<p>Hey! I was wondering if anyone knew anything about having colorful hair at top boarding schools - Andover actually has a photo of a girl with pink hair on their website, but I haven't been able to find much out about the other schools. I was guessing especially schools with stricter dress codes like Deerfield might have stricter rules about this. Thoughts?</p>
<p>…tentative bump?</p>
<p>I’m not saying you should put up a front by dying your hair brown, but think about it. There is a slight chance that your interviewer, whether it be real life or Skype, sees your pink hair and instantly labels you a stereotype. This is not to make you nervous, but stereotypes and judgements are formed from the minute the admissions looks at you. You probably don’t want to be rejected because you happened to get an old-fashioned stickler who instantly passed judgement on you. But if you believe your personality will shine through your exterior, do what you think.</p>
<p>OTOH, you might get a diversity “hook”… I know of at least one Exonian who dyed his or her hair cherry red for a while, but that was after admissions. Still, there was no problem from the school; this student otherwise complied with the dress code. And my dd has a friend at her school who now has black hair with purple streaks. But neither of these kids had unusually colored hair during the app. process.</p>
<p>If your hair causes you to be self-conscious in an interview, then that’s something to think about. On the one hand, you want a school that’s a good fit. OTOH, you don’t want your hair to do the talking for you… save it for March 11.</p>
<p>I have completely mundane hair right now, I was just wondering about the rules / general feelings after one was accepted. But thank you!</p>
<p>Oh, once you’re there, have at it! Unless you end up somewhere where rules forbid it.</p>
<p>suggest you go to the schools’ website and see if the student handbook is online-- look for the section regarding student dress code & grooming</p>