How "preppy" is UVA

[Anonymous]

My DD does not want to consider UVA because it is "too preppy." Is it? What is it like culturally? Is every one Lululemon wearing suburban kids? Also, is it as cut throat as it seems like it would be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD does not want to consider UVA because it is "too preppy." Is it? What is it like culturally? Is every one Lululemon wearing suburban kids? Also, is it as cut throat as it seems like it would be?

Your DD is picking a college based on what people wear? Seems ridiculous. No, everyone is does not wear Lululemon. Didn’t you know lululemon is not popular anymore? Cool girls wear ALO.

[Anonymous]

Whatever UVA is, it’s 20,000 students. It’s not a monolith. If preppiness bothers DC, then they should feel free to not dress or act preppy. There are plenty on non-preppy people at UVA. It’s too big for any particular group to dominate.

[Anonymous]

Mine did not want UVA because they felt it is suburban high school 2.0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD does not want to consider UVA because it is "too preppy." Is it? What is it like culturally? Is every one Lululemon wearing suburban kids? Also, is it as cut throat as it seems like it would be?

I’ve had 4 DCs recently graduate and.or are current students. Like others have said, it’s a relatively large school with all different kinds of students. Sure, there are stereotypes and some students are “preppy” but most, including mine, don’t fit that. As far as cut throat, yes, it can be, but a student can easily decide whether they want to participate in that culture and most do not, IME. Out of my 4, only one did/does and that’s mainly bc she’s very competitive by nature.

[Anonymous]

This board has jumped the shark. How many times does this ridiculous question need to be asked? Go frigging see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine did not want UVA because they felt it is suburban high school 2.0.

This is the silliest comment (seen on a recent JMU thread too)! Colleges like UVA are substantially larger than high school with kids coming from all over Virginia and the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine did not want UVA because they felt it is suburban high school 2.0.

This is the silliest comment (seen on a recent JMU thread too)! Colleges like UVA are substantially larger than high school with kids coming from all over Virginia and the country.

DP and a UVA alum from a large NOVA high school, and I think it’s a fair point. At least something to consider. It won’t be an issue for a lot of people, but some kids might prefer a clean slate.

[Anonymous]

I agree with her that its a preppy vibe. I walked around and all the girls I saw were in dresses and both boys and girls looked preppy. I wore a dress about five times a year in college in contrast. It was a nice change from some of the other schools that were extremely alternative compares to my experience of jeans and a bland top but this school looked the most fashionable of all the ones I saw. I guess that comes with money and nice weather. It's not necessarily a bad thing but it does seem like a lot of kids there care about their wardrobe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with her that its a preppy vibe. I walked around and all the girls I saw were in dresses and both boys and girls looked preppy. I wore a dress about five times a year in college in contrast. It was a nice change from some of the other schools that were extremely alternative compares to my experience of jeans and a bland top but this school looked the most fashionable of all the ones I saw. I guess that comes with money and nice weather. It's not necessarily a bad thing but it does seem like a lot of kids there care about their wardrobe.

It's a good thing but there are plenty of slobs there as well. My kid dresses nice and his housemates call him bougie but these are kids that never take off their pajamas so there is a balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with her that its a preppy vibe. I walked around and all the girls I saw were in dresses and both boys and girls looked preppy. I wore a dress about five times a year in college in contrast. It was a nice change from some of the other schools that were extremely alternative compares to my experience of jeans and a bland top but this school looked the most fashionable of all the ones I saw. I guess that comes with money and nice weather. It's not necessarily a bad thing but it does seem like a lot of kids there care about their wardrobe.

When did you do your walk around? I live here and am on grounds for work frequently. It's mostly athleisure for the girls during the weekdays going to class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with her that its a preppy vibe. I walked around and all the girls I saw were in dresses and both boys and girls looked preppy. I wore a dress about five times a year in college in contrast. It was a nice change from some of the other schools that were extremely alternative compares to my experience of jeans and a bland top but this school looked the most fashionable of all the ones I saw. I guess that comes with money and nice weather. It's not necessarily a bad thing but it does seem like a lot of kids there care about their wardrobe.

When did you do your walk around? I live here and am on grounds for work frequently. It's mostly athleisure for the girls during the weekdays going to class.

+1

My son is a 1st year and lives in sweats/shorts and t-shirts. Sometimes on Fridays he'll "dress up" in a t-shirt and open button down shirt and khakis.

And last time I was there, I noticed that all the girls were dressed in leggings and sweatshirts. Definitely not dresses unless they were taking pictures for graduation on the Lawn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever UVA is, it’s 20,000 students. It’s not a monolith. If preppiness bothers DC, then they should feel free to not dress or act preppy. There are plenty on non-preppy people at UVA. It’s too big for any particular group to dominate.

IT's actually 26,000 if you include the grad students AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM DRESSES PREPPY. Seriously, OP, you have raised a bigot. You need to open your daughter's mind. My non-preppy kid loved it there. She never participated in the greek system (only 26 percent at UVA), never partied with them, never set foot in a greek house, joined other fabulous clubs and graduated with great friends and never once looked preppy. If she has a chance of getting in, she should apply because it is a great financial deal for in-state and a great school. Also go look at W&M, although your daughter will probably say that is too preppy, too. LOL. If you really want to see preppy go see W&Lee and U of Richmond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine did not want UVA because they felt it is suburban high school 2.0.

You've really been overworking that phrase recently, mostly with your GMU posts. It's boring and of course not true so stop it. There are 26,000 students at UVA. My kid never saw the few from his high school on campus. It's that way for everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with her that its a preppy vibe. I walked around and all the girls I saw were in dresses and both boys and girls looked preppy. I wore a dress about five times a year in college in contrast. It was a nice change from some of the other schools that were extremely alternative compares to my experience of jeans and a bland top but this school looked the most fashionable of all the ones I saw. I guess that comes with money and nice weather. It's not necessarily a bad thing but it does seem like a lot of kids there care about their wardrobe.

You see what you’re looking for.