<p>This may not be the place to post this question – if not, maybe someone can redirect me.
I’m heading off for some college tours with two daughters, a high school sophomore and junior. The college prospect wants to wear jeans on the visits because no interviews are scheduled, only campus tours, info sessions, FA meetings (and she may audit some classes). This is more of an issue for her because her HS has a dress code, and this being winter break, she wants to wear the beloved jeans that are usually restricted for weekends. I think it’s not a good idea. Am i being neurotic or is it better to be safe and assume that someone may notice and remember her?</p>
<p>good point, thanks!</p>
<p>You are being neurotic (take it from a parent who took EACH of two daughters on about 20 college tours, including class visits, interviews for some, etc.) The only taboo I would say is wearing a t-shirt or sweatshirt from a different college. Believe me, NO ONE is going to know her name (or your name) from a visit/tour. Even if she was interviewing, at most colleges jeans would be fine with a sweater or “tidy” shirt of some kind. Comfy shoes for walking are absolutely necessary, too.</p>
<p>I’ve gone on many college tours. I have seen almost every kid in jeans and actually many of the parents too. In all weather at all different times of the year. It’s a time to be comfortable and not feel the need to dress up for any reason. Yes, comfortable shoes (or boots) a must.</p>
<p>Yup, you are being neurotic! Jeans are just fine, though I did ask my daughter not to wear the ones full of holes. She usually wore a casual sweater on top and a fleece jacket during the colder tours, shorts (though not booty) and a top with sleeves during warmer weather.</p>
<p>Good walking shoes are a requirement. I usually wore something similar, though I probably was not quite as casual. Might be better to blend in and be noticed for who you are, not for what you had on.</p>
<p>Yeah, I insisted that my dear son not wear rags and his tour guide showed up in running clothes. Oh well.</p>
<p>My favorite tour guide attire was the “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” t-shirt one guide wore. :)</p>
<p>My daughter and I both wore jeans and sneakers for cold weather tours and shorts and flip flops for warm weather tours and we fit in fine.</p>
<p>Unless the college has a dress code, the primary concern is that the clothing and shoes should be comfortable for walking around in, indoors or outdoors (consider weather conditions).</p>
<p>Here is a web page from a state university. Notice that they do not seem to expect especially formal dress or hair styles.
[url=<a href=“http://info.sjsu.edu/static/admission/impaction.html]Info.sjsu.edu[/url”>http://info.sjsu.edu/static/admission/impaction.html]Info.sjsu.edu[/url</a>]
(note, if you are curious, it also links to the lists of the admission thresholds)</p>
<p>A veteran of more than 30 college tours over the last few years, I can say (a) yes, you are being neurotic if there is no interview scheduled, and (b) the families that stand out are the one where both father and son are wearing blazers and ties.</p>
<p>I agree–veteran of over 30 college visits as well all across the country-even the admissions people will tell you, dress comfortably and for the weather. One tour we were on, close to 100 degrees that day, one kid was in khakis and a button up shirt. He was NOT happy. No interviews, just the standard tour. Like intparent, we did not allow the kids to wear clothing that had another college’s name on them though. I did expect the kids to look presentable, clean clothing that didn’t look like they slept in them.</p>
<p>The dress comfortably goes for parents as well—a LOT of Mom’s show up in 6" heals, not a good idea.</p>
<p>It probably goes without saying, but if the school has a strict modesty based dress code, young women should probably follow it on visits.</p>
<p>I, too, am a veteran also with over 30 tours split between 3 kids…the most uncomfortable kids and parents are the ones that are overdressed. I felt the most sorry for one young man who had a suite, tie and leather soled shoes one fall day. He looked so miserable i wanted to hug him and tell him it was OK. I don’t know what “weekend jeans” are but as long as she’s not hanging out of them in any inappropriate manner, they are probably just fine.</p>
<p>I vote for jeans or whatever you’re comfortable in. Also wear nice comfy shoes since you will be doing a lot of walking. At the college that my D attends, they all dress extremely casual. In fact, some of them will roll out of bed and go right to class without getting changed.</p>
<p>As someone who conducts campus tours, I neither (a) care what you’re wearing, or (b) know or care who you are. There’s no way that what you’re wearing is going to be linked to your application. </p>
<p>Most people turn up in jeans, hoodies, trainers and similar casual things. The ones who stick out and look a bit odd are those who turn up in school uniform, or who wear a suit.</p>
<p>Most of our tours were in the summer, and I made D wear “nice” shorts rather than Nike shorts with t-shirt (the “uniform” down here.) D was very attuned to what the other kids on the tour were wearing…whether they could be her clone or whether they dressed very differently. Because she wanted to be among students who were different from her, she didn’t like the tours populated by her clones (but another student may be comforted by the same thing.)</p>
<p>^^yup missypie. My oldest son started out looking for kids “not like him” and ended up choosing a school with kids “just like him” so the kids do use this as a filter, but in general the kids are very attuned to not so much what other tour kids were wearing but definitely attuned to what the kids they encountered on campus were wearing. The son I was with when we encountered the suit and tie kid felt more sorry for the kid than anything else because my son simply assumed the kids parents had dressed him. As a parent I don’t want to “influence” that aspect by telling the kids what to wear. This is one case where they need to be instinctual and comfortable with themselves.</p>
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<p>Did you hear the sound of rotor blades whirling? :)</p>