Choate Rosemary Hall - Review #28

Read more details about Choate Rosemary Hall on their 2024-25 profile page.
Choate Rosemary Hall
5

About the Author:

Years Attended Boarding School:
1996-2000
Sports and Activities:
News, Tennis, Squash, C.A.R.E (Community Service), Gold Key (School Tours)
College Enrolled:
University of Pennsylvania
Home Town, State:
Norwalk, CT

Reflections and Advice:

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Choate's size--not too big and not too small--allows it to have the capacity to offer its students a wide range of resources while maintaining the feel of a community where students receive plenty of personal attention.Choate's also a place where there is a niche for everyone and students can really feel like they are able to make an impact.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I met teachers that really inspired me to learn and the student body was extremely diverse so I learned a lot about different backgrounds and learned to deal with all sorts of personalities.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I would have gotten really involved in activities right when I got there. I waited to join a few things because I thought they would be better when I was a senior, but it's always good to start early. And don't worry about giving yourself time to "adjust"--clubs are a great way to meet people and I find the busier and more involved you are, the more happier and adjusted you will feel
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The people--I've never met such an exceptional and memorable collection of students. Honestly, people --teachers and students--I met in college seemed muted compared to the intensity of the passion and drive of people I met at Choate. It's fun to observe all the amazing things everyone is doing around you as well as be a part of it.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Get a roommate the first year. Even though some combinations can be disastrous, it's the best way to really get the most out of the dorm experience. You'll meet more people and it's just nice to have someone around when you are bored of studying and think of something to silly to say. Being with another person is also the best way to learn about yourself--You don't learn anything about yourself by being alone.And go Abroad! I didn't and I regretted it. Choate has programs everywhere from Spain to Japan!

Academics:

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Academics are Rigorous and Intellectually Stimulating and the classroom mode of operation encourages students to participate and contribute. Small Classes; Teachers that are extremely accessible, have lots of personality inside the classroom as well as out and truly care about how students do in class; Challenging, Varied Course Offerings.

Athletics:

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I wasn't the most athletic person, but athletic teams won many awards. Even 2 girls who went to the Olympics for Ice Hockey. Coaches are often also teachers or advisors, so athletics are another opportunity to form close bonds with the faculty.For those not athletically inclined, while there was an athletic requirement, students were able to substitute other things for sports. Activities such as theater, intramural leagues, or community service were a good substitute for being on a team.

Art, Music, and Theatre:

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
Always an amazing musical in the spring. Lively Acapella groups that even had groupies. Fun classes such as pottery, photography, oil painting.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
lots of variety--something for everything

Dorm Life:

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
I made my best friends in my life at Choate. There's something about being away from home with people your age that really brings everyone closer together. Guess at a time when most kids have their parents to talk about problems, we ended up talking to each other. Always plenty of dorm activities like mug nights (late night snack events), food runs (advisors volunteering to drive us any fast food place diner we wanted), and just lots of hanging out in each others rooms.Choate has a prefect system where older kids serve as dorm advisors. They were older sibling type figures that we all really looked up to and most of us later became once we were seniors

Dining:

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Choate food was great. Always lots of variety-for lunch there was always a sandwich bar, salad bar, soup bar, fresh pizza, pasta bar, daily specials. Equal Variety at dinner. Everyone had their favorite desserts/entrees such as black bottom cupcakes or Taco Day and its million toppings.Large tables in dining room seat about 10, so very social. Seniors get their own section at the front of the dining hall--a fun privilege for making it through all four years!No assigned seating--except for the senior section and the unofficial freshman section. Sit with faculty or friends.

Social and Town Life:

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Wallingford is definitely no busy metropolis, but there are definitely favorite hang outs and of course, a K-Mart. There is also plenty do do on Choate's campus There are enough things within walking distance that transportation isn't an issue for every day needs.There is a mall 15 minutes away in Meridan that is a quick cab ride away--or convince your advisor to give you a ride. New Haven, around Yale University, has great restaurants.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
The best thing about living at school is that you get to see your friends all the time. We used to sit for hours in the dining hall. You really make great friends at Choate.

Daily Schedule:

Weekday
8:00 AM
french (note: classes run about 50 minutes with 10 minutes passing time)
9:00 AM
math
10:00 AM
free period (nap or homework in libary)
11:00 AM
anatomy and physiology
12:00 PM
free period (lunch)
1:00 AM
english
2:00 AM
pottery
3:00 AM
sports
6:00 AM
dinner
7:00 AM
extracurricular meetings
Weekend
11:00 AM
Sunday Brunch (yum!)
1:00 PM
Mall Trip (or Sports Game if it's a saturday)
5:00 PM
dinner
6:00 PM
relax/study
9:00 PM
study break/ food vendors outside main dorm area.
Read more details about Choate Rosemary Hall on their 2024-25 profile page.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description
Choate Rosemary Hall Alumni #1
Class of 2017
5.00 7/23/2020
University of Southern California
At Choate, I felt that the faculty and administration really cared about my wellbeing and growth. Classes were mostly organized to allow for discussion and office hours were easy to attend and allowed for personal. . .
Choate Rosemary Hall Alumni #2
Class of 2016
5.00 4/17/2020
Barnard College
Choate has a diverse and interesting study body from all around the world. While it is an old and prestigious boarding school, I found Choate to be less traditional than some of its peer schools. . .
Choate Rosemary Hall Alumni #3
Class of 2019
5.00 8/6/2019
Stanford University
The community is definitely Choate's greatest asset, and the admissions folk do a great job of picking students. We're a pretty chill bunch, so you won't find much of the cut-throat competitiveness that usually accompanies. . .
Show more reviews (27 reviews)

Recent Articles

Accommodated Testing as Part of the Private School Admission Process
Accommodated Testing as Part of the Private School Admission Process
Important information about accommodated testing before submitting applications to boarding schools.
Using the Boarding Schools Admission Application Form
Using the Boarding Schools Admission Application Form
Navigate the complex path of applying to boarding schools with our comprehensive guide. From understanding each section of the Boarding Schools Admission application form to avoiding common mistakes, this article provides invaluable insights to help applicants succeed.
5 Things You Didn't Know About Boarding Schools
5 Things You Didn't Know About Boarding Schools
Boarding schools are a subset of private schools which many people don't know much about. Here are five points to ponder as you research boarding schools.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 867 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,370
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,410
  • Acceptance rate: 16%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update