Frequently Asked Questions

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Standardized Testing

What is Choate's Test Optional Policy?

Standardized testing is not required to apply. When applicants choose to submit test scores, we consider them holistically as part of the broader application. A student is never assessed based solely on test scores. The admission committee evaluates candidates holistically using all application materials available, including the interview, teacher recommendations, grades, courses, and extracurricular involvement.

Will I be penalized or disadvantaged if I do not submit test scores?

How do I decide whether to submit my test scores?

The decision is truly yours as an applicant! The new test- optional policy allows applicants to decide if their standardized test score accurately reflects their academic ability and potential. For candidates who decide to submit test scores, they will be reviewed along with other indicators of academic ability including teacher recommendations, transcripts, and current grades.

If I do submit my test scores, is there an average test score you look for?

If I took a standardized test in a previous year, will you accept these scores?

If I am an international student, is an English Language Proficiency Test required?

Do you offer fee waivers for standardized tests?

For Connecticut Applicants

Applicants who reside in Connecticut may apply as either a Boarding student or a Day student; however, there are some considerations families should make before submitting their application.

Can I apply as both a Day and a Boarding student?

No. You must choose either Day or Boarding when you officially submit your application. If you would like to change the status of your application after it is submitted, please send a formal request in writing to Admission.

Is it more advantageous to apply as a Day or a Boarding student?

Both the Day and Boarding application pools are robust and competitive. For students who live within a reasonable drive to campus, we recommend applying as a day student; however, the admission committee will consider any extenuating circumstances that may make the day experience exceptionally challenging for the student or the family. Please send any additional information for your application to Admission.

Which areas of Connecticut do Day students come from?

Many Day students live in New Haven County. Day students also reside in towns across Hartford County, including: Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, Southington, Berlin, Rocky Hill, Marlborough, Wethersfield and Glastonbury; and the following towns in Middlesex County: Portland, Cromwell, Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Haddam, Killingworth.

Application Process

Where can I submit an application to Choate?

Which materials are submitted through Gateway?

What if my school’s transcript or other file is too large to upload on Gateway?

What if my school cannot send current grades?

How will I know if my application is complete?

Where should I include recommendations and application supplements?

What if I want to submit additional recommendations or materials?

Applicants may submit additional, supplementary materials by uploading them to their Choate Application Status Portal. You will gain access to your Choate Application Status Portal in the fall once you complete the Candidate Profile through Gateway. Additional personal recommendations should be sent directly from the recommender to the Choate Admission Team. Materials we receive will be added to the student’s application.

What if I experience difficulties with the Gateway platform?

Do you superscore standardized tests?

Do you set minimum academic requirements for admission?

For Postgraduate Applicants

What is a Postgraduate year?

The Postgraduate, or PG, year provides high school graduates an opportunity for a college preparatory experience during a school year between graduating from high school and matriculating to college. Choate postgraduates pursue a customized program and receive a certificate of completion on graduation day. Postgraduates walk at Choate Rosemary Hall’s graduation ceremony along with every other member of the graduating class, and upon graduation, postgraduates are considered Choate alumni.

Why do students pursue a PG year?

A PG year benefits students in a variety of ways. While at Choate, they engage in a challenging and robust academic curriculum. Like all Choate students, PGs live in senior dorms and are able to take advantage of a wide range of extracurricular activities. Living away from home in a structured environment leads to holistic development and maturation prior to the college years. Many PGs also pursue additional athletic development and are able to extend their college athletic recruitment process. While Choate doesn’t have an applicant age limit, in the case of student-athletes, by NEPSAC rule an athlete cannot turn 20 either before or during a season of play.

What does a PG curriculum look like? How are they prepared for college?

PGs must carry a full load of 5 courses per academic term. Additional coursework in the PG year will round out the student’s overall high school curriculum, and are determined by student interest, guidance from college counseling, and input from the deans. Every PG will be assigned a college counselor who will work with the student individually. PGs have an online webinar in June to ready themselves for the college process and build a relationship with their counselor.

What is the PG campus experience like at Choate?

For International Applicants

As a global and diverse institution, Choate receives applications from students with a wide range of citizenships and international education experiences. 18 percent of our student body is comprised of international students who represent around 40 different countries. The Choate Admission Team holistically considers all aspects of a student’s experiences and background when making admission decisions, and are trained in evaluating a diversity of international curricula.

Who is considered an international applicant?
Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS? What are your requirements for international applicants?

Who is considered an international applicant?

Initially, the admission process begins by reviewing applications based on the location of the student’s current school. If the school a student attends is in an international location (i.e., outside the U.S.), the applicant will be considered international at that point; however, our committee is also interested in evaluating a student’s citizenship. Students who hold U.S. citizenship, but who attend school abroad, are considered domestic. Applicants who do not hold U.S. citizenship may be considered international applicants, regardless of whether they reside in, or are educated in, the United States.

Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS? What are your requirements for international applicants?

For non-native English speakers and/or students who have not been at a school where English is the primary language of instruction for at least two years, we strongly suggest submitting results from a TOEFL, Duolingo or IELTS test. We are looking for a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL or a 7 on the IELTS. Otherwise, the application process is the same for domestic and international students.

For Those Applying to Repeat Their Current Grade

When applying to Choate, students have the option to select which grade level they would like to enter. We allow students to “reclassify” their grade level so that they repeat their current grade.

Why do students repeat?

Members of the Choate Admission Team will happily discuss considerations for repeating the current grade with students and families. Students who apply to repeat do so for a variety of reasons, including:

realigning with a grade level appropriate to the student’s maturation and skill development
allowing more time to acclimate to Choate and having a fuller experience (e.g., repeating 9th grade vs. entering as a new 10th grader)
experiencing more time on campus prior to engaging in the college process (e.g., repeating 10th grade vs. entering as a new 11th grader)

Students who repeat at Choate engage in a challenging curriculum, are able to take advantage of a wide range of extracurricular activities, experience holistic development and maturation leading up to the college process, and may find more curricular freedom in their junior and senior years.

If I repeat my current grade, will I have to repeat my curriculum?

Can I apply to multiple grades at once?

For Late Applicants or Late Application Materials

The Admission Committee gives full consideration to all applications that are complete by the January 15 deadline. Late applicants will receive due consideration as time allows. We cannot guarantee a decision on March 10 for applications received after January 15.

My application was submitted on or before January 15, but some of my materials have not been submitted. Am I too late?

Occasionally recommendations, transcripts, or test scores may arrive after the application deadline. As long as the Gateway Application was submitted by January 15 and the late materials arrive no later than February 1, applicants should still expect to receive an on-time decision on March 10.

I want to apply, but it is after January 15. Now what? You may still apply to Choate as long as the Gateway Application is live.

Just missed the deadline? If all materials are received by February 1, we will make every effort to render a decision by March 10. Applications received after that time will receive consideration as time allows.

Applying in the spring? Late applications may be submitted through the spring; however, applicants should be aware that it is unlikely that applications received after March 10 will be offered admission.

Applying in the summer? Please be aware that after June 15, our common application, Gateway to Prep Schools, will no longer accept applications for the coming Fall cycle. Therefore, please email admission@choate.edu to request our application materials if you are applying after June 15.

For Financial Aid Applicants

An overview of the financial aid application process can be found on the Tuition and Financial Aid page. Please note, additional questions are answered on the Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ page.

How do I apply for financial aid?

How is financial aid eligibility determined?

A family's eligibility for financial assistance is determined through careful and thorough analysis of the information provided on the Clarity Application coupled with information provided from a copy of a family's federal tax returns. Clarity and Choate's financial aid methodology will provide Choate with a dollar figure of a family's discretionary income derived from our review. Choate will then consider a portion of a family's discretionary income to be available for private education tuition and related fees.

Does applying for aid affect my chances for admission?

What are the financial aid application deadlines?

If our child is offered admission with a financial aid grant in year one, can we expect to receive a similar grant in future years?

Families of currently-enrolled Choate students must go through the financial aid application process each year and submit paperwork just as they do during the initial process. Given that a family's financial picture remains relatively the same from year to year, a family can expect to have a similar financial outlay tuition and related fees each year. The Financial Aid Office will perform a full analysis each year to determine eligibility for continued assistance.

We are currently not planning on applying for financial aid, yet this could change if our financial situation changes. What do you recommend we do?

If you are currently not in need of financial aid and you do not foresee this need, you should not apply for it, but you will not be eligible for any future grants unless there is a materially adverse change to your circumstances, such as a job loss or an additional child entering a tuition charging school. If a change in your family’s financial circumstances occurs at any time within the admission process or financial aid cycle resulting in a need to apply for financial assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office immediately.

Does Choate offer assistance for costs beyond tuition and related fees?

Yes. We will take into account the total cost of attending Choate when determining a financial aid grant. This total cost typically includes books and academic supplies, travel to and from campus, laundry (for boarding students) and other costs related to a student's Choate experience.

All students, regardless of whether they receive financial aid, are eligible to apply for support from The Beyond the Classroom Fund. The purpose of this fund is to support a student’s full participation in the Choate experience.

To ease the financial burden of a student's participation in distinct, valuable opportunities that are associated with, and enhance, the student's academic, athletic and extracurricular involvements, a student may apply to this fund to cover non-tuition associated costs.
At the discretion of the Dean of Students, the fund may also be used to provide financial support to a student facing emergency circumstances.

Does my family qualify for a fee waiver?

If my child is offered admission with a financial aid grant, will the school meet 100% of our demonstrated financial need?

How do families who live outside of the United States (international families) apply for Financial Aid?

Families who live outside of the United States and who do not file a United States income tax return (Form 1040) are asked to complete the Clarity Application and to do so by using the United States dollar equivalent. Families will also be asked to complete an International Student Financial Aid Profile and a copy of their most recent federal income tax return, an official signed statement from an employer that details annual income, or wage statements.