Anonymous wrote:

pbraverman wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's at a more traditional, but not religious school. How short can her dress be? Jeans are a no, right? She's applying for 10th grade.

This is straightforward: She should wear clothing consistent with that of the girls in ninth grade at the school. If the school has a dress code, it is likely posted on their Web site, perhaps in a downloadable community handbook. If there are uniforms, she should wear something that matches their formality (such as for skirt length, for example). There's no need to try to match the uniform; that will seem a little "tryhard." However, I don't think it's a good idea to push the limits of a school's dress code before enrolling. After that, all bets are off!

Good luck!
Peter

I mostly agree with this poster (hats off to him for using his name), but not totally here.

If for example, the dress code allows jeans (and maybe just has a "no ripped or torn jeans" stricture), I would still advise that your daughter "dress up" at least somewhat for the interview -- we're not talking floor length gown here, but something to indicate she knows the interview is a special occasion of sorts and to show respect. Moreover, dress codes for girls are often nebulous on things such as "how short should the skirt really be." So you have to use a bit of your own judgment that it is better to be a bit conservative on things like skirt length for the interview process.

Agreed that it is better to tilt slightly toward the dressed-up side of the center. Thanks for that bon mot.
Peter

Thanks, all

pbraverman wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's at a more traditional, but not religious school. How short can her dress be? Jeans are a no, right? She's applying for 10th grade.

This is straightforward: She should wear clothing consistent with that of the girls in ninth grade at the school. If the school has a dress code, it is likely posted on their Web site, perhaps in a downloadable community handbook. If there are uniforms, she should wear something that matches their formality (such as for skirt length, for example). There's no need to try to match the uniform; that will seem a little "tryhard." However, I don't think it's a good idea to push the limits of a school's dress code before enrolling. After that, all bets are off!

Good luck!
Peter

I mostly agree with this poster (hats off to him for using his name), but not totally here.

If for example, the dress code allows jeans (and maybe just has a "no ripped or torn jeans" stricture), I would still advise that your daughter "dress up" at least somewhat for the interview -- we're not talking floor length gown here, but something to indicate she knows the interview is a special occasion of sorts and to show respect. Moreover, dress codes for girls are often nebulous on things such as "how short should the skirt really be." So you have to use a bit of your own judgment that it is better to be a bit conservative on things like skirt length for the interview process.

Anonymous wrote:If it's at a more traditional, but not religious school. How short can her dress be? Jeans are a no, right? She's applying for 10th grade.

This is straightforward: She should wear clothing consistent with that of the girls in ninth grade at the school. If the school has a dress code, it is likely posted on their Web site, perhaps in a downloadable community handbook. If there are uniforms, she should wear something that matches their formality (such as for skirt length, for example). There's no need to try to match the uniform; that will seem a little "tryhard." However, I don't think it's a good idea to push the limits of a school's dress code before enrolling. After that, all bets are off!

Good luck!
Peter
_____________________

Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's easy to be uninformed, personal, or simply mean-spirited if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools, and I have counseled hundreds of students in finding their next schools. I hope I can be helpful to some folks. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students and parents ahead of you. If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter <at> arcpd <dot> com

I would avoid jeans, but pants would be okay with, say, a nice sweater or a blouse/button down shirt. If a skirt/dress, just try to avoid something super short -- they are aware of the winds of teen fashion so it wouldn't have to be something really unusually long. You want to show that she has made the effort to "dress up" and show respect, and that's a pretty easy standard to hit.

Good luck, hope it goes well!

If it's at a more traditional, but not religious school. How short can her dress be? Jeans are a no, right? She's applying for 10th grade.