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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.