How "preppy" is UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a lot less preppy than it used to be, that's for sure. I attended nearly 20 years ago and those were the days when "girls in pearls and guys in ties" at football games was ubiquitous - much less so now.

As the student population has grown more diverse, the "preppy" population has largely limited itself to the Greek system, which is pretty closed off from the rest of the University. You can be a part of that world if it's for you and you can avoid it completely if it's not (for me, it was not).

For me, the coolest thing about attending UVA - having transferred there after one year at a different school in VA - was the vast array of options for student groups to join. There is seemingly a self-governing student group for just about any interest you can imagine, and that's where you find your people. From 7:00 - 11:00 PM most nights during the week, I was hanging with one of these groups, and then attending parties with them on the weekends.

Classes in the mornings (but not too early), studying in the afternoons, social time at night. It was a truly wonderful experience.

Except it's not. Yes, only 30% of the student body is Greek, but a huge number of non-Greeks go to the parties and are cut from the same cloth.

well, if they do so, that is their choice, no? My UVA kid had nothing to do with the Greeks, which is easy since it's all off-campus. My UVA kid is not preppy; none of his UVA friends is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wtf else do you want them to wear?? Billie Eilish goth attire? Hipster Brooklyn?

“Collegiate” used to be a dress term for pretty much all college kids in the old days

I’m fine with my kids not dressing weird.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kids loved the vibe. Hated W and and M. It's worth spending some time on campus once the kids are around (I imagine they are gone for the summer now or leaving very soon).

Student bodies really have personalities. Sure, there are a few of all types of kids at every college but I think if you don't vibe with the prevailing culture it can be very challenging socially. Look at the post on here about kids attending college 4 years and not finding friends. OP's kid is an introvert at USC. Not a great fit on paper and it turned out to be not a great fit in reality.

Social fit is BIG.

This is totally true. My daughter is at UVA and in retrospect wishes she had gone to W&M. For people who say UVA isn't preppy - tour W&M and UVA. UVA has a much preppier vibe.

I don't see it, but perhaps I've got an old view of preppy. Football games used to be quite different, but now the dress is similar to any other school.

[Anonymous]

UVA is more “preppy” vs VTech being more “country” according to my kid

[Anonymous]

If you say UVA kids look like VT or W&M kids people will not like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you say UVA kids look like VT or W&M kids people will not like it.

UVA kids dress like JMU kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you say UVA kids look like VT or W&M kids people will not like it.

UVA kids dress like JMU kids.

That would be JMU kids dress like UVA kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA is more “preppy” vs VTech being more “country” according to my kid

VT is not at all country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA is more “preppy” vs VTech being more “country” according to my kid

VT is not at all country.

Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA is more “preppy” vs VTech being more “country” according to my kid

VT is not at all country.

Really?

Yes, all 30,000 kids are country.

Christ. The majority are from DC area.

[Anonymous]

Okay these replies are funny. My kid wears pj pants to class at UVA but Im pretty sure he would have worn them wherever he went 🤣

[Anonymous]

Preppy as can be. Nothing but woke preppy kids. All part of the plan. Administration is shaping the school they want.

[Anonymous]

Do they still require a headshot with your application?

[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?

Good thing you raised her to be tolerant, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they still require a headshot with your application?

Georgetown was the only college that still did back when I applied to college in the 90s.