I go(/went) to a private high school that doesn’t let you dye your hair unnatural colors, so I’ve basically been waiting four years to dye my hair. I’ve always wanted to do pastel pink or blue (not my entire head, but nearly all of it) but now that I’m going to Cornell I’ve been having doubts about it. I’ve heard from others that since it’s a fairly elite school, crazy hair could skew people’s (professors, internships, jobs, etc) image of me and not make me seem as “professional”. Would this be the case at Cornell? I really didn’t feel like this was the case when I visited but I wanted to get an inside opinion. I hope I don’t sound entirely stupid for asking this, I just worry that it will actually affect any opportunities I might have at the school.
lol, I let my dd dye hair pink in 9th grade to get it out of her system (and just for fun)
Profs and fellow students aren’t gonna care much. But potential employers very well may care. But it also depends on what internships/jobs you’re pursuing. Some industries don’t care (software designer, barrista, fine arts eg). Other will care greatly (legal, financial, some engineering & manufacturing).
Oh please, you have got to be kidding (it’s not a stupid question, just a sheltered life question).
Pierce yourself, dye your hair, get face tattoos. No one will care, that is, after the initial self-reflection a professor might make “hmm, I’ve never seen anyone with pink hair and a green face tattoo and nose piercing connected to their lip piercing on a chain” then they would treat you the same as anyone else.
I’d say if you are going for a pink or blue that’s basically a blond tinged pink or blue, on the pale side, it is fine. A friend of mine at the Ivy I attended tried to dye her dark brown hair red, and it ended up a dark maroon, and no one cared…
I’d agree that at some point, significant body modifications including hair style, piercings, and tattoos will be frowned upon, but I would only say that would be when you get a job in certain businesses with significant client interaction.
But absolutely no one is going to be seen as “not professional” any more than it is “not professional” to go to Ivy League classes wearing cutoffs and a torn T-shirt and flip flops.
OP - Don’t get a green face tattoo.
OP - Do what makes you feel good and makes you happy…no shade
I’ve seen the same girl walking around campus with a cat ears headband a couple times. March to the beat of your own drum if you’d like to - but during an interview you can’t stop an employer from thinking whatever they want to.
This will sound shallow to some posters here, but if you are interested in rushing at Cornell you may want to think about how you present yourself. On the other hand, it maybe a good way to get noticed by girls who are more into self expression.
If you were my kid I would ask you if it is a first (and long time) impression you want to make at a new environment. If so, then go ahead, otherwise I would wait to see how it goes first.
Why don’t you play with hair color for the summer? You have a few months to see what you think – and it’s HAIR. It grows out.
Quite a number of people on campus have their hair dyed blue, red etc. I even have a piercing on my nose. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.