Admissions Event Dress Code

krovax

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I know this may seem a little bit nit picky but I definitely do not want to make a bad first impression. Does anyone know the dress codes for the admissions events? I was thinking of just going in with a white dress shirt and khakis as a sort of middle ground between formal and casual but don't want to end up looking like an idiot if everyone is dressed up formally.
 
I wore the exact attire you described and along with one other candidate was the most dressed up candidate at the event. You will be fine in a white shirt and khakis.
 
Your fear of being overdressed is definitely a youthful fear. As an adult, I've found that it's hard to be overdressed, short of going "black tie" for a casual event. Your choice sounds fine.
 
Okay thank you for the responses.

More than being overdressed I was worried about being underdressed, but I guess I have the jitters and being paranoid not to make a mistake.:wink:
 
Don't forget the top hat.

But kidding aside, I personally wear suit and tie to Academy Admissions events. There are military officers, nomination process staff, admissions staff, MOCs even. Unless you're actually told what to wear, of course.
 
At the Admissions events my cadet attended, a suit would be too much. A nice polo shirt tucked into pressed khaki pants was plenty at the ones he went to. There were never any MOCs at his events, just the Admissions officer and once there was a person on an MOC's nomination committee, but the MOC was not from our district. There were lots and lots of kids there so I don't think you need to overthink the outfit. At Service Academy Days it was the same thing, lots and lots of people talking to SA representatives and MOC staff members.

Did see a girl at one of the events wearing an SLS shirt tucked into very low-slung, tight pants. Not a good idea. Always saw lots of ROTC uniforms too but I'm not sure if that is necessary either.
 
At the Admissions events my cadet attended, a suit would be too much. A nice polo shirt tucked into pressed khaki pants was plenty at the ones he went to. There were never any MOCs at his events, just the Admissions officer and once there was a person on an MOC's nomination committee, but the MOC was not from our district. There were lots and lots of kids there so I don't think you need to overthink the outfit. At Service Academy Days it was the same thing, lots and lots of people talking to SA representatives and MOC staff members.

Did see a girl at one of the events wearing an SLS shirt tucked into very low-slung, tight pants. Not a good idea. Always saw lots of ROTC uniforms too but I'm not sure if that is necessary either.

JROTC uniforms are a tacky move, in my opinion. Just dress normally.
 
JROTC uniforms are a tacky move, in my opinion.

Agreed.

Yet there will always be kids that wear them. I distinctly remember several coming to VMI for visitation weekends with more medals than Patton.
 
Agreed.

Yet there will always be kids that wear them. I distinctly remember several coming to VMI for visitation weekends with more medals than Patton.

Oh we used to looooove when kids would show up for their WP visit with an ROTC uniform on. Classic times ensued.

In all seriousness, though, avoid it. It's a poor move.
 
The term I would use is business casual- Not dress, but not jeans either.

Neat Khakis with a presentable collared shirt depending on weather. Well groomed. IE: Don't have to have short hair, but it should be combed, shaved, etc. Until you have seen kids in PJ's & bedroom slippers at an event you won't understand. Same for boys in cut up Tshirts, flipflops and bed head.

While you may not see anyone but staffers, you may also see:
- Field force (very likely)
- Admissions reps (happened several times for my son)
- Key MOC staffers (nearly always in our area)

In all of these it's better to make a good impression. Not dressy, but neat and well groomed. which you could be in casual clothes even. Grooming probably counts more than clothes.

I would not underestimate the opportunity that can present itself in the academy days and admissions events. It's a chance to get a read on your background, associate a face/person with a name, and ideally, get an advocate batting for you. (Field force or admissions).

Same even for college fairs, though USMA did not show up at many. USNA & USCGA do in our area, and DS was put into NASS based on interaction with USNA rep at a college fair where he showed up in business casual with a resume, etc.

We believe connections made with field force and admissions at some of the USMA events helped DS with USMA as well.

I will add to the earlier comments, unless traveling as part of a jrotc group on a formal trip, the jrotc uniforms did not seem to go over as well. You can see some negative reactions. But much of that depends on the kid as well. Some jrotc applicants have an entitlement vibe which get's some negative reaction. So you can sidestep that by making sure you do not assume it gives you an edge, just make it part of your balanced package. (academics, leadership, physical, etc)
 
I meant if you could share a few of them, they must've been really funny!

Discretion is the better part of valor. If anyone really wants to know, I encourage them to wear a JROTC uniform to WP for a visit...
 
If anyone really wants to know, I encourage them to wear a JROTC uniform to WP for a visit...

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Nahh I'm kidding. They must be really bad...
 
I'll be honest, I wore a muddy t-shirt and some ratty athletic shorts, straight from the pitch. Didn't think much about it after I got done with soccer practice. :redface:
 
I'll be honest, I wore a muddy t-shirt and some ratty athletic shorts, straight from the pitch. Didn't think much about it after I got done with soccer practice. :redface:


Ok, candidates...as we say in the Army, that is NOT the approved solution.

Dress like you recognize that your future is the subject at hand.
 
Would ASU's be appropriate for enlisted applicants? Or maybe ACU's?

I don't really have appropriate "normal" clothes, ie. raggedy / baggy jeans with streetware shirts with a lot of color. In a sense, I feel like my normal clothes would set me apart even more than a simple uniform :frown:
 
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