. coed and day vs. boarding, but based on the interviews/zooms/that sort, which are you leaning toward?

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Sidenote: It’s so cool that you’ve played at Carnegie Hall! What’s it like?

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Thanks for the thoughts, but lol I only applied to these two schools because they both fit me so well. There are so many great prep schools in Connecticut, but I only applied to two because I loved them.

Its nice to hear that you would chose choate! it gives me some thoughts from a third perspective!

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Ask for an extension from Greenwich. We asked for one from a local private day school here and they said fine.

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It’s really fun! but the real reason I am 90 percent sure I will get in isn’t even on my chance me. Its because I did a lot community service so unique no one else would have it on their application. Its so unique the Greenwich Academy Admissions office said I was the best candidate they’ve ever had, and keep in mind this school is also extremely selective. Again, not to be arrogant.

What I did exactly, I am sure no applicant has done, and I am going to keep it a secret.

If I don’t get in, great! It won’t be an impossible decision. But the chance I won’t get in is very unlikely

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Oh, great idea, I didn’t know they could do that

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Well, if they can extend it that means another student has to wait.

So have you gotten in to Choate?

I am biased because my brothers got to go away at that age and I so wanted to. So don’t pay attention to my preference. I went to an all girls’ school and there are pros and cons but overall I also prefer coed so that influences me, but you may feel differently.

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If you want to do music, and not sure you do, are you going to do private lessons? In NYC? Did you consider Walnut Hill?

Playing in Carnegie Hall is not necessarily as impressive as it sounds- it depends. I am a music person so I did look up your awards etc. so clearly that is a strength.

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I know, its really not impressive, but that’s not why I am pretty sure I will get in.
Its the community service. It is so unique and I know no one else will have it on their application, and I am keeping it a secret exactly what I did. The thing is I’ve stayed with my piano teacher and her goal is so her student’s don’t really need her. Like her daughter goes to Andover and she got in because of another secret that is related to piano. So I won’t really need her if I go to Choate and she knows it. I am 100 percent capable of learning music by myself now.

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Greenwich Academy is a great school. You are fortunate to have been admitted as a ninth grade student.

The less risky option is to enroll at Greenwich Academy. See if you enjoy an all girls school. If not, then apply to a few schools–both boarding & day–for 10th grade admission.

Greenwich Academy is an outstanding school. Congratulations !

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Thank you! Its been very exciting for me and everyone has been very kind.

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Rosemary Hall was once located in Greenwich (Corner of Ridgeway and Mead Lane)

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Don’t know Greenwich at all but sounds like college matriculation at Greenwich is even better than Choate? Wow, that is an amazing school!

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Choate Rosemary Hall is one of the best prep boarding schools in the country; fortunately for OP, Greenwich Academy happens to be one of the best prep day schools in the country.

A clear issue: Single sex school or co-ed school ?

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Yes, I only learned that yesterday

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As others have said, the issue comes down to whether you want co-ed or a single-sex school. I would personally prefer Choate.

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For those not familiar, GA has a brother school, an all-boys day school called Brunswick Academy. Though they have separate campuses, they’re more or less across the street from one another (sort of a funny path you can walk between them…) and kids actually take classes with/at the other regularly.

So, GA is all-girls technically, but not in the same way you’re probably thinking.

Not that that would sway my decision.

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