Choate Rosemary Hall - Review #28

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Always an amazing musical in the spring. Lively Acapella groups that even had groupies. Fun classes such as pottery, photography, oil painting.

lots of variety--something for everything

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

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.

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.

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.