Ever since we completed the new student center at Choate, the separation between day and boarding students (which was small before) is now virtually nonexistent. Both day students and boarders alike get to relax, study, and spend time together in the same space.
I find it amazing how the completion of one building has removed the divide, however small, between day students and boarders.
Cheers,
WildBoarAnswers
Can anyone share if they used the laundry service plans and their opinion of it?
Oh no! Someone has invoked the laundry question! Let the games begin:
Both my students used Laundry Service all 4 years. The price comes down–highest for freshmen, then to keep you buying, it is lowest for Seniors. It was okay. If you use dry cleaning, the price may be worth it as it includes unlimited dry cleaning. You shove your stuff in a bag, and they decide if it needs dry cleaning.
The only trouble we had was younger student got her Pottery Barn quilt stolen at Laundry. When she went to pick it up, it was gone. Never recovered it though we spoke to Laundry Service many times. They tried to claim she didn’t put it in the sack, but of course she did, and never got it back or reimbursed. We ended up buying another tie-die Pottery Barn comforter, but couldn’t get the original teal color.
If you can afford it, get it. (it is pricey) If not you can do your laundry yourself which I hear now at Choate is totally free. No quarters needed. You used to have to pay, but now I hear washer and dryer are free to all.
how competitive is it to get into JV field hockey? like approximately how many girls try out/get in.
Hi back to the laundry question, are there currently laundry machines in every dorm or are they in a central location?
Hi. I don’t know if this is hijacking this thread, but our DD is starting as a third former at Choate next week (!) and we have heard from her advisor. She will be in Squire, which is a smaller girls dorm. Does anyone know about Squire? Does anyone know specifically about room 101? This whole thing is starting to get real! Thanks.
Squire Stanley is the oldest dorm on campus as it is the original building of The Choate School. Our son’s freshman dorm room in Mem House looked down on Squire. I thought it was a very pretty antique building but never saw the inside. It’s certainly one of the architectural treasures of the campus, but others will have to tell you what it’s like to live there.
According to this, the house dates to 1690:
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Squire_Stanley_House_-_Choate_Rosemary_Hall.jpg
(That’s a slice of Mem House, the freshman boys dorm, at the far right of the picture.)
@zenirkas: Free Washers and dryers are found in various locations around campus. There was no large, central laundromat-like facility when our son graduated in '15, but many improvements have been made. Perhaps a current student can comment if additional facilities are now available.
There is a central laundry now near mem circle, but lots of dorms have their own washers and dryers.
Some of the kids from different dorms like to do laundry together so they use central laundry.
I had a fourth former in Squire. It can be dark. You can buy some battery operated stick up lights. The dorm of course from colonial times is old, but the students become close knit. For parents, unlike some other dorms,there’s closeby parking and you can actually pull up virtually to the front door for move in and move out.
@Hulahoop45 – Welcome! My DD is a current 4th former. To my knowledge, only NoHo and Archibold dorms have their own laundry facilities. Everyone else on campus will use the central laundry facilities. Squire is a smaller dorm than Nichols, and from everything my daughter told me, the 10 or so girls who live there end up being very close by the end of the year. The dorm also has hardwood floors and exposed wood beam ceilings, and larger rooms than Nichols. It’s also staffed by amazing prefects and is closer to the dining hall and language building than Nichols, the larger 3rd form girls dorm. DD recommends bringing a hammock to hang in the trees in between Memorial House and Squire!
I was on campus today and there were a lot of prefects/athletes moving in
Hi Y’all! It’s that time of year again!! Choate decisions have come out today. Reach out if you have any questions!
Hi, I was accepted at Choate Rosemary Hall and confirmed my enrollment today! I know this is a bit soon but I have so many questions, since it is unlikely I’ll be going to revisit day.
If you also got accepted, feel free to add your own questions. Thank you so much.
Hello @saigonollie Congratulations! Choate is a wonderful school and I am sure you will like it. I am a parent at Choate and will attempt to answer some of your questions:)
1). Two years ago, the dress code changed to casual. I think the only things that you cannot wear are ripped jeans, and tank tops. The student handbook that you will receive shortly has more specifics.
2) Whenever I am on campus, I always like the food 
3) Yes, very typical for an incoming sophomore to have a roommate. Choate will send you a roommate questionaire later in the Spring for you to complete.
4) Sophomores usually take Chem for science. The sequence is Physics, Chem, Bio.
5) Double congrats on being chosen as a head’s scholar! I am not sure about all ot the specifics, but I believe there is a merit scholarship attached to it, meetings with the headmaster, and other perks like helping you schedule your travel.
6) Answering for my DC on this one (ahahaha). I would say that what she likes most are the wide and varied choices of activities there. There is literally something for everyone! She also loves her teachers, and how they go the extra mile to help her with her homework, class material questions, etc. She has made friends from all over the world; the global aspect of the school is amazing!
Hi @saigonollie! Congrats on getting into Choate. I agree with everything that @itcannotbetrue said. To elaborate further on two points
3) I recommend getting a roomate as a new sophomore unless you are seriously not the roommate type. It can be really nice to come into a boarding school knowing at least one person on campus(although everyone is welcoming of new students).That’s just my personal opinion though.
Keep the questions rolling!
Thanks for setting this up. Coming in as a third form student this fall from NC. Trying to start thinking about getting organized and packing. Besides the basics- do you have any tips for packing? Also- do the dorms tend to run warm or cold in the winter? Getting ready to order some bedding- thanks
Hey everybody!
I am currently an incoming fourth form (sophomore) boarder at Choate having just finished my freshman year there. I remember lurking through this forum a lot when I was applying to boarding schools. Now that it’s summer and the upcoming school year is just three months away, I decided to create this account to answer any questions incoming Choate/boarding school students have about boarding school life, course load, extracurriculars, etc.
Ask away!
Hey,
The dorms don’t get too cold, but since there is no AC, it gets very hot during the warmer months (like very hot). I would suggest a large rotating fan for your room. I would recommend a desk light and a bluetooth speaker.
When do you find out whether you are in a single room or have a roommate? Before or at registration?
