"Perhaps my case is the singular exception."
I am sure there are other cases similar to yours.
As a lay RC member who assisted in their vocations apostolate, I can assure you that for the vast majority of cases in which I pointed them toward young men who were potential priestly vocations, their recruitment tactics were coercive. The same in the middle and high school seminary. Perhaps I was part of the problem. However, I am now rectifying on solving that.
Personally, as someone who has assisted a few young men with their decision, I would be wary of anything other than the FSSP or ICKSP. The Novus Ordo seminaries, even the "conservative" ones do not provide the proper philosophical education nor formation that will be needed for priests in the next 50 years to combat the battles about to come.
Thank you for your concern. I share that concern about the Novus Ordo seminaries, and I have considered that myself when applying. I believe that the USCCB has instructions that mandate 2 years of philosophy prior to theology. In practice, I believe that it is only one year. Personally, I would like the stronger philosophical foundation.
And I hear ya all the way on the formation programs. But I think that some traditional seminarians might go a long way in contradicting the culture in seminaries. I am hopeful, and I think we have a good bishop here who has a reputation of transforming seminaries for the better.