<p>*** Addendum:
My what a difference a decade will make. In the 70's our typical outfit was a danskin leotard with an open man-tailored shirt over it, a pair of bell bottom jeans or courderoys and hiking boots. I still have the hiking boots-- they are really comfortable. Once a week was "dress-up day" in my book. I'd wear a dress or skirt, or maybe a pants suit--usually because I hadn't done any laundry!</p>
<p>jym - for everyday, I wore a pair of bellbottom jeans that - I kid you not - I found in a Cambridge laundromat, Dr. Scholl's sandals (the Birkenstocks of that era?) and some kind of Dansk-y tunic top. However, I believe we were not allowed to wear pants to dinner. Nor boots. Of any kind.</p>
<p>But, yes, in those days for football games, one wore dainty suits, Peck&Peck two piece dresses...!!!?! One year, my father came to go with us to the Harvard-Yale game. Turned out to be The Game. He came down from the hotel room in his Notre Dame sweatshirt and appropriate other garb (he was a Subway Alumnus). We sent him back upstairs, incredulous, for a suit.</p>
<p>^^ LOL!! The nerve of your father, jmmom!</p>
<p>Ah yes, had Dr. School's too, and earth shoes, and Clark wallabees. And PECK & PECK!! I used to shop there too!! I haven't thought about that store in........ centuries ;)</p>
<p>Have we hijacked this thread sufficiently :rolleyes:? I do think the OP has answer to her question, so I guess we don't need to be taken to the guillotine. But if we do, shall we wear the little black dress and pearls?</p>
<p>^^^LOL!!!
We are just bemusing our wonderful "sisters" experiences. They probably won't talk about these aspects of college life at the presentation!!
BTW, funny about the bell bottoms! But in college, I think someone accidentally went "shopping" in the washer/dryer area in our dorm basement, and my favorite tshirt (a superman logo t shirt that I'd made with an iron on decal) sprouted legs and walked away... I never did see anyone wearing it on campus though. Never did find it.. :(</p>
<p>"How do you think your daughters got invited to this event?</p>
<p>It is the kind of thing I'd like D2 to attend -- she is currently a HS freshman"
After the PSAT, she got an email from Bryn Mawr and was already an avid reader of the Bryn Mawr classics publications, so she responded to the mailing list request and was invited. I don't think it was anything about her specially, just geography and interest.</p>
<p>"Zoosermom, I think you are too concerned about "working class people like us." It's not like 40 years ago, when everyone who went to one of these schools was American royalty. Nowadays, gobs of people who go to these schools are "working class people like [you]." You will both fit in with the crowd just fine."</p>
<p>I'm a little paranoid because I work in a law firm where all the attorneys are graudates of such schools and let me tell you, the distinction is clear and one better never put a toe over the line! I'm sure you're all absolutely correct and it will be lovely. Happens to be her Sweet 16 that day, so perhaps it's an omen.</p>
<p>"Have we hijacked this thread sufficiently ?"
No!! I love these stories.</p>
<p>zoosermom,</p>
<p>Attorneys tend to dress like-- well, attorneys, even when they're at play. I think it's the whole court thing-- much more dressy than many other jobs. </p>
<p>The sister college events aren't any more dressy than any other college event. The students aren't fussier either. I would dress however you would dress to any other college event. I personally, would go one step above jeans and a t-shirt and wear pants and a shirt. That's also what my daughter wore to college events-- unless they were going to her school in which case they saw her in whatever she happened to wear that day. </p>
<p>As far as their not remembering you.... I dunno... When we went to visit one of the colleges to which my daughter applied, we had a very funny encounter with a man who turned out to be her admissions officer! (I kid you not!) Anyway, he asked her what school she attends and, when she told him, he said, "I was there this fall and you weren't at my presentation." He was right (daughter had a test that period and her teacher wouldn't let her go). I was SHOCKED that he would notice that she <em>wasn't</em> there. My daughter insists it's 'cause she's black and they notice more but really, some of them <em>do</em> remember kids.</p>
<p>Zmom:</p>
<p>I can help you with this, because my D and I actually attended "The Sisters" info session last spring in NYC. </p>
<p>Last year, it was held on a weekday evening at a NYC hotel, and it was packed--not an empty seat left in the presentation room. (To anyone thinking of just dropping in--I would contact one of the schools and register because it was really SRO!) My D received the invitation in the mail, because she was on the mailing list at most of these schools. Last year, Mt Holyoke was in charge of the event (but I think that they might rotate that responsibility?)</p>
<p>As to how to dress: very few people were dressed up. There were some in business attire--people coming after work with their offspring. I'd say people were generally neat and presentable, but, for the most part it was very casual--honestly, most parents and students wore jeans. I also noticed quite a few "NYC girls" that came solo--in school uniforms and/or with backpacks. The representatives from some of the schools wore pantsuits, while others wore blouses and slacks--no skirts or dresses!</p>
<p>Oh, and by the way, quite a diverse group of people--many ethnicities--even a girl who was disabled--and I only saw a couple of women wearing cashmere twinsets and pearls. No one should feel out of place or outnumbered.</p>
<p>Upon entering, you were asked to sign the registration book. They, evidently, took attendance as a sign of "real" interest, according to the alumna at the desk. Then, you could mill about and "network." Each school had a table set up with at least one alumna, an admissions counselor and the Director of Admissions. They had bulletins and course catalogs--some for distribution and some just for perusing. Everyone was incredibly nice and helpful. My D and I asked lots of very specific questions about professors, majors, advising, housing, activities--you name it. I have to say that these women were all very knowledgeable and professional. We were impressed. We'd been to college fairs where the representatives couldn't answer anything that wasn't a very general knowledge type of question.</p>
<p>After about an hour, we were asked to move into the other (larger) room for the presentation--chairs set up in rows--many, many rows from the front of the room to the back. Each Director of Admissions spoke for about 15 minutes about a specific aspect/benefit of attending a women's college. You can probably expect a mix of anecdotes/statistics/humor/seriousness here. There is a real sense of camaraderie between these admissions directors, but also a very good-natured competitiveness. It was a fairly interesting and informative presentation, as these things go. </p>
<p>Afterwards, there was still a little bit more time to speak with the representatives if you needed to.</p>
<p>All in all, a pretty good experience. Even if the presentation bores you, I think that being able to speak to 5 Admissions Directors in one hour is well worth the effort. My D definitely got a feel for which schools best suited her and which ones no longer interested her.</p>
<p>Best wishes & Enjoy!</p>
<p>Wow! THanks so much BAfromBC. You really helped me clarify. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your taking the time.</p>
<p>Zoosermom your post about looking middle class made me laugh. Thanks for it. My son is going to his dream school Princeton in the fall. We were there for a preview last week. At the parent's reception, I made sure that I did not cross my legs so that the holes in the bottom of my shoes wouldn't show! They are comfortable, we did a lot of walking, and I hate to throw anything away. </p>
<p>Good luck to your child(ren) in their college career(s).</p>
<p>Lol at bunsenburner. The North Face is not a working class brand. And to the rest of you, people really don't care how you dress these days. Unless you show up in some really whacky outfit (purple tights or the like), people won't judge! Its all good.</p>
<p>I'd also like to add that if you do it right, jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt can look quite classy</p>
<p>
[quote]
The North Face is not a working class brand
[/quote]
</p>
<p>LOL, here in Seattle it is EVERYONE'S brand. Long before it became a fashion statement elsewhere, it was sold at REI for outdoorsy people. We wear our fleece with pride rain or shine no matter what we make and where, and the source of our coats can range from Nordstrom to garage sales :)</p>
<p>Zoosermom, the presentation in Seattle was structured very similarly to the one described by BAfromBC. I have a feeling that women's colleges do track applicant's interest much more so than other LACs. My daughter diligently filled out the guestbooks and reply cards, chose to apply to one, was admitted and is seriously thinking about enrolling.</p>
<p>BTW, I do remember some girls wearing goth-like makeup and clothes at our Sisters' presentation, but once again, it is Seattle.</p>
<p>I was in the last class that applied to Radcliffe and the first class that got a degree from Harvard rather than Radcliffe. I've never been sure whether that makes me a sister or not. My freshman year boyfriend (a senior) was among the first boys to move to the Radcliffe dorms. My uniform was definitely bellbottom jeans or corderoys, and I wore leotards pretty frequently. I think I still wore my Dad's Marine Corps jacket pretty regularly as well. (Though it was more fun in high school when it really irritated the headmistress, but there were no rules about coats.)</p>
<p>When you think of us, think of the Sopranos and you'd be close, although I'm not Italian American.</p>
<p>I'm so excited about this. You've all made it very understandable to me.</p>
<p>Every time I go back to Reunions at my womens college I feel so wi****l afterwards. I miss the humor, the intelligence, the camaderie we had. Never been able to quite replace it. DH always teases me about it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I made sure that I did not cross my legs so that the holes in the bottom of my shoes wouldn't show!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>MomofnewP: That's why they have shoemakers. You can get new soles!!</p>
<p>Zoosermom: Meadow Soprano made it to Columbia. You'll be fine.</p>
<p>And for the record, I didn't attend A Sister -- just a Big Ten School, but it was so long ago that "dressing" was required for dinner. My college town (Evanston, IL) had its very own Peck & Peck, where all the sorority sisters shopped. (Well, I guess then I was a sister, of sorts.) I had forgotten about that store too. Peck & Peck makes Talbots look radical.</p>
<p>For the record, look at what I found: Peck</a> & Peck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>
<p>Do all of you ladies know that is still de rigueur for collegians (that goes for males AND females) to dress properly for football games at certain schools?</p>