violinlvr09

what should we wear on the first day of orientation?
Should we wear comfortable clothes because we will be walking around or should we dress up and look nice because we are going to meeting-type things?


Sorry, this seems superficial. I just didn't want to show up in sneakers and shorts and see everyone else in formal wear.

derf956

The packet of info I got in the mail today says to be pretty informal that day since it's move in day as well.

starstruckk

Yeah, they don't expect you to wear formal attire while lugging crates into your dorm.

confidentialcoll

dressy or casual, I'd go with messy so casual,

but bring dressy, cuz there's days when you can't be messy.

undisclosed

Was there really? I dont recall taking my good clothes out until mid September and even that was only for an internship interview.

Batllo

NY chic summery

Denzera

expect the guys to be wearing shorts and a tshirt - if you're lucky.

violinlvr09

haha what do you mean "if you're lucky?"

also, what is the general feeling of orientation? do you meet a lot of people?

metsfan

easiest thing is to just wear polos, they're dressy enough for just about anything, but also casual enough that you can wear them anywhere. I beleive there's a dance or something towards the end of orientation week, so bring dressy for that and for going out in the city and interviews in general, but for just about everything during O-Week, polos are where it's at.

Denzera

Orientation week was so hectic and jam-packed with events that I was lucky I had time to wear a barrel.

kwu

First impressions are everything. Exercise common sense.

confidentialcoll

dressy clothes are needed at random points during the year, not necessarily during orientation.

don't worry about first impressions, this isn't high school, you'll only begin to make close friends weeks into college. Once in a blue moon you'll meet someone during orientation who'll stay a friend through college because of orientation but for such a person your clothes won't matter. If you are friends with people years into college, who you happened to meet at orientation, trust me, it's not because you guys met at orientation, or because you were wearing that trusty polo.

this is one time, when I'd say first impressions are not everything. A new student moving into a high school where s/he were new and everyone already knew each other, needs to be paranoid about first impressions. In college, after a few months, you have have no fcking clue who you met during orientation and who you met after.

Kindredkid

I have heard at orientations at other colleges that this is the time when all of the couples form. Is this true at Columbia?

undisclosed

Heh, not even a little.

And for the "dressed to impress" folks. Don't. Dress normal. It really doesn't matter; those who stand out are those that overdress....the Kansas girl thinking she's heading to a freakin Gossip Girl shooting or bowtie guy.

I do like the polo suggestion. My go-to is the rolled sleeved button shirt with a cool t-shirt underneath but go crazy.

Shraf

yes, a lot of them you won't speak to again, a bunch you'll acknowledge on campus but never hang out with and a handful (usually the ones on your floor) you will spend tons of time with

this was the case for me...ended up dating her through freshman year. i recommend you focus on making friends rather than coupling up...i felt like i missed out a bit on social events because i was preoccupied