What is Choate Rosemary Hall Looking For?
Choate Rosemary Hall seeks applicants who are self-motivated, self-aware, and who can thrive in a dynamic and robust learning community. Applicants should be curious, confident, and have a willingness to explore. The application process itself is one of exploration, whereby applicants can share their interests in, and experiences with, taking intellectual risks.
Applicants should be prepared to identify interests and passions that Choate can help them to realize. Admission to the school is highly selective, with 16% of its applicants gaining admission.
What are the Central Qualities of a Choate Education?
Dynamic balance characterizes the Choate Rosemary Hall experience. Choate is looking for the skills and habits of mind that carry relevance in all aspects of school life – academic, artistic, athletic, and interpersonal – and beyond. These may include perseverance and resilience; the ability to formulate one’s own ideas with originality and inventiveness; individual effort balanced with productive collaboration; and self-advocacy balanced with a commitment to serve others.
Empathy is also an essential attribute in developing long-term, successful solutions to problems. Applicants should recognize the importance of dedicated engagement in service to others, including but not limited to, social justice and environmental sustainability. These skills and habits of mind provide the foundation for positive and productive leadership, contribution to society, and lifelong personal development.
Choate Rosemary Hall, an intentionally diverse, inclusive community
Choate Rosemary Hall seeks academic excellence in a community that values diversity and inclusion. Choate unites creative, passionate, and engaged young people with dedicated educators in a diverse but cohesive community. Current students come from 38 states plus the District of Columbia and 52 countries; 36% are domestic students of color and 18% are international students.
Choate’s Office of Equity and Inclusion continues to build upon the impressive groundwork of the School’s Diversity Education Committee and the Choate Diversity Student Association, to develop a school-wide approach to diversity, inclusion, and multicultural competence. Since 1989, when the first Office of Multicultural Affairs was created, a commitment to diversity remains a core value of the School.
Choate Financial Aid Availability
Choate strives to meet the financial needs of families so that the most qualified students can attend, regardless of income. Many families receive financial assistance, with awards ranging from $2,000 to the full cost of tuition. Financial aid deadlines are in January, so you should schedule a consultation as early as possible.
A Place of Many Paths
Founded in 1890, Choate has had the privilege of nurturing over 17,000 graduates, who have made the School proud of the remarkable and distinctive lives that they’ve chosen to live. Choate alumni are leaders, innovators, catalysts, and true originals. Their unique way of seeing the world reflects the School’s focus on the Life of the Mind. Choate Rosemary Hall aims to foster critical and independent thinking, deep intellectual curiosity, exploration, and a lifelong love of learning.
Students may choose from more than 300 courses or pursue one of Choate’s Signature Programs that offer an in-depth dedicated learning experience in eight areas: Advanced Robotics, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Concentration, Capstone, Environmental Immersion Program, John F. Kennedy ’35 Program in Government and Public Service, Science Research, and Term Aboard. Successful applicants often demonstrate an interest in one of these signature academic programs.
Home to Day and Boarding Students
Our admission strategists can help you determine whether to apply as a day or boarding student. Choate recommends students within a reasonable driving distance of campus consider applying as a day student; however, there are many benefits to living on campus. Boarding provides an excellent opportunity for self-exploration, developing relationships with peers, and immersion in the campus experience.
How Can A Choate Rosemary Hall Applicant Stand Out From the Crowd?
To stand out in the admission process applicants need to give evidence that they are:
Let our Choate Rosemary Hall admission counselors help you highlight your talents, passions, and achievements in a way that sets you apart from other applicants.
What are the academic credentials of Choate Rosemary Hall's application?
The Choate admission committee looks for exemplary and uniquely talented applicants with the potential to excel. Those who are admitted usually have:
- An average grade of “A” in their previous school year
- SSAT scores in the 84% percentile
- Involvement in multiple extracurricular activities
- Very strong letters of recommendation
Choate does not require standardized tests; however, we recommend sharing test results when they accurately reflect a student’s academic ability. You can submit the following test scores for consideration: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT or ACT.
Tests for Non-Native English Speakers
Choate encourages non-native English speakers and those who attend a school where English is not the primary language to submit TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS test scores to demonstrate English proficiency.
Extracurricular Activities
Participation in extracurricular activities is a central component of life at Choate. A history of sports, performing arts, service activities, or science and math competitions can help give you a competitive edge in the admissions process.
Examples of Choate applicants with special talents include:
- World-class talent in the performing or visual arts
- Exceptional skills and promise in any sport; (5 female Choate hockey players went on to become Olympic medalists)
- Award-winning science or math student; (Choate students have represented the U.S. at the International Physics Olympiad Competition)
- Dedicated engagement in service to others, including but not limited to efforts toward social justice and environmental sustainability
The selection process considers a student’s likelihood to succeed in campus life. Our Choate Rosemary Hall admissions counselors work with you to put your best foot forward in the application process by highlighting strengths, interests, and skills that will contribute to the Choate community.
Preparing for Your Choate Interview
Choate performs interviews throughout the fall and winter. Students interested in attending submit an inquiry form to schedule a 45-minute interview with a Choate admissions counselor, alumni, or faculty member.
The interview is an opportunity to express your interest in attending Choate, highlight your accomplishments and passions, and ask questions to ensure Choate is a good fit. The interview time is split evenly between the student and parents or guardians.
Let's Get Started!
Our admission strategists are on hand and ready to serve as your Choate Rosemary Hall admissions guide throughout the Choate admission process. Contact us to schedule a consultation.