Summer Programs FAQ

In addition, there is a non-refundable, $100 application fee.

To participate in Choate Summer Programs Online, students need an internet connection and a device that supports live video and audio communications. The minimum requirement for a device is a computer, iPad, or Chromebook equipped with a web camera as well as speakers and microphone/headphone.

We provide access to the following programs: Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, and Canvas.

Some courses may have more specific technical requirements and will need additional applications* provided by Choate, as detailed in the relevant course descriptions.

It is important for students to have reliable internet access and to be mindful of data charges if planning to participate via devices that are not on Wi-Fi.

*Immersion Geometry - An iPad with Notability is required.

Yes! Our Summer Programs Online offer real-time, synchronous courses. You'll have the opportunity to meet students from around the world and learn from teachers devoted to enhancing your education. In addition, our Student Activities Directors host a number of fun online events for students throughout the summer, and our Dean of Students sponsors several interactive opportunities for students and families.

The Choate Summer Programs Office is glad to help.

Contact us at choatesummer@choate.edu or (203) 697-2365.

Application Portal

Once an application is filled out and submitted, required documents can be uploaded to the student’s portal at any time.

In the Application portal, students can track the status of their application and see what application materials are still outstanding. Application files will be reviewed once the application is complete.

Application Fee

The non-refundable $100 application fee is the cost associated with the comprehensive process of evaluating application materials and making admission decisions.

Transcripts

School transcripts must show the applicant’s final grades from the previous academic year (if applicable), along with this year’s courses and all available grades. If the transcript is written in a language other than English, it should be translated and signed by a school official, then uploaded as part of the school recommendation form.

Letters of Recommendation

The School Recommendation form should be filled out by a school guidance counselor, registrar, or another school official. The Teacher Recommendation form should be filled out by an academic classroom teacher of English, Math, Science, History, or World Languages. Some programs require a specific type of academic teacher (see the Application Checklist in the Application Portal for details). A Supplemental Recommendation is optional.

Personal Statement

All applicants must include a personal statement as part of the application or upload it in the Application Portal (including previous participants, current Choate students, and applicants for the academic year). This year’s prompt is:

On your own, write a 250-350-word essay in English that will help us know you better. Be sure to answer at least two of the following questions in your essay:

• What two or three things are most important for us to know about you as we review your application?
• What opportunities have you had working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings?
• In what ways do you hope to contribute to and benefit from being part of our Choate Summer Programs community?
• How has the pandemic impacted your education?

Graded Essays

If noted on the Application Checklist in the Application Portal, applicants should upload an essay written for school, preferably for an English, History, or Humanities class, that has been graded by their teacher and includes the teacher’s comments or an attached grading rubric.

Current Choate Academic Year Students

Choate students applying for Summer Programs are only required to submit an application and include a Personal Statement as part of the application or upload it in the Application Portal. If also applying for Financial Aid, the Summer Programs Financial Aid application and supporting IRS documentation need to be uploaded to the Application Portal as well.

Choate Academic Year Applicants
If the applicant has applied to Choate for the academic year, please note that we can obtain the required transcript and recommendation documents from the Admission Office. However, a Personal Statement still needs to be included as part of the application or uploaded to the Application Portal and, if applicable, both the Summer Programs Financial Aid application and supporting IRS documentation.

Please be sure to complete the Summer Programs Financial Aid application and upload IRS documentation by February 12 , 2021.

Current Choate students who receive aid during the academic year and academic year applicants who have applied for financial aid with the Choate Admission Office still need to complete the Summer Programs Financial Aid application and upload supporting IRS documentation. This information is not shared between the two offices.

TOEFL & Duolingo Scores

English Language Proficiency Scores:  TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, Duolingo

For applicants who attend schools where English is not the primary language of instruction or for whom English is not their first language, the TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, or Duolingo Test in English is recommended for English Language Learner (ELL) courses and required for all other courses and programs.

For everything other than ELL, a TOEFL score of 80 or above, Duolingo score of 105 or above, or TOEFL Junior score within Level 5 is required.

If an applicant does not have a TOEFL or Duolingo score but would still like to be considered for admission, our Directors will review transcripts and supporting documents and make a recommendation on which program and course placement would be most appropriate. A Graded Essay written in English for school can be submitted to help supplement the information on which a decision will be made. 

TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, and Duolingo scores can be uploaded through the Application Portal.

Previous Choate Summer Programs attendees are welcome to upload new TOEFL, TOEFL Jr, or Duolingo scores as part of their application, but are not required to.

Admission Decisions

Once an applicant's file is complete, we will review the file and provide a decision in the Application Portal. Accepted students will receive a course registration link within their acceptance letter. We admit on a rolling basis, so be sure to apply early as classes fill up quickly.

Financial Aid Decisions

Financial Aid decisions will be made soon after the February 12, 2021 aid deadline. Applicants whose application for admission and application for financial aid are both complete (with all required materials uploaded) will be notified of their decision in the Application Portal. Accepted students will receive a course registration link within their acceptance letter.

Payments and Registering for Classes/Courses

Please note that a signed Enrollment Agreement, Statement of Expectations, and Tuition payments for Choate Summer Programs must be fulfilled at the time of course registration. Enrollment in classes is on a rolling basis and classes fill up quickly.

Tuition Refunds

Upon registering for classes, students and families will be prompted to read and sign an Enrollment Agreement. If an enrolled student wishes to withdraw from our program or any individual course, 50% of the tuition payment(s) will be refunded if the request is made prior to June 15, 2021. Please save and refer to the 2021 Enrollment Agreement in the Course Registration Form for details regarding the refund policy.

Middle School courses are for students who will have completed the U.S. equivalent of grades 6 or 7 prior to the start of Summer Programs.

High School courses are for students who will have completed the U.S. equivalent of grades 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 prior to the start of Summer Programs.

Academic Bridge Courses are a diverse group of classes intended to secure student knowledge in specific subjects from their past year of learning. These courses aim to ensure students feel prepared for the 2021-2022 school year. Classes are available to middle school and high school students.

Most of our 3-week courses and programs repeat from Session I to Session II, so students usually enroll in their chosen course or program for one of the two sessions.

There are some 3-week courses that do not repeat and are unique to the session they are offered in. (For example, SSAT Extension is only offered in Session II.)

The average class size is 8.

Courses and Programs fill as students enroll. The number of seats remaining in each course or program is indicated on the Course Enrollment Form which admitted students use when registering for classes.

We also do our best to post information when a course or program is full by updating the Course Offerings page.

Nearly all of our courses and programs use readily available online materials, or materials shared by teachers, and do not require the purchase of books or supplies.

There are a small number of courses that require advance purchase of particular materials or texts*, and some math and science courses require the use of a scientific calculator.  Whenever possible, special requirements are noted in the course description.

Additionally, students are notified before the start of Summer Programs if there is anything they need to order for the course (s) they are enrolled in.

*Courses that typically require advance purchase of certain materials or texts include Painting, Drawing, Language through the Arts, Invention and Design Lab, and Exploring Ethical Dilemmas.

 An iPad with Notability is required for Immersion Geometry.

A computer with a minimum of 8GB of RAM is required for 3D Animation.

All Choate Summer Program courses are scheduled to meet synchronously 5 days a week. The following expectations are important to keep in mind regarding synchronous classes and asynchronous assignments.

In preparation for synchronous classes, students will be assigned asynchronous work (homework being a part of it) which they are expected to have completed and submitted by class time.

Middle School Programs

In general, the guideline for coursework for middle school courses is 30 minutes per night for 1-hour classes (3 weeks/6 weeks) and 60 minutes per night for 2-hour classes (3 weeks/6 weeks).

High School Programs

In general, the guideline for coursework for high school courses is 40 minutes per night for 1-hour classes (3 weeks/6 weeks) and 80 minutes per night for 2-hour classes (3 weeks/6 weeks).

For students enrolled in Immersion Geometry, (an intensive course that meets 4 hours a day), the guideline for course work is 120-150 minutes per night.

Matriculating and current Choate students who sign up for courses that are eligible for Choate diploma credit or which have the potential to satisfy academic year prerequisites may be assigned additional work. This extra requirement ensures that any course taken for the purpose of credit or placement closely reflects the academic year version of these courses.

Students are required to attend all classes and meet other commitments such as individual appointments with teachers or members of the Summer Programs Office.

Teachers are asked to report all absences and tardies, and the Deans Office keeps track of class attendance.

Though students are not required to participate in Student Activities and Community Building events, they are encouraged to take good advantage of the full array of fun and informative optional programming provided each summer.

H = Honors
HP = High Pass
P = Pass
LP = Low Pass
F = Fail

Note: Students in Immersion Geometry receive a traditional letter grade which will be included on the Summer Transcript for current and matriculating Choate students.

Students who are enrolled only in Session I courses and programs will receive reports the week of July 26, 2021.

Students who are enrolled in either 6-week courses and programs or both Session I and Session II  3-week courses and programs  will receive reports during the week of August 16, 2021.

Choate Summer Programs honors students exhibiting exemplary integrity, respect, and compassion through the awarding of a Citizenship Award.

The award honors students who foster social relationships and a love of learning which inspire peers and teachers, and whose contributions serve as a model for others while enriching the experience of everyone involved with Choate Summer Programs.

Once a student is accepted, parents will be notified of a password to access the Summer Parent Portal on our website. This is where you can find important additional information about our program, including virtual events, dates to remember, and program highlights.

Once a student is enrolled and has been assigned a Choate Summer email account, the student will have access to the Summer Student Portal which contains the Student Handbook, virtual events, virtual activities, dates to remember, school resources, and program highlights.