I was at Yale's program for newly accepted students. While I don't recall seeing any parents with holes in their clothes, beyond that most parents were pretty casual, I can honestly say I didn't pay much attention to what anyone else wore, and I doubt others paid attention to me. Honestly, I don't recall what I wore. Dull question to start this thread -- maybe a good place to end it.

^^^ confuse you *with* Bill Gates. Sorry, just coming back here and saw my own post is incomprehensible.

Anonymous wrote:I prefer the Normcore/Larry David look. Keep them guessing.

Good plan. People might confuse you will Bill Gates.

As a factual matter, many of the DC privates skew more wealthy and upper middle class than most Ivies and certain other selective private universities. Many of the most selective private colleges are proud to publish the percentage of their incoming classes that are from Pell-Grant eligible families. Federal Pell Grants are available to students from families making less than 2.5X the national poverty rate, which equates to about $65,000 per year (compare to DC metro median income of about $110,000). So these kids are quite poor by DC standards. The recent published stats for Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Duke... all range between 15 and 20% Pell-Grant eligible students. This percentage is much higher than the representation of "deep need" students at places like NCS, Sidwell, STA, Potomac, and others.

Another indication of wealth distribution is the percentage of students at the private colleges receiving any aid (tuition assistance grants ranging from small amounts up to full-ride, which is the case for the Pell-Grant eligible students above). This number is 45% or more at the most selective colleges (46% at Duke and an astounding 70% at Harvard). By comparison, none of the local private Independent schools has more than 30 or 35% of their students on aid. I will grant that this is an inexact comparison because the cost of a private university is higher than an independent secondary, and thus the threshold for receiving aid is at a higher income level. This does, however, provide some sense for the composition of the socioeconomic diversity between the two populations.

How folks choose to dress is better answered by others on this forum.

I prefer the Normcore/Larry David look. Keep them guessing.

Anonymous wrote:What private school OP? This is incredibly superficial.

It was Sidwell, but I don't get your comment. It's superficial for rich people to have nice clothes and look attractive and well groomed? Generally speaking, rich people go to expensive colleges. I just wasn't sure if the parents tended to flaunt it or if they are more understated.

That is a good question OP. Last year, we went to my dd's graduation from Princeton. (She had gone to a private school here). I had to go out and buy clothes for graduation because all I have is black clothes (I'm overweight by 40 pounds).

Yes, the parents at Princeton dress very well (that was graduation). I bought some new dresses (not black) for 4 days of graduation festivities.

I must say when we visited there otherwise, there were some well dressed parents and some who wore Yankees caps. I think you see all kinds just like anywhere else.

Anonymous wrote:Our DC went to a DC private with financial aid. For the most part the parents are all very attractive, well dressed/groomed and appear rich/upper middle class. For college our DC is going to a state school (OOS) and I noticed during "admitted student day" that there is clearly a lot of economic diversity, which is fine. I was just curious if the parents at Ivy's and other expensive colleges are mostly really well dressed and look wealthy. I assume they do. If you are one of them do you feel like you have to look your best and dress nicely when you go to your DC's school?

OP I just like to fit in. At our school that means significantly more dressed up and put together than at our public where everyone slops around in their elderly workout clothes and T shirts. So yes, I see dressing up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to JMU admitted students day (far cry from an IVY) and it seemed like over half the mom's had LV bags.

Because they have poor taste and were trying to impress, bless them.

Way to perpetuate the smug Ivy stereotype.

What private school OP? This is incredibly superficial.

Was just at Brown--we saw some of everything.

Anonymous wrote:Went to JMU admitted students day (far cry from an IVY) and it seemed like over half the mom's had LV bags.

Because they have poor taste and were trying to impress, bless them.

Anonymous wrote:OP - you sound like one of the most shallow people I have ever met.

1. Stop judging people by how they dress.
3. Stop thinking you might be judged by how you dress.

There. Now look at how much extra time you have to enjoy life and focus on more important matters.

Of course I and others are initially judged by what we wear. This is human nature. Try walking into a nice clothing store in cruddy clothes. It's naive to think otherwise. Of course these are only first impressions and hopefully people look beneath the surface. I know I do.

Anonymous wrote:OP - you sound like one of the most shallow people I have ever met.

1. Stop judging people by how they dress.
3. Stop thinking you might be judged by how you dress.

There. Now look at how much extra time you have to enjoy life and focus on more important matters.

Such as posting responses on DCUM, right?

Went to JMU admitted students day (far cry from an IVY) and it seemed like over half the mom's had LV bags.