<p>So the theme seems to be that frat and sorority members are the ones dressing up. So the schools with high greek participation (like W&L) have more well-dressed students at their games. It really shouldn't be a big factor in making a decision on schools - but I know this tradition would really bother casual northerners - including my son. It's one indicator of social fit.</p>
<p>Hey everyone, </p>
<p>I was asked to chime in from a parent on the forum since I am one of the only South Jersey girls at Hendrix College....a college located in the heart of good "ol" Conway Arkansas! I am a returning sophomore and I would have to say that I love my experience in the south. People definitely can tell I am a yankee by just overhearing some of my conversation from a far, but I really don't think that I had that hard of a time adjusting. The school itself is Methodist, but I haven't really experienced that "bible toting" so to speak...sure I have met a few really religious baptist, where in Jersey that isn't as common (up north you have more orthodox jewish people and even catholics), but I have not been preached to or experienced all of my friends making a mass exodist to church on a Sunday morning. </p>
<p>Sure football is popular, but mostly college ball because AR doesn't have a state team and the other reason is not all of the public schools have as much money as maybe a public school in South NJ. For that reason, a lot of the time, some schools in really really small towns can only afford one major sports program, and its football. With my experience at a small liberal arts college which doesnt even have a football team (here basketball and soccer are the most popular), I find that football is no more popular here then watching the Philadelphia Eagles is back home.</p>
<p>As far as all of those sterotypes somebody listed about what they wear....maybe you are referring to a university like Ol Miss where girls wear little Sunday Dresses and guys wear formal type golfing outfits to homecoming games as a tradition? I have found the style here to be exactly like that up north. Mostly abercrombie/j-crew, but also (maybe Hendrix is different then most?) there are a lot of hippies and girls that wear "vintage-esque" type clothes. I have seen a lot more camo type hats and hunting apparel (like remington) down here, but that is obviously because people here have gone to hunting camps with their families, etc. Overall, my girlfriends and I really wear the exact type stuff. The only thing that I have found to be a little different is the way the girls "poof" their hair in the back, which I personally think is really cute haha.</p>
<p>I have had my experiences realizing they are a lot more friendly, that strangers will say hi, that people do leave their doors unlocked, etc. but that is nothing major to be worrying about when coming to a southern college from up north. Personally I think that it makes the experience enjoyable.</p>
<p>The only problem I have had really is that I am a very outgoing, forward person and sometimes it is not the norm for a girl to be so "loud" for lack of a better word. It has been a little tough to get with guys down here, even though they claim the accent is "hot"..I guess its a little intimidating for them to date a Jersey girl who's last name is more Italian then they ever imagined Soprano to be lol. Then again, my entire family hails from South Philly, so maybe I am more of an extreme then the usual case.</p>
<p>The food is different but very good. I do miss northern food but I have cooked for some girls down here, and we love talking about differences between us.</p>
<p>Our school doesn't have frats or sororities, and in fact this week at Hendrix is our annual "No Greek Week" celebration, where we have a week of competitions and at the end a campus wide "FOAM" party haha</p>
<p>I have heard about Frats and Sororities at U of A and UCA, and personally they sound a lot more nice/sane about the initiation aspect then what I have heard about some northern schools. As far as northern people trying to join, I wouldn't have a say in that since I don't really know. I do know that there is usually one egg in every bunch of southern people I have met that have some what of a complex about being southern, and seem to think that every yankee is out to bash their country loving lifestyle and thick southern accents. That is something someone will experience obviously if they have never been North of the Mason Dixon line, let alone never been more north then Georgia. Its just the way it is sometimes, so I dont take it personally.</p>
<p>I have had a great experience here. I have been to several southern cities since attending Hendrix, made really close friends, and been to some really awesome parties and events. Sure the "yall" thing gets on my nerves sometimes, but its not different then up north saying "Yous Guys" (which I tend to say and get joked with a lot of the time for)</p>
<p>I would just say you have to be open if you want to come down here. They are more then willing to love you if you are willing to embrace them and let them show you "what being southern is all about" This experience has really opened up my eyes to a lot of things, and even if you never thought of going south (I never dreamed of attending a school in ARKANSAS!) then think about it now. I think the culture "shock" is good, and on top of it...that sweet tea and corn bread is pretty convincing too! </p>
<p>I went home and asked my mom for biscuits and gravy for breakfast.</p>
<p>Yea she wasn't too pleased.....lol</p>
<p>SO GO SOUTH! :)</p>
<p>Hi Valuable!!!! I remember your saga from last year. I'm glad to hear you have made a place for yourself at Hendrix, it sounds like you are really enjoying it. Good to hear from you.</p>
<p>OK someone has to explain what Rainbows are to me.
Spoke to S after Sat nights Gamecock game. He said everyone was wearing school colors.Not too dressed up a crowd.Had a great time despite the loss.</p>
<p>Rainbows are a brand of flipflops.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rainbowsandals.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.rainbowsandals.com</a></p>
<p>Rainbows are a brand of flip flops. My D got some in 5 points -but they sell them everywhere.</p>
<p>Rainbow is a brand name of flip-flops. They are expensive considering that they are flip-flops but kids here wear them all the time sometimes right through the winter with jeans and sweatshirts. My S's are leather and he has worn them for 2 years so we've gotten our money's worth out of them.</p>
<p>I was wondering about the Rainbows, too. But I am really surprised to find out that there are brands of flip flops? Aren't they those cheap sandals you buy in the drugstore?</p>
<p>Also - My daughter ( same school as Cathymees son) was at the same game in a dress. LOL I guess anything goes, but she was with her sorority so that must have been the requisite dress code. I can't imagine sitting in stadium in a dress , but I guess it's all part of the experience.
And despite the fact that my daughter had about 15 pairs of flip flops with her - the Rainbows were a must purchase. At least they can wear them year round down there!!</p>
<p>Don't I wish Garland - the Rainbows are more like $40 and up. LOL Apparently they come with a guarantee ?? IDK
They won't be singing Buffet songs about broken flip flops LOL</p>
<p>I think my daughter took about the same number of flip flops with her as well (and at least 20 sundresses, formals, and cocktail dresses).</p>
<p>This thread is full of misinformed posts.</p>
<p>Southern schools don't have formal attire, except for maybe some of the private schools. And in that case their attire is like any other private school's in the nation. Most people wear shirts with jeans or shorts. We don't address our profs by "sir" or "m'am" we say professor so and so. I'd say the only real differences are the language (slang, pronunciations), the climate, the traditions (whether it be cultural or collegiate), and that you may have more hispanics/african americans in your paticular area.</p>
<p>I find this thread to be moronic. If you visited the campus while school was in session, liked it, then your son should be fine. I wouldn't be scared of attending any school in the north, why should you or your son be scared of a school in the south? People are different, sometimes they get made fun of for that sometimes they don't, that's life. But regardless of where you son attends school he is always going to have something different about him just like everyone else.</p>
<p>Wow, Motherdear--this goes to show how "fit" really is important. My D went off to Wesleyan with a couple pairs of cargo pants, a bunch of t-shirts, and her Converse all-stars. I don't think she would've fit in so well at W & L!</p>
<p>And, PA Mom, 40 dollar flip-flops????? My H has had the same 2 dollar ones for the last ten years. Boy, are we out of it....</p>
<p>gstein:
You took the words right out of my mouth.</p>
<p>To the OP: Folks at schools you visited never really answered your question before, because they were probably too dumbfounded by it to know what to say. I'm sure they had no idea you were serious, and so they just ignored the question.</p>
<p>I honestly think if your son has a serious concern about the south (and it isn't just you), he's probably much better off staying in New England.</p>
<p>this thread explains a lot. This was the first year I'd begun to notice more and more kids wearing flip flops out of doors while it was still freezing out (I live in NYC.) They must have been rainbows. At forty bucks a pair, I'd wear them all year round, too -- inside my timberlands.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
I think the dress issue varies by southern school. I understand that they DID dress up at UVA football games in the past, but now, must students were orange tshirts.
[/QUOTE]
I actually just asked one of my student workers about this, since I've seen plenty of students dress up for games, but plenty in orange shirts.</p>
<p>He said that back when our football team was quite bad, games were social events...students would dress up and take a picnic to the grass hill on the side of the our stadium for the game. Some students still do it now and then to carry the tradition. He said that 2/3-3/4 of the crowd is in the "sea of orange" these days, but people dress up now and then just to say they did it.</p>
<p>Anyway, I liked reading Valuable's comments. Her comment about food made me chuckle. I still haven't found a really great cannoli down here. :)</p>
<p>MKM - W&L may be a bit unique in the dress code for football games - but yup they sure do wear the sundresses and shirts/ties - and not just the greeks - students and parents as well LOL</p>
<p>JeepMOM, I've never been to a W&L game, could only speak to Wake and Carolina. There is one frat. at Wake that (at least at one game I was at) all wore tuxes :). But the majority of the rest of students were in school T's and shorts or jeans.</p>
<p>TONE - have 2 kiddos who both went south from New England - to 2 different states - both outgoing and wanted new and different environments from home - both did great - one at VA LAC - one at NC large University - 2 completely different experiences - both very positive - both came home with a bit of ya'll - both totally enjoyed the different experiences.</p>
<p>Alot of southern schools have many many kiddos from the north - personally I would not have a worry in the world sending a kiddo south - as long as they have a good attitude about being far from home in a different place - and with some different mores - it is worth the experience.</p>
<p>MKM it is a new and different experience for sure LOL....... cow bells as well :D - and the 'tail-gaiting....... alot more formal than I had a clue of LOL....... under tents - on the lawn of the old ruins - quite a site with everyone dressed up - then off to the football game</p>