<p>Personally, I just wore my school uniform or some variation thereof. (Polo+Khakis+sweater/cardigan) I felt comfortable I that I kind of felt inconspicuous amongst the students. Who really wants to stand out like that? The only place I felt out of place like that was NMH, which is extremely casual. Most every tour guide when speaking about dress code said I would fit in perfectly.</p>
<p>I noticed that most of the examples on here are for guys.</p>
<p>When my son interviewed a couple of years ago, the young lady who served as the tour guide commented that my son looked nice (hinting that it was important to dress for an interview). He wore a navy blazer, shirt and tie, and khakis. Now that he is on the other side and serves as a tour guide, he dresses very casually (jeans, t-shirt, hoodie).</p>
<p>I remember my Thacher tour/interview last year. I wore like khakis, polo-untucked, almost new nikes and I was waaay over dressed. Every kid was dressed in skateboarding clothes, including the girls. I would usually wear a blazer, tie etc. for east coast schools. They did say dress casually but … what’s with that?</p>
<p>@kentschoolie…that’s California! … and when it’s 80+ degrees and sun shining most days of the year, well, coats and ties seem more out of place than not. Having said that, four nights a week there is a formal dinner - coats/ties, dresses/skirts, assigned seating. All those kids can tie a mean four-in-hand as needed. :)</p>
<p>What’s really interesting however is that informal dress has no bearing on a respectful “tone” at the School (as I was always led to believe when I went to prep school back in the day - coats and ties every day). Appreciation of and respect for the faculty, the staff, and the other kids permeates everything.</p>
<p>Yeah, the students dress casually and the fac dresses very nicely and I loved this school but the group of potential students being toured and interviewed with me showed a way too casual approach. I was dressed down but at least my clothes were clean and I showed some respect for the process. That being said, I wonder what the AO’s thinks of the dress-WAY-down approach. I mean, the parent dresses nicely but the kid looks like they’re ready for hanging out–at least be clean.</p>
<p>I think the AO’s probably have the same dim view of the applicant-dress-way-down approach that you do, kentschoolie. They’re not expecting coats and ties necessarily (although all the kids the day that we interviewed were in coats and ties), but they are expecting smart-looking business casual or better. It’s a sign of respect for the interview process to be well dressed, even if the school is located in sunny SoCal.</p>
<p>Btw, I totally loved this school. It is pretty much awesome but my parents though it was too far away from the UK. I’m happy where I am but I know I’m missing that horse experience.
Still feel that either coat and tie, casual, whatever at least be clean and ironed and respectful. There’s plenty of time once you’re in school to wear wrinkled clothes!
And, one other thing: No cell phones in the AO reception areas at school you’re being interviewed!!! Again, lots of texting and phone calls (with criticism) by kids while their parents were being interviewed. I just didn’t see that at east coast schools. Really hope all that gets filtered out by the powers that be in the decision process.</p>
<p>it really depends! i mean, some people are not into wearing incredibly formal clothes. my interview was in the fall, and i was freezing (i’m from the philippines. anything below like, 60 is freezing to me) and i was in a skirt, tights, a button-down and a coat. but i saw other people who were just in cardigans and jeans with nice shoes. the least formal i ever saw someone dress at an interview was just a button-down and slacks without a tie, but even that can be accounted as “formal.”</p>
<p>For the record, it depends a lot on school. As a casual school, while most people dress up for Andover tours and interviews, there is no requirement or expectation to do so, according to an admissions officer.</p>
<p>Since you asked.</p>
<p>I’m a bit oldschool when it comes to this; my Hogwarts colleagues might disagree.</p>
<p>I read once that you should dress for the job you want to get, not the one you already have.</p>
<p>Even students from very modest backgrounds have shown up in my office in perfectly tailored suits. An AO cannot help but be impressed by that.</p>
<p>Of course, one should consider the dress code of the school. If a school requires jacket and tie for boys, a male applicant should of course wear a jacket and tie to the interview.</p>
<p>But if a school has a casual dress code, does that mean you can dress casually to the interview? Can, yes. Should? I don’t know.</p>
<p>Thanks, Gemma. Helpful to hear your point of view.</p>
<p>I would recommend NOT dressing down for a school with a more lax dress code- certainly you can, but you send a better message if you’re well dressed. Specifically, I’d say boys should wear khakis, a button-up, a tie, and some sort of sport coat. Nice shoes couldn’t hurt either. Girls should dress for the season in a similarly appropriate fashion- I would recommend some sort of skirt/blouse or skirt/sweater combo or a weather-appropriate dress, but if you find suitable pants or REALLY suitable shorts, go for it.
If your tour is in the summer, you can probably get away with a little bit less.</p>
<p>Obviously ALL applicants should be very well-groomed.</p>
<p>ok guys yah dressing nice is important but if you are there because you are a sports recruit doesn’t matter what you where you just have to be athletic. I am a tour guide at sps and personally i like it when people aren’t over dressed. I mean no jean shorts or anything but when people dress up they don’t let their personality show and schools want your personality if you not a recruit(sport/dance/school recruit)</p>
<p>While I’ll agree that it probably matters a little less what you wear if you’re a recruit, I believe you should still send an appropriate, respectful message: first impressions are important. Even if you’re absolutely SURE you’ll get in [which I have to say not many people are], you should still look appropriate. I don’t think you can categorically say that people “don’t their personality show” when they’re dressed up, either. In fact, admissions officers usually take slightly more formal [as in what i specified earlier] dress as a message that you’re interested in the school and want to make a good impression- being underdressed can send a bad message, maybe not to a tour guide but quite possibly to an admissions officer.</p>
<p>I’ll second what texaschica said. </p>
<p>At one school we visited, there was a dad and daughter in the admissions office who were in athletic gear. They were met enthusiastically by a coach who talked to them for a while…I don’t know if she was going to work out with a team or already had. She was not wearing her “Sunday Best”, but she was not wearing old sweats. She looked more like she was in team-issue travel gear (nice windpants and zip jacket).</p>
<p>So, if your student is an “academic,” he should wear a corduroy blazer with suede elbow patches and carry a pipe and pocket watch?</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>@neato: And a copy of the Paris Review. Oh, and a monocle.</p>
<p>monocle! LOL</p>
<p>As a member of the Key Society, and a Gold Key Tour guide at Pomfret, I am a fixture in the admissions office most of my free blocks. I (A fashion Blogger) have made numerous notes on dresscode. </p>
<h1>1.) Wearing a Blue Blazer+Striped Tie Won’t Cut it. 8/10 Boys wear this.</h1>
<h1>2.) Girls, remember to be conservative when it comes to cleavage, a scarf helps here.</h1>
<h1>3.) Parents and Kids… Easy on the perfume…</h1>
<h1>4.) Corduroys, I think yes! Who wears khakis in December?</h1>
<h1>5.) BOWTIE!!! Score. 1/10 wears one…</h1>
<h1>6.) NO SNEAKERS!!!</h1>
<h1>7.) Instead of a snowboarding jacket, try a peacoat or an overcoat…</h1>
<h1>8.) Easy on the Makeup…</h1>
<h1>9.) With a skirt, Tights…</h1>
<h1>10.) Stir it up…</h1>
<p>Just remember that every 2nd applicant wears a blue blazer and tie. This is true everywhere, not just at Pomfret. The Tweed blazer and Bowtie sets you apart, which is good in admissions. The Interviewers talk and gossip about what you wear too… Always go above and beyond the Schools dress code. And keep it classy…</p>
<p>Paper, your ARE funny and, if I may add, straight outta Bolton! Enjoy this:</p>
<p>[RFQ:</a> Are Guys in Bowties Weird? Dull? Republican? - Raw Fisher](<a href=“http://voices.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/11/rfq_are_guys_in_bowties_weird.html]RFQ:”>http://voices.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/11/rfq_are_guys_in_bowties_weird.html)</p>