I’ve read many threads where someone is looking to avoid a college that’s too preppy. Can someone explain what that means? When I think of preppy, I think of a style of clothing, people who are less likely to get tatoos and piercings or dye their hair different colors, maybe those who play sports, but what else am I missing? Also, when I think of preppy I think of coming from a wealthy suburb or old money town. I’m wondering are their aspects of a preppy personality that make them undesirable for some? I’m looking for a variety schools at the moment (for my child), and I tend to favor the ones that have a mix of students (artsy, sporty etc).
Just want to add: schools like Wake Forsest and Bucknell look interesting, but I heard they were preppy. If my child is pretty mainstream with a variety of interests how would she fare in a preppy environment and what are the downsides. She’s not a hippy or a preppy person, just a regular girl with intellectual interests and low brow interests such as a fascination with pop culture. She’s clean cut, but likes makeup.She likes opera and museums, but dreams of being in a sorority. She’s athletic, but hates organized team sports. She’s a girly girl, but likes outdoor adventure type of activities. So as you can see, when I read about preppy, artsy, hipster type schools I feel clueless.
It’s a little hard to pin down, but I think it has to do with whether the prevailing atmosphere adheres to certain mainstream conventions, or has certain assumptions. A preppy atmosphere can be a plus or a minus, depending on the kid. From your description, it sounds as if a more preppy environment would not be a negative for your daughter, whereas it might be for my kid – not because there’s anything wrong with preppier kids, but because for him, it would feel less like his tribe. Does that make sense?
@porcupine98 That’s sort of what I was thinking, even though I’m not sure what a very preppy atomosphere entails. It’s tricky because my daughter seems to gravitate towards kids who are down to earth in personality, but who also like fashion and pop culture. It just seems that many colleges have a distinct vibe, and it’s hard to know what might be the best fit, if your child isn’t any one thing. She’s artsy, but most of her friends aren’t. Based on what you’re saying a mainstream type of kid would probably be okay with a preppy school. I’m good with that as long as the kids were down to earth and not snobby.
@citymama9 Your definition of preppy in your original post aligns with my definition, for what it’s worth.
Preppy was originally term for someone who went to or looked like they went to a private preparatory school. In Ohio Miami university was considered a “preppy” school in my day. I could never confirm it since I came from a mid sized town that did not have prep schools. There were a lot of khakis and button downs and even some sweaters around the neck (1978 here). Miami only about 5-6 years prior had quit requiring boys to wear jackets to dinner. I am not sure what preppy would mean today?
" I am not sure what preppy would mean today?"
Having an ear gauge with the Brooks Brothers logo on it?
However, unless a logo is discreet, it would not be Preppy, irrespective of context.
To add a little perspective, the size and location of the college can have a big impact on how it feels. By that I mean, a relatively smaller student environment can have a stronger vibe than say a campus of 15,000 students. And its relationship to outside influences (a city, other colleges) can affect that vibe as well. For example, the atmosphere of an isolated 3,000-student artsy/preppy/outdoorsy/whatever school will be more pronounced than at a 15,000-student artsy/preppy/outdoorsy/whatever school next to a major city. More diverse influences. When my older D was looking at colleges, she was concerned about the fact that she was not a big partier. She worried about Cornell’s seeming (to her) to focus on drinking parties. I told her that if Cornell were 2,000 students, that would have a big impact on her and likely wouldn’t be a good fit, but because it enrolls 14,000 students (I think), I was sure she could find a lot of non-drinkers. For the record, I graduated from Bucknell (eons ago) and due to its location and size, it has a distinct personality. (Although I don’t know what that personality is these days.) The question for your D will be of course to decide if that personality suits her.
Being preppy doesn’t mean you can’t be down to earth as well, just as being artsy doesn’t automatically make you less snobby. Both have more to do with style and interests vs personality traits.
Very helpful!!! Keep the responses coming! Thanks all.
I think Southern preppy also has the connotation of jackets and ties and sundresses to football games. Of course, that wouldn’t include everyone, but mean the culture is one of people who care about looking good in a fairly prescribed way, which might not appeal to all. I know my kids would hate that kind of atmosphere – they are all about sweat pants and comfort – but others might find that a positive. I also think it is associated with a more conservative political mindset? Not sure about that one, but that is the impression I get from some.
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@moooop ???
When I was in high school and college, we defined preppy as someone who went to prep school, shopped from the LL Bean catalog (but wore clothes that never looked new), probably knew how to sail, quite possibly played lacrosse, field hockey, golf or squash, wore a certain style of horn-rim glasses, probably belonged to a country club or yacht club, and quite possibly had a ridiculous nickname like Muffin or Bucky. Now, I think the term is more about a style – more clean-cut (Vineyard Vines) but still upscale and a bit jock-y. The kids I know who have gone to Bucknell, btw, were smart, clean-cut, pleasant kids (public and prep school students) who were friendly. None super-artsy or goth, – more conformist. Unless your DD is aggressively individual, there’s no reason to think that she’d be unhappy there if she enjoys the vibe when she visits.
Strong emphasis on personal appearance and fashion trends, predominately upper-middle class, usually somewhat more conservative (but it’s still a college campus, so really more centrist), often lacking in diversity, strong emphasis on Greek life, and usually fairly athletic.
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the culture is one of people who care about looking good in a fairly prescribed way
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I think that’s a big part of it. It’s not that it’s awful, it’s just that if it’s not one’s thing, it’s pretty easy to feel “other” in an environment that is overwhelmingly preppy. But if that’s already close to your daughter’s personal style and comfortable for her, she shouldn’t feel “other,” thus it should not a problem for her.
It’s sort of a matter of prevailing assumptions and expectations. I’m hoping my kid will land in a place that is diverse in all ways – ethnically, economically, and in terms of prevailing style. He tends non-preppy, but I don’t think he’d be happy in a sea of vegan man buns either.
I think of preppy people as people, who often identify as white, and are concerned with maintaining status within in an upper class community. Their style of dress is a way of signally that they are part of that community and are prepared to conform to norms.
Seemingly more superficial. Wearing ugly clothes from expensive brands as a status symbol. Overwhelming Greek presence.
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Preppy does not mean being superficial.I think it has to do more with the environment you grew up in.I think just upper class,dressing in classic clothes not try hards who wear gross Vineyard vines clothes and just having a more conservative mindset.We are still really open minded and accepting.For example my parents loathe tattoos and think piercings are horrible but they treat those people just like they would anyone.My parents are divorced and my dad dated someone who had tattoos.There is a girl in one of my classes who dresses very eccentrically,doesn’t shave her legs which is very apparent and wears Bernie Sanders pins but nobody cares what she does.
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