Hi, sorry this is sort of a multi-faceted question. I’m interested in how easy or hard it is to “fit in” at Richmond. I’ve just accepted a spot here, and am so excited! However, I’ve heard that Richmond can be/is a very stereotypical “rich white” school, and that if you’re not dresses to the nines every day you won’t fit in. I tend to be a little more artsy with my dress (nothing crazy, just a little more colorful and fun), and I’m really worried after what I heard that I’ll be outcasted. I’m a pretty social person and right now I live in an extremely cliquey place and since I wasn’t born here, I’m stuck with some great but definitely weird and anti social friends. I’m worried the same thing will happen at Richmond. I just want some fairly normal and social friends who won’t judge how I dress! Is what I’ve heard really true, or no?
Edit: I’m not concerned with being popular or anything, like I said I’ve just been outcasted into a crowd I really don’t fit into for all of high school. I really want my college experience to be different, which is why I’m asking how easy it is to “fit in” with some relatively normal people.
Well, my two kids are not rich and struggled all through childhood to make a good friend circle. Eldest connected with her friends day, stayed close all through school and still communicate after graduation. Middle had to try out a few different groups before he found his people but a couple months he landed with the best friends he’s ever had in his life. Both pretty much wear clothes from Old Navy or JC Penny and it was/is never a thing.
Yes, there are a lot of kids running around in 200 dollar flip flops but most don’t care what anyone else is wearing… and plenty of kids who don’t dress like that on principle and /or budget. There are some obnoxious people, I’ve heard some stories of snobbery but they were the exception, not the rule.
Everyone finds their niche. Go to pre-orientation, which starts a few days earlier than orientation, where there is an opportunity to meet other students in smaller groups. Between, that, orientation, and other students you will meet in organizations and classes, you will discover your niche, and discover plenty of students just like you.
This may be an unpopular comment but if I were to pose your question and situation to my own teenagers they would respond, “If you don’t want weird and anti-social friends then don’t be weird and anti-social.” Yes, we live in a world where we are all free to be you and me but if you are looking to fit in, then fit in. Maybe pack the artsy, colorful, fun stuff away for a while? If you don’t care about fitting in then don’t worry about it. (please nobody go crazy over this perspective)
I will share that we have a family friend at U of Richmond and he said if he didn’t get a Greek bid he was transferring. It sounded as if he was looking for a social life and he felt that was the way to go.
So, if you are looking for you college experience to be different than high school, think about what you can do differently to make that happen. Fresh starts can be fun.
I’m appalled at the previous comment. College is a place where you absolutely should come into your own, be who you want to be, and find others who are doing the same. Those who are “fitting in” are often the ones who are too scared to be themselves. UR, like everywhere, has room for all kinds. My advice to you is absolutely don’t try and fit in - come to campus and be you, and you’ll find your people there.
My daughter is a Freshman. In her high school, she had a very small friend group, because she was 1- one of the top academic kids in school, and 2- extremely artsy. The intersection of brainiacs and theater geeks was about three kids. When she got to Richmond, she found a thriving community of kids just like her. Yes, she’s an upper middle class white girl, but not “rich” - she’s one if the poorer kids there. But she’s an artsy drama kid, and she fits right in.
"I’m interested in how easy or hard it is to “fit in” at Richmond. "
captain speedy the OP posted stated the above. The individual posed the question expressing a desire to “fit in.”
Agreed…college is the place you should come into your own but that was not the concern or desire of the OP.