I will be going on my first college visit later this month, and I also plan to visit more colleges between now and May. I am a current senior in high school, and I’ve already been accepted to the school that I am visiting. It is a state school that isn’t very selective. What kind of clothes should I wear? I don’t want to look out of place because I am underdressed or overdressed. I don’t really own any dress clothes. I have a business skirt, a blouse, and a dressy jacket (a blazer maybe?). Other than that, I only have athletic wear. Is athletic wear too casual? It isn’t stained or holey or ill-fitting. If athletic wear isn’t appropriate, what should I wear? I don’t want to spend a lot of money on new clothes (because these visits are going to be quite costly).
Jeans, but if you don’t have any athletic wear should be fine.
comfy shoes!
Wear whatever you want. College kids aren’t exactly known for being fashionistas. Unless you’re going to a school known for being preppy, you won’t feel out of place at all wearing a t-shirt and jeans/athletic shorts.
As a general rule, it’s only too casual if it’d get you arrested.
If you’re just doing a campus tour it doesn’t really matter what you wear. If you will be interviewing with anyone, then you need to be better dressed, but the one outfit you describe is probably too dressy.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on clothes, but it might not be a bad idea to go to a discount store or a thrift shop and pick up a pair of khakis and a nice top. You will probably have other occasions when you need something in between a business skirt and athletic wear.
The comfy shoes are a must.
I would dress in clothes that are comfortable and you feel good in. Dressing up is unnecessary and will make you feel out of place. As gardenstategal said wear comfortable shoes. Depending on the size of the campus you could be doing a lot of walking and will probably be on your feet a good bit.
We just did two accepted students days. Jeans were everywhere. I didn’t notice anyone who was dressed up.
Agree anything that is clean, inoffensive (not incredibly revealing, no logos for anything that could offend someone) and comfortable to walk around in is fine. I would not buy new clothing for this.
It really depends on the school. S went to a tour/interview at a SLAC in the Midwest. He wore khakis and a sweater, and nice sneakers. He was way overdressed. That was about perfect for a SLAC in a suburban neighborhood in CA, though.
In spring students wear the standard attire of jeans and a t-shirt, jacket if cool.
In summer shorts and t-shirt.
Most forget rain gear or umbrella and waterproof shoes on bad days. Also take a water bottle, a small notebook, and your phone to take photos. You can refer back to them when you write your essays. After awhile colleges tend to blend together and one dorm looks much like another. My son snapped lots of shots of distinctive features, students congregating, etc…
As a current college student I’ve never noticed what any of the touring students are wearing. Mostly current students tend to get annoyed by tour groups and feel like we’re on display.
Literally wear whatever you want, just make sure you wear weather-appropriate clothing and, as one previous poster said, shoes you can do some walking in.
Tour/info session: Anything you want, but steer clear of overtly offensive.
Interview: Step it up to business casual (the outfit you described).
A business skirt, blouse, and dressy jacket is business casual? Not in any office where I’ve ever worked.
I’m no fashion expert, but it sounded fine for an interview.
As you’re a senior going to schools at which you’ve already been accepted, it doesn’t matter what you wear.