Campus Visit...what to wear?

I plan on doing an overnight at a few military colleges. I've got one planned at Norwich at the end of March. Was just curious as what I should wear when going to classes, etc...I was thinking just a polo and kahkis?

I went to one at VMI and most people didnt even go that casual. polo and khakis would be good

My son interviewed at VMI and NGCSU. He wore khakis, button down shirt, and tie. He wore the same for his interview later on with local PMS for his scholarship interview.

My daughter toured Norwich. If you are just going for a tour, polo and khakis are fine. No hats. Norwich does have a what to wear link on their website if you want to look that up.

goldfarb1,

I always encourage students to wear clothes that they feel comfortable in. Too many times I have interveiwed students that spent more time worrying about their tie - or wearing high heels - than worrying about what they were saying during the interview.

Also - be prepared for what may be offered to you - in addition to an interview. An example - we try to offer the option of touring our 500 foot Training Ship KENNEDY to our prospective students/families. The problem - if folks do not have appropriate shoes - we cannot allow them onto the ship. If they had a change of of shoes - for example - sneakers - in their cars - they would have been allowed on board our ship.

If you are involved in any special program - i.e., Ccouts, JROTC, CAP, Sea Cadets - I encourage students to wear the uniforms of their special programs. Uniforms stand out!

Finally, what you wear is not going to greatly affect - one way or the other - your interview. What you want to avoid - is giving a bad first impression to the interviewer by wearing something in appropriate.

More importantly - try to make the best impression you can by looking good!

I wish you well through this process.

Fuji

Fuji said:

goldfarb1,

I always encourage students to wear clothes that they feel comfortable in. Too many times I have interveiwed students that spent more time worrying about their tie - or wearing high heels - than worrying about what they were saying during the interview.

Also - be prepared for what may be offered to you - in addition to an interview. An example - we try to offer the option of touring our 500 foot Training Ship KENNEDY to our prospective students/families. The problem - if folks do not have appropriate shoes - we cannot allow them onto the ship. If they had a change of of shoes - for example - sneakers - in their cars - they would have been allowed on board our ship.

If you are involved in any special program - i.e., Ccouts, JROTC, CAP, Sea Cadets - I encourage students to wear the uniforms of their special programs. Uniforms stand out!

Finally, what you wear is not going to greatly affect - one way or the other - your interview. What you want to avoid - is giving a bad first impression to the interviewer by wearing something in appropriate.

More importantly - try to make the best impression you can by looking good!

I wish you well through this process.

Fuji

Click to expand...

Proving that different folks have different opinions- I would agree with all of what Fuji has posted - with the exception that I would not - unless you are an active duty military member- go for a tour or interview at VMI in a JROTC or CAP etc... uniform. IMHO- but speaking from observation - the cadets who you may meet or see you walking thru the barracks will respond much more favorably to you in street clothes than they will in a uniform (unless you are a current enlisted).
And if you happen to be a current JROTC member- do not be confused about your relative rank vs the Cadet 4th class private as was the unfortunate young man who visited last year during an overnight and insisted that as a JROTC Cadet Captain he was entitled and expected a salute from the Cadet privates that he ran into. He had an enlightening overnight visit I understand
The rest of Fuji's comments are spot-on though.

What you want to avoid - is giving a bad first impression to the interviewer by wearing something in appropriate.

More importantly - try to make the best impression you can by looking good!

Click to expand...

Nobody will expect you to be in a 3 piece suit- but they will expect you to be neat, orderly and appropriate. Do that and then focus on what you want to say to them , and what you want to know from them. Interviews are not as easy for some folks as for others- so think about the things that you want to know about the school, the lifestyle, the academic program etc, and also think about what you want them to know about yourself. This is a chance not only to learn about the school but to make a good first impression as a thoughtful and mature person, so a little preparation is in order even for a basic informational visit.
Good luck!!

goldfarb1 said:

I plan on doing an overnight at a few military colleges. I've got one planned at Norwich at the end of March. Was just curious as what I should wear when going to classes, etc...I was thinking just a polo and kahkis?

Click to expand...

The most important thing when touring a campus is wearing shoes that are comfortable and sturdy as you will be walking a lot.

I also recommend asking admissions for suggestions. They don't bite.

goaliedad said:

The most important thing when touring a campus is wearing shoes that are comfortable and sturdy as you will be walking a lot.

I also recommend asking admissions for suggestions. They don't bite.

Click to expand...

Goaliedad,

Not only do we not bite...please find below a list of questions we give to all high school students who visit our office!

Fuji

*****

GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVES

• How much does your college cost for Tuition, Room and Board and all other expenses?
Answer:

• What kinds of Financial Aid are available and how do I apply for funding?
Answer:

• What military options are available and do I have to enlist in the military?
Answer:

• What specific courses do I need to take in order to be accepted to your college?
Answer:

• When should I apply for admission and how can I improve my chance of acceptance?
Answer:

• How does your college use standardized tests (SAT/ACT) in evaluating applicants for admission?
Answer:

• Can I stay overnight and are there Open Houses so my family may visit?
Answer:

• Do I have to declare an academic major as soon as I apply?
Answer:

• What types of Cooperative Education and Internship programs are available?
Answer:

• What makes your college unique and different from other colleges?
Answer:

"Proving that different folks have different opinions- I would agree with all of what Fuji has posted - with the exception that I would not - unless you are an active duty military member- go for a tour or interview at VMI in a JROTC or CAP etc... uniform. IMHO- but speaking from observation - the cadets who you may meet or see you walking thru the barracks will respond much more favorably to you in street clothes than they will in a uniform (unless you are a current enlisted).
And if you happen to be a current JROTC member- do not be confused about your relative rank vs the Cadet 4th class private as was the unfortunate young man who visited last year during an overnight and insisted that as a JROTC Cadet Captain he was entitled and expected a salute from the Cadet privates that he ran into. He had an enlightening overnight visit I understand
The rest of Fuji's comments are spot-on though."

Bruno,

Thanks for - mostly - agreeing with me! I have gone back and forth on my feelings about high school students wearing their JROTC/Sea Cadet/CAP/Etc.. uniform during a visit...

I believe that if a student really is involved in their unit - they should show off their involvement - by wearing their uniform. That being said - we are one of the few colleges that require all of it's undergraduate population to be in uniform - so - maybe we have a little different perspective on things.

Have I heard JROTC/Sea Cadets/CAP students say stupid things in regards to their "rank/position within their unit?" Yes - and that, too, is a part of the interview process.

I want a JROTC/Sea Cadet/CAP student to be proud of their unit - whether or not they wear their uniform during their visit - however, when I have a whole bunch of high school students visiting campus with their friends and families...and one of them is in a uniform...which one do you think I reach out to to meet personally?!

Fuji

Fuji said:

Goaliedad,

Not only do we not bite...please find below a list of questions we give to all high school students who visit our office!

Fuji

*****

GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVES

• How much does your college cost for Tuition, Room and Board and all other expenses?
Answer:

• What kinds of Financial Aid are available and how do I apply for funding?
Answer:

• What military options are available and do I have to enlist in the military?
Answer:

• What specific courses do I need to take in order to be accepted to your college?
Answer:

• When should I apply for admission and how can I improve my chance of acceptance?
Answer:

• How does your college use standardized tests (SAT/ACT) in evaluating applicants for admission?
Answer:

• Can I stay overnight and are there Open Houses so my family may visit?
Answer:

• Do I have to declare an academic major as soon as I apply?
Answer:

• What types of Cooperative Education and Internship programs are available?
Answer:

• What makes your college unique and different from other colleges?
Answer:

Click to expand...

Fuji- I'm going to try and make this bit a "sticky"- it's a great little reminder for kids going to visit a school that they will get a lot more out of the visit if they ask a few questions!

With due respect to Fuji, I'm going to have to side with my fellow Keydet on the JROTC/CAP/Boy Scouts/Whatever uniform question. At least at VMI, if you show up for a campus tour/overnight in the JROTC uniform that makes you look like General Patton, you are not going to impress the cadets who are already at the Institute. To the contrary, it will make you stand out in a negative way. Things may have changed since I graduated 11 years ago; however, the guys that came for tours in CAP/JROTC outfits were pretty much universally mocked (and sometimes, unfortunately, openly). I'm sure that the JROTC/CAP uniform is something to be proud of, but it isn't the best choice when visiting VMI. A prospective cadet should remember, that while they have every reason to be proud of high school accomplishments, that those really don't mean a lot once you are at the SMC/SA. Admissions might look at this differently, as Fuji points out. Thus, if you must wear the JROTC uniform for an interview, I suggest a change of clothes before entering the Barracks. It will really save you a lot of grief. Remember, some of the Rats/Thirds that are showing you around will be Cadre Corporals next year, and it is not wise to enter into their memory bank in a bad way.

On a side note, a brief story from my cadet days. It was a Spring afternoon (a Thursday, maybe) and I was walking to an Ac. building with one of my BRs. We happened to walk by a CAP "Major" (not a student, but an adult leader who was waiting for some of his charges to get a tour) who attempted to dress us down for not rendering a salute. I politely explained to the gentleman that such an act will occur only when ice hockey is played in the deepest pits of Hell.

Sprog,

Thanks for your reply - and for sharing you story!

In response;

I have no doubt that the cadets at Massachusetts Maritime would give a second and third look at a high school student on tour if they wore a uniform of any kind. My hope is that our cadets would not assume anything about the student. Now - if the student went and said something stupid - then...all best are off!

I also would hope that if the student wore - for example - an NJROTC uniform...one of our cadets who where NJROTC while in high school would reach out and greet that student.

As for the CAP Adult Officer you mentioned (and not assuming anything - but - have met some JROTC/Sea Cadet/Coast Guard Auxiliary Adult Officers that you could easily substitute into your story) maybe this is a difference in VMI training vs the Norwich training I got - but, learned a long time ago - if it moves - salute it.

Fuji

VMI folks don't salute CAP/Sea Scouts (isn't that boy scouts? just curious) or anyone other than uniformed faculty (the Virginia Militia...an interesting group) or Active Duty/Reserve/National Guard/Foreign Military officers. Also, we do not salute cadets of higher rank (even as Rats).

WOW! Lot's of good advice! Except from that Fuji guy at Mass Maritime...who graduated from Norwich in '84!

My recommendation is that you come dressed comfortably...shoes are a biggie...as we have a few hills around Norwich.

No jeans! Khakis and a polo are fine...shirt and a tie are fine. Your choice...but you will walking quite a bit.

For an even better answer call Mrs. Nicole Warner at (802) 485-2053 and she will tell you what to wear. If you are planning to spend the night...she will be mailing you a Packing list with your confirmation letter.

Best regards...and look forward to meeting you!

bruno said:

And if you happen to be a current JROTC member- do not be confused about your relative rank vs the Cadet 4th class private as was the unfortunate young man who visited last year during an overnight and insisted that as a JROTC Cadet Captain he was entitled and expected a salute from the Cadet privates that he ran into. He had an enlightening overnight visit I understand.

Click to expand...

CRIPES!

I was a leader within the cadet government and I helped out a lot with the open houses because I was good friends with the Regimental S-5 Captain. We went room to room on the fourth stoop looking for that kid because we thought we were going to need to provide body guards after he tried flaming some Fourths who had just finished the Ratline!

Whatever you do, don't be stupid, no matter what you're wearing.

But if you absolutely must wear your CAP/JROTC/USNSCC/Young Marines/USACC/military high school/whatever uniform... do yourself and the cadet program you represent a favor by ensuring that it is positively immaculate.

I used to like the statement we used a lot when addressing Rooks (freshmen cadets) at Norwich;

"The only people you lowly Rooks outrank - are high school JROTC Commanding Officers!

Fuji

I would wear galoshes. Its very wet here.