How to Get Into Choate Rosemary Hall
Key Dates and Information
- Location: Wallingford, CT
- Grades: 9-postgraduate
- Application deadline: January 15, 2024
- Financial aid deadline: January 15, 2024
- Admission tests:
- 9th grade: SSAT or ISEE accepted
- 10th and 11th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT accepted
- Postgraduate: PSAT, SAT, or ACT accepted
- Test scores are optional
- Admissions notification: March 10, 2024
- Admissions response deadline: April 10, 2024
Introduction
Choate Rosemary Hall (Choate) is a boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through postgraduate. The postgraduate year is a unique opportunity for students to gain college preparatory experience before matriculating to a university. Located in the town of Wallingford, Connecticut, Choate offers students a beautiful campus with top facilities. It was one of the most sought-after schools of 2022.
Starting the application process to a top school like Choate may feel intimidating, so we have created this guide with important information and resources to help families understand the application process.
We recommend using this guide in conjunction with our Admissions Assist Course, through which families can prepare for the admissions interview, craft strong written application materials, and learn what to expect when applying to schools like Choate.
Application
The first step in applying to Choate is to complete the inquiry form to indicate interest. After that, the following steps need to be completed by January 15, 2024:
- Participate in an admissions interview
- Students are invited to schedule an interview after submitting the inquiry form
- Submit admissions test scores (optional)
- 9th grade: SSAT or ISEE accepted
- 10th and 11th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT accepted
- Postgraduate: PSAT, SAT, or ACT accepted
- Submit English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Applicants who are not native English speakers and/or have not been at an English-speaking school for at least two years are strongly encouraged to submit TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS scores.
- Complete the online application through Gateway to Prep Schools
- The application fee is $75 for domestic students, $125 for international students
- Complete and submit the candidate profile
- Write and submit the applicant essays
- Submit the parent/guardian statement
- Request and submit the transcript report
- Grades from current year and previous two years required
- Request and submit recommendations
- Required recommendations:
- Principal or guidance counselor
- Current English teacher
- Current math teacher
- Optional recommendations
- Third teacher (current or previous)
- Personal
- Required recommendations:
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
Admissions Interview
Interviews at Choate are conducted September through February. After submitting the inquiry form, applicants will be sent an email invitation to schedule an interview. Interviews are conducted via Zoom and last 45 minutes. The interviewer, who may be an admissions officer, faculty, or alumn, speaks with the applicant for 20-25 minutes and then with parents/guardians or other registered guests for the time remaining.
The admissions interview is an exciting component of the application because it gives you the chance to express your interests and passions and to ask questions about Choate to make sure it is a good fit for you. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep Course helps applicants prepare for the admissions interview, so that you can feel confident during your interview and showcase your strengths.
Along with our Interview Prep Course, make sure you’ve done your research so you can share specific reasons for applying to Choate. Learn about Choate’s mission and history. Take a look at their curriculum and consider classes you’re interested in. Explore opportunities in arts and athletics and be ready to share how you hope to get involved. If you are applying as a boarding student, read about campus life at Choate. Be ready to share why you think Choate is a good fit for you and vice versa!
Admissions Tests
Applicants have the option to submit the following tests:
- 9th grade: SSAT or ISEE
- 10th and 11th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
- Postgraduate: PSAT, SAT, or ACT
Even though test scores are optional, we highly recommend taking an admissions exam. After you receive your scores, you can decide whether submitting your scores will strengthen your application. If your scores are competitive, submitting them will help your application stand out, and if they’re not, no need to submit them. In short, taking an admissions exam can only help you.
Test Innovators is here to help you achieve your best scores. As an official practice partner of the SSAT and the only official practice partner of the ISEE, we have the expertise to ensure you do your best on test day. We offer full-length practice tests with detailed score reports, which allow you to target areas with room for improvement. In addition to learning content, you will gain the necessary testing strategies and skills.
When you are ready to start preparing, check out our SSAT Prep Guide and ISEE Prep Guide.
Financial Aid Application
Choate has a robust financial aid program for students and strives to enroll the best possible students regardless of their financial standing. During the 2022-2023 school year, 34% of students at Choate received financial aid. Award amounts ranged from $2,000 to full tuition, with an average of 80% of tuition covered.
All applicants must complete the financial aid application by January 15, 2024. Applications are submitted and processed through the Clarity platform.
Refer to Choate’s financial aid page for more information.
Boarding
Boarding is an option for students in all grades at Choate, and approximately 80% of students board. Students who live in Connecticut may choose to apply either as a day or boarding student, and students who live elsewhere must apply as a boarding student. While most dorms are divided by grade, some dorms house students in multiple grades. A faculty member lives in each dorm.
To learn more about boarding at Choate, please visit their website.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics
Choate has teams in the following sports:
- Archery
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming & diving
- Tennis
- Track & field
- Ultimate frisbee
- Volleyball
- Water polo
- Wrestling
Intramural activities, such as rock climbing, dance, hiking, and yoga, are also offered. For more information about athletics at Choate, visit their athletics page.
Arts
Choate promotes student creativity and exploration through the arts. They offer four arts programs for students to explore: the dance program, the music program, the theater program, and the visual arts program. Opportunities in the arts can serve as inspiration for your interview and written application materials. Learn more through Choate’s arts page.
Clubs and Organizations
Students at Choate can participate in an array of clubs and organizations. Clubs include the Environmental Action Coalition, Chess Club, Choate Film Club, and Ukulele Club. Students can also get involved in organizations such as Student Council, Robotics Team, and Model UN. Learn more about student activities at Choate, and consider sharing areas of interest in your application and interview.
Conclusion
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in Admissions Assist for Middle School or Upper School
- Learn more about preparing for the SSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about Choate
Originally published on August 18, 2021. Updated on October 3, 2023.
