How "preppy" is UVA

[Anonymous]

When I walk around UVA, I don't get the sense it is preppy at all now.

[Anonymous]

Some UVA boosters keep saying how "polished" the graduates are. Maybe that's what OP's DC is also referring to. The perception of "polished" = preppy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVa alumni here - it used to be seriously preppy but now I would just call it rather bland. My child didn't want to go there either as they thought it was "too preppy" and just not their vibe. Given where they ended up - I can see that. They have since visited friends who go there and like it more but are still glad they are not there. For teens - "too preppy" is more than just about clothes - it's about everyone seeming very mainstream and bland.

This. I think "preppy" goes beyond just wearing plaid and bows. It means "mainstream, basic, etc".

And yes, UVA feels like THIS to kids. I know because I have twins who are like this---very mainstream. They spend way too much time on social media and on following trends. My son is very much a "bro." They LOVED UVA--felt like they found their people there.
They are not quirky, artsy, intellectual, progressive, individualistic, etc. They are basic. They are very smart and do very well in school but sometimes we (the parents) wonder if they they have an original bone in their bodies.

(I would never say this out loud or to them but that is who they are). They loved UVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVa alumni here - it used to be seriously preppy but now I would just call it rather bland. My child didn't want to go there either as they thought it was "too preppy" and just not their vibe. Given where they ended up - I can see that. They have since visited friends who go there and like it more but are still glad they are not there. For teens - "too preppy" is more than just about clothes - it's about everyone seeming very mainstream and bland.

My kids remind me every day that I am not up on teen speak and slang but isn't what you describe "basic" rather than "preppy." When I hear preppy I think Vineyard Vines and khakis. Is that not what people mean?

I think that this is an important distinction because what you describe sounds like a place where kids are not paying that much attention to how they are dressing. And that is not what a lot of us imagine when we hear preppy.

[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?

So don't consider it, who cares? UVA will make their enrollment with or without her. Plenty of other schools out there for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVa alumni here - it used to be seriously preppy but now I would just call it rather bland. My child didn't want to go there either as they thought it was "too preppy" and just not their vibe. Given where they ended up - I can see that. They have since visited friends who go there and like it more but are still glad they are not there. For teens - "too preppy" is more than just about clothes - it's about everyone seeming very mainstream and bland.

This. I think "preppy" goes beyond just wearing plaid and bows. It means "mainstream, basic, etc".

And yes, UVA feels like THIS to kids. I know because I have twins who are like this---very mainstream. They spend way too much time on social media and on following trends. My son is very much a "bro." They LOVED UVA--felt like they found their people there.
They are not quirky, artsy, intellectual, progressive, individualistic, etc. They are basic. They are very smart and do very well in school but sometimes we (the parents) wonder if they they have an original bone in their bodies.

(I would never say this out loud or to them but that is who they are). They loved UVA.

You make it sound very vanilla.

[Anonymous]

My UVA student is a 3rd year and is not preppy. My student doesn't talk like "bro" or "bruh"
Literally doesn't care what they wear and isn't into brands or labels. My take on it is you are going to ask and get a lot of different answers as they aren't trying to get just one type of kid.

[Anonymous]

Following to say mine wears sweats and athletic clothes. I'm not sure that is a UVA thing as much as it is a post covid thing.

[Anonymous]

We visited UVA, W&M, VT, and JMU and I can't say I really noticed any noticeable differences between the students we saw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVa alumni here - it used to be seriously preppy but now I would just call it rather bland. My child didn't want to go there either as they thought it was "too preppy" and just not their vibe. Given where they ended up - I can see that. They have since visited friends who go there and like it more but are still glad they are not there. For teens - "too preppy" is more than just about clothes - it's about everyone seeming very mainstream and bland.

This. I think "preppy" goes beyond just wearing plaid and bows. It means "mainstream, basic, etc".

And yes, UVA feels like THIS to kids. I know because I have twins who are like this---very mainstream. They spend way too much time on social media and on following trends. My son is very much a "bro." They LOVED UVA--felt like they found their people there.
They are not quirky, artsy, intellectual, progressive, individualistic, etc. They are basic. They are very smart and do very well in school but sometimes we (the parents) wonder if they they have an original bone in their bodies.

(I would never say this out loud or to them but that is who they are). They loved UVA.

You make it sound very vanilla.

It is. My kids are.
I'm calling a spade a spade here.

[Anonymous]

In the last 5 weeks, we've visited UVA, JMU, Fordham, Vassar and VT. We also went to a sports event at UNC and delivered a package to a friend's kid at Elon. The kids all dressed the same (sweats, jeans, pajama pants, shorts and tees), wore the same shoes (Air Jordans, Dunks, Birks, Converse & Clouds) and headphones (Airpods, Sony & Airpods Max). This thread is ridiculous.

[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 have a first year there. It actually is quite preppy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the last 5 weeks, we've visited UVA, JMU, Fordham, Vassar and VT. We also went to a sports event at UNC and delivered a package to a friend's kid at Elon. The kids all dressed the same (sweats, jeans, pajama pants, shorts and tees), wore the same shoes (Air Jordans, Dunks, Birks, Converse & Clouds) and headphones (Airpods, Sony & Airpods Max). This thread is ridiculous.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain to me when dressing nicely became a negative? The UVA stereotype is not true but imagining if it was... why is that a problem?

OP, is your kid a slob? Does she dress slovenly on purpose or for some other reason? As a parent, do you not explain that professionals and self-respecting people do their best to purport themselves in a manner that exhibits confidence? So called "preppy" clothes aren't necessarily expensive so what's the issue?

In academic environments, it is seen as a negative to seem obsessed with one's physical appearances, including clothing and consumable goods. That is (just one) reason people criticize the greek life at UVA - the ranking tiers that are formulated most shallow to less shallow. Other college environments tend to shun the more shallow, in favor of the more cerebral.

DP-One that sees that as a negative and views themselves as more cerebral is the shallow one. Einstein and Oppenheimer wore suits and dressed nicely. Dressing nicely is not a negative.

One can dress nicely but not “preppy.” There are more fashionable ways to look nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVa alumni here - it used to be seriously preppy but now I would just call it rather bland. My child didn't want to go there either as they thought it was "too preppy" and just not their vibe. Given where they ended up - I can see that. They have since visited friends who go there and like it more but are still glad they are not there. For teens - "too preppy" is more than just about clothes - it's about everyone seeming very mainstream and bland.

This. I think "preppy" goes beyond just wearing plaid and bows. It means "mainstream, basic, etc".

And yes, UVA feels like THIS to kids. I know because I have twins who are like this---very mainstream. They spend way too much time on social media and on following trends. My son is very much a "bro." They LOVED UVA--felt like they found their people there.
They are not quirky, artsy, intellectual, progressive, individualistic, etc. They are basic. They are very smart and do very well in school but sometimes we (the parents) wonder if they they have an original bone in their bodies.

(I would never say this out loud or to them but that is who they are). They loved UVA.

This is OP. This is exactly what she means by preppy. Everyone exactly the same and carrying the sam Stanley (or whatever the new water bottle is).