Hi @Penguins75 , how would you describe your overall experience at Choate? What would you say is the worst and best parts of Choate? How is the study abroad program (if you’ve ever taken part in it)?
Hey guys! I was just casually glancing at my calendar and realized that the infamous March 10th has rolled around once again. I can’t believe that it has been three years since I was standing in your shoes. I am now an 11th grader/5th former at Choate. CC did so much for me (maybe you guys have ran into some of my old posts lol), and I want to give back. I remember that there were not many threads about Choate, and even during my three years, there has been a lot of change. So I’m making this thread so that I (and anyone else who has anything to add) can answer all of your questions. I also remember that Choate decisions came out later in the day than most other schools so feel free to just vent or be nervous here until they are out. To start, I want to just list a few fun facts about our school that I think are pretty cool.
1.) We DON’T have a dress code. We petitioned as a student body and got rid of it this year. The only thing you can’t wear to class is ripped jeans.
2.) We’re getting a new Student Activities Center that will be opening this April. The new building is amazing and shows the schools dedication to making sure its students work hard and have fun.
3.) Our teachers get to bring their dogs to classes. By far, one of my fav things about Choate as an avid doggo lover.
4.) You can study abroad in a variety of countries from Spain to Morocco to China to France to Italy and even more. Lots of schools offer study abroad, but all of these programs are ran through Choate with Choate teachers making it easier to stay on track and take required classes while abroad.
5.) (This is an opinion, but I think most people would agree) Our student body is super open, kind, and welcoming. Students, faculty, and even dogs on campus go out of their way to make sure that everyone feels accepted and comfortable regardless of their beliefs, appearance, background, or anything else. This makes for a diverse group of people on a safe and accepting campus.
Anyways, feel free to ask any questions you have below. #GoChoate
My overall experience at Choate has been a good one. It has its ups and downs, naturally. You are living at home and at your high school so you will run into speed bumps along the way. But the experience is worth it. I have not participated in the study abroad program myself,but I have heard many of my friends that have said they loved the experience. Most people do study abroad their junior year, which is something a I recommend doing because junior year is tough, but spending it in France, Spain, or China, makes it way better. (There are also other countries like Italy and Morocco/Jordan) @Unkempt-Couth
Okay, thanks for the response! @Penguins75
No problem! Feel free to ask anymore questions! @Unkempt-Couth
I’ll always have a special place in my heart for CC. Especially every March 10th @PhotographerMom
What is Wallingford like? How long is the walk? Are you allowed to go to town at any time?
@Nico.campbell Wallingford is a small, but there is plenty to explore. Its just how much you want to make of it. It was previously an industrial town, so there are more run down areas, but there are so many hidden gem restaurants and random fun things to do, you just have to search for the fun. Technically, Choate considers Wallingford to be a part of town so you can go in at any time. You just have to follow certain guide lines like check in’s and plan with academics too. The walk onto mainsheet is about 4-6 minutes. It depends on how quickly you are walking. Its a really nice walk
Is choate your first choice Nico, because if you’re attending I might see you there :)>-
@Penguins75 Thanks so much! @Unkempt-Couth I think so, yeah :)>-
@penguins75 Can you use the weight room in place of a sport?
Well, technically know. Although instead of a sport you can do fitness(basically you exercise for an hour or two a certain number of times a week) There are weights in the fitness area (its like a gym, they have the bikes, some weights,ergs, that kind of thing) You get an advisor person, so you can try setting up a fitness plan with them( Some advisors are more involved than others) The weight room is a complicated deal because of the fact that many of the teams use them. ( Hockey, football, wrestling, crew) So it might not be available and you need an adult who knows what their doing to spot you. @Unkempt-Couth
Hello! My son was accepted as a day student, we are sooooo happy! Question: how often do day students become boarders at Choate? His feelings about this has changed far enough over the last couple of months to consider being a boarder instead. Can this be changed now? Later? When? Either way it wouldn’t make or break his decision, but he also was accepted to Taft and Loomis as a boarder. He applied to Choate for day because of proximity, but now we think that boarding might be better for him.
…any comments greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!
Hi! I was recently accepted as a 10th grade boarding student. It it difficult to fit in when most of the sophomore class have already known each other for a year?
Also, does anyone know anything about the arts concentration program for music? Is there a limit on people in the program or are only certain grades/upperclassmen allowed in? Would I be able to join as a new sophomore?
Thanks so much! Any information is greatly appreciated! 
Changing from day student to boarder definitely happens often. I have plenty of friends and know plenty of people who live far enough out, like 40 to 30 minutes away, that they become a boarder. I would say that his best chance of becoming a boarder would be to wait until the tenth grade to make the switch because it depends on space and such, so I would give the school a call and talk to them about it because of logistics(i.e is there space for him to become one, do you have to live a certain distance from the school,etc.)If he were to want to become a day student in the tenth grade, I know that you would have to apply to become a boarder. This does no mean that he would lose his spot as a day student, and he would probably get in because he is already a student, but it really depends on the number of spots they have in terms of boarding. My biggest recommendation: Give the school a call ASAP, see what they have to say, and tell them that you are very interested. @happar
@slytherinwishin I’m not going to lie, it will be a little difficult at first to fit in. This will naturally happen anywhere. But there is a specific new student orientation where it is only new students meeting other new students. Plus there are about 40 other new students in the same grade plus freshman who are all new, as well as other new students in the upper grades. I would not worry about it. Just go into it with an open mind and put your self out there. It will be hard and a little painful, but in the end the connections you make will be worth it, especially in the beginning when you are trying to get settled. Also, students that were there the year before are always excited about new people and will definitely take you under their wing.
Yes there is a limit on the number of people in the music section of the Arts Con program, but that happens with all parts of the program too(i.e Visual, Dance, theater) Remember that seniors are graduating though and that means that spots will open up. Unfortunately, applications come out late winter early spring for Arts Con, so you would have to apply then and if you get in, you would only be able to participate in it 11th and 10th grade. They are not biased at all on grade, they only care about the level of skill and talent, so definitely apply and give it a shot!!
@Penguins75 Okay, thanks so much for the great advice!
I’m so pissed off, I got waitlisted 
anyone have advice?
@Allenz6107 Don’t give up! I was waitlisted last year but I tried again and was accepted this year. There is always a small possibility that you could be taken off the waitlist, but if not, apply again next year! My interviewer told me that they really like when they see determination and improvement in prospective students, especially when applying again. Study hard and make improvements in things like grades, extracurricular activities, and your SSAT score. Make it clear that Choate is where you want to be. Good luck and I wish you the best! If you have more questions, you can always message me and I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability!
Does anybody have any idea of what the dorms are like? How nice are they in comparison to other schools that you’ve visited? Can someone give me a general description? 