<p>My son is definitely an underrepresented minority on the college scene - he hates flip flops - just lives in sneakers and the occasional dress shoes when necessary.</p>
<p>JeepMOm, LOL, I'm picturing a scene out of "Gone with the Wind"! </p>
<p>Okay, here's where I'll admit to a secret---my daughter did debutante ball! Couldn't believe she wanted to do it as she was rarely out of barn clothes and I think owned one dress! But she wanted to, so we supported her----talk about a new and different experience! She did learn to write very nice thank you notes and how to curtsey.;)</p>
<p>septembermom - I sent you a private message re: our experiences. For the list I would like to summarize by noting that it isn't only about how your child will "fit in" at the school (Southern or Northern). Undoubtedly, most students will make friends and adapt to their new environment over time, as my son did. But, parents should think a good bit about the influences the new environment will have on the student. The culture, the traditions, the predominant beliefs and activities, etc that will surround your child for the next four years will be more important than the type of clothes the majority of students wear. How much will your child be influenced by the beliefs, traditions, culture of his new environment and friends or how much will your child bend and adapt to predominant views and activities to be part of the school scene? Don't just check out the school, check out the community the school exists within, especially state schools that have low admittance rates for out of state students. If the vast majority is conservative, religious, Greek, for example, a newly transplanted student may find it hard to avoid these influences.</p>
<p>ROFL MKM - I can see it now lol.............. I admit to the fact that my first W&L football game - I had to go out and find a new outfit ......... after we got there - now that was a feat in of itself LOL. And the other kiddo - goes to the total opposite type of school - big Univ - with all the REAL kind of 'tail-gaiting' - pong table and all LOL - big school spirit and all the craziness that goes with it - dress code!!! there isn't one LOL</p>
<p>Jeepmom,
I'm already looking hard for the perfect Parents' Weekend outfit! Already have the pearls and pumps of course.</p>
<p>OO Motherdear - I forgot my pearls LOL - and I have to admit that I did wear my berks LOL......... with a nice outfit...... I like my feet comfy...... now a days I would probably be wearing my Crocs LOL.</p>
<p>Now graduation - that was a different story - was dressed to the NINES - along with every one else -even went for the nice dressy shoes and bag to match LOL - including a hat!!! ROFL</p>
<p>All my pumps have a low heel so I can walk.
Has your son been back to W&L since graduation?</p>
<p>OOO for sure Mother - for every Alum weekend - and on occassion other special events. He is very proud of his Alum status from W&L :)</p>
<p>thanks for the explanation of what Rainbows are:I guess I just call them flip flops!
As for the poster whose D took all the formals,etc.where the heck did she find the closet space for them?
S did tell me about some girls in his dorm that did sorority rush.They had wall charts with visual examples of what each days dress codes were.Perhaps this extended to the football game?</p>
<p>JeepmomGlad to hear it! I've heard the majority of alums are very active well beyond their graduation date.</p>
<p>Cathymee
It sounds like a lot of dresses but not really. The students are supposed to dress appropriately when attending certain events at Lee Chapel and other locations on campus. </p>
<p>Her closet and bureau are dinky as is her room but at least she's in a single. Blouses were put on those space-maximizing multiple arm hangers as were skirts and pants. We put her bed on double cinderblocks so she has about 30" of clearance underneath for storage. I was surprised but it all fit without having to cram anything.</p>
<p>GStein and Jack,
My intent with this thread was to get some honest answers to this question. I did not mean to offend or upset or come across as a moron.
When I did ask this question, many of the guides answered as several have-there is a cultural, language, etc. differences.
However at a few school, the guide point blank said if S was interested in Greek Life not to rush ------- fraternities, because they would not take a kid from the North. Now I guess that was an honest answer and I guess they understood the question.<br>
I want to thank all of you who took the time to reply and thanks to Rileydog for her input on the board. She made some great comments about not changing yourself to fit in.<br>
Thanks again to all.</p>
<p>Where my gal is - the sorority gals can be spotted a mile away - they have dresses on - heels - and all have the same purse/bag - even at the tailgaiting in the field places..... I personally cannot see the heels LOL...ooo well.</p>
<p>TO the OP - I really think that considering southern schools offers your student some diversity from New England. We have had nothing but a wonderful experience with 2 very different types of kiddos and 2 very different types of schools. Both were very open to new experiences especialy ones very different from New England. Both were very open minded about what to expect and were/have been able to feel very very welcomed where they landed.</p>
<p>We really believe in this......... we gave them wings - and let them fly. They are both well prepared to travel and experience the world pretty comfortably - have adapted to the differences that the south has to offer and also have garnered new things - like FOOD - and mores/culture issues quite well. Pretty well rounded they both are.</p>
<p>The schools you have mentioned are all very accepting to kids from the north - there will be many others amongst the applicants. Ask your kiddo how they really feel about leaving the nest of New England - you said you have visited - then you have seen some clue of what is there. Let him experience a bit of a different culture - cuz....... if by chance - it doesn't fit him - there are many options to fix that.</p>
<p>.................everyone we talk to seems to know someone whose child had problems fitting in at southern schools....................</p>
<p>Septmom.......these types of comments would sure make me wonder if these particular kids would have had problems at ANY school away from home - not just southern schools!!! I don't seem to feel that going south is THAT different. But there are many kids who just don't do well - have fitting in issues - at any school they may have chosen - far from home - wrong fit, etc.........</p>
<p>Thanks JeepMom,
Your comments are very helpful. I posed the question for that reason-I did not know the children who had trouble fitting in or feel comfortable enough to ask the adults who made the comments. I felt the same way-there could be a number of reasons for kids not fitting in and the region one is from could have absolutely nothing to do with it. This is why I posted the question as I feel comfortable asking folks (CC parents and posters) who have been there and done that. Let me tell you, I wanted to go back to school after visiting many of the schools.
Thanks again for all you help.</p>