<p>I was just wondering if most people wore casual attire when attending college tours and information sessions. Or do most people dress up a little? I ask because my friend be visiting Emory soon and she'd like to make a good impression.</p>
<p>I was shocked at how "dressed down" most people were. I would dress up a little because you never know who you might meet - my son met the head of admissions of Tufts while on a tour and had a 10 minutes unscheduled conversation. </p>
<p>for an interview, business attire would be appropriate.</p>
<p>For guys, I would say any shirt with buttons (ie polo, dress shirt) or a nice sweater and anything but jeans for pants.</p>
<p>If she wants to make a good impression, then nice pants, appropriate length skirt/dress, and comfortable shoes to take a walking tour. I have seen students walking into a college interview in running shorts, flip flops, and a t-shirt (all inappropriate). I have also seen students dressed very appropriately (suit and tie, dresses, skirt and nice blouse). Most schools stress dressing in a comfortable manner to be able to take a college walking tour.</p>
<p>I dont think it matters. As long as your not naked.</p>
<p>Just taking a tour/info session: dress can be casual</p>
<p>Being interviewed: totally different story--you are trying to impress somebody.</p>
<p>Depends on the type of school:</p>
<p>If u are going to a Big state school:
then it wont really matter what u were for the tours. I guarantee u, that the head of admissions wont pull u out of a group to talk to u. Theres just too many ppl visiting. the most that will happen when it comes to "you never know who u might meet" is some big shot from admissions giving a speech to the huge crowd of visitors. </p>
<p>If you are going to a private school:
You dont have to worry SO Much about dress code. Shirt (Long sleeve or polo), pants or descent looking shorts. dont wear pants with holes on them or stuff like that. That should be fine.
More than likely u wont have the admissions director or assistant director speak to you personally but it can happen. Also u might have a professor from a school/college ur interested in, speak to you, and im sure if u make good impression he might let the admissions office know of it.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter, unless its an interview. In which case, dress appropriately.</p>
<p>I wore jeans and a t-shirt at every college I toured and got rejected everywhere. Clearly that was the root cause.</p>
<p>I agree with the posters who said that it doesn't really matter unless you're having an interview, in which case you need to dress up a little...but there have been many posts on appropriate interview attire.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I wore jeans and a t-shirt at every college I toured and got rejected everywhere. Clearly that was the root cause.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads-up!</p>
<p>Sarcasm... Whooosh.</p>
<p>Floridastudent,</p>
<p>The vast majority of students you encounter at most college tours and info sessions will dress down. However, if you or your friend will be scheduling a visit to Emory (a school that admits to tracking "demonstrated interest"), you might want to plan additional meetings outside of their official tour/info session... and then dress accordingly for what you might schedule. </p>
<p>My suggestion would be to make contact with professor(s) affiliated with your academic interest(s); athletic coaches, if relevant; financial aid advisors; undergraduate academic advisors; et. al. Who knows, your initial contact with somebody, along with subsequent and sustained communications, might make the difference in your acceptance. More importantly, if you have questions related to a major, potential career interests, financial aid, or campus life, you can get answers directly from the best source. </p>
<p>At any rate, it couldn't hurt to plan for that contingency of possibly encountering somebody of influence. Perceptions and first impressions are never to be discounted entirely, let me assure you.</p>
<p>We found we were the best dressed people at every school we visited:
DD: Casual skirt, capris or bermudas and polo shirt (if it was very hot, a
NICE tank top (not a wife beater). At the one off campus interview she
had in the autumn, she wore corduroys and a cotton cable polo.
Mom: Khakis or a casual skirt and a polo shirt.
Dad: Khakis and a polo shirt. On one very hot day, a pair of khaki shorts
and a polo.</p>
<p>I do not recommend a micro mini or very short shorts, although I did see them on both Moms and daughters at several schools. Same with droopy waisted shorts on guys---they just looked like they didn't care. At one school we saw a Dad dressed in a t-shirt and shorts with paint all over both. Looked like he just came from a construction site.</p>
<p>No one is going to care at all what you wear as long as you wear SOMETHING, unless of course it's an interview.</p>
<p>Our tour group at Cornell had everyone in jeans/khakis and polos except for one kid in a suit and tie with an attitude to match.</p>
<p>Business casual=khakis and polo/collared shirt, deck shoes.</p>
<p>I always go with a pair of khakis/ nice jeans with a polo/collared shirt. I find it ridiculous to wear a suit for a campus tour.</p>
<p>Wow you guys talk as if these tour guides will remember each and every one of you and what you were wearing, and then give their opinions to the admissions people</p>
<p>I would think that someone in a suit/tie who sticks out in a casual crowd would be looked down upon by admissions</p>
<p>My son decided against business attire for interviews. He tends to be a bit formal in manner, and he felt suit, tie etc. would make him freeze. He did wear fairly nice shirtsv and slacks, but things he really liked and felt comfortable in. He wore jeans for all info. sessions and tours but always looked appropriate.</p>
<p>My daughter followed pretty much the same strategy. She found really nice clothes, i.e. business attire, conveyed the feeling of "trying too hard" and made her uncomfortable. Both got into first choice schools + many others.</p>