What to wear to a daily orientation visit?

grit7435

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
10
Hello everyone, I will be attending a daily orientation visit in November and I am wondering what to wear. I know I need to dress formally but I am unsure what exactly that means. I have found a dress code online by west point which says the following: "Casual Civilian: Slacks or skirt with polo or buttoned shirt" or "Formal Civilian: Long dress or formal pants suit". I have taken these into account but I have also heard/seen photos of other young women wearing non collared shirts. I don't have any collared shirts right now but I do have slacks. Would it be appropriate to wear a formal non collared blouse with slacks? Also jacket wise, I am wondering whether I should wear a more formal peacoat or a more practical winter marmot jacket.

Thank you for your help!
 
If you are going for an orientation visit...and are a high school junior or applying senior, then also write to you admissions counselor and let him know--so you can schedule a face-to-face sit down. You will spend the majority of your visit sitting and watching a video and then hearing the admissions briefing before a quick tour. Then, if you are have scheduled to meet with your admissions counselor, you may go back to the Admissions building and meet with him or her. I am not sure what a non-collared formal blouse might look like--but you could wear a nice sweater or a turleneck (do people still wear those) and slacks. Just do not wear jeans and a t-shirt. You will see some kids in suits and ties--and others in khaki slacks and a shirt with a collar. Don't sweat the coat--you will be taking that off and carrying it. If you have a formal peacoat and wearing it will up your game and make you feel more adult, more confident--then wear it but if it is going to be 20 degrees...be kind to yourself and wear the heavy warm jacket.

Do not wear jeans. Do not wear a t-shirt. Make sure you do not have purple hair, a nose ring, a neck tattoo, nothing too glittery...

Again, the secret is to not just do the admissions orientation and tour--but make sure you schedule time with your admissions counselor.

Last, the check in lady at Admissions will offer you a t-shirt, a lanyard, and a mug. Take the mug--it is the best West Point mug anywhere!
Good luck.
 
Dress formally. I went on an overnight visit and impressed the Cadets and Staff there. To my surprise, they told me that CCs (Cadet Candidates) often come to visit in informal clothing and that it was refreshing to see someone dress nicely. I tore my dress while I was there because it was too small, as I am a Powerlifter and the dress I brought was s little old...make sure everything fits! Bring althetics just in case the Plebe you're shadowing has an athletic practice. They might let you do something, but probably not too much.

I hope you found this helpful.
 
I just returned from an overnight. All the girls were dressed very similar. Dress pants or khaki and a sweater.
 
About the coat - if you are going during the winter - choose something warm. It gets very cold/windy at West Point and you'll be miserable if you aren't dressed for the weather. Also choose comfortable shoes as you will likely walk a fair amount. No high heeled (If you are female) dress shoes as you may get quite uncomfortable walking on the WP terrain. You'll be hard pressed to over dress but you can definitely underdress - don't underdress. If money is an issue, go to a thrift store and pick up some dressier things. You will be going on college interviews and you will need this kind of clothing so now is a good time to add this kind of clothing to your wardrobe.
 
If you are going for an orientation visit...and are a high school junior or applying senior, then also write to you admissions counselor and let him know--so you can schedule a face-to-face sit down. You will spend the majority of your visit sitting and watching a video and then hearing the admissions briefing before a quick tour. Then, if you are have scheduled to meet with your admissions counselor, you may go back to the Admissions building and meet with him or her. I am not sure what a non-collared formal blouse might look like--but you could wear a nice sweater or a turleneck (do people still wear those) and slacks. Just do not wear jeans and a t-shirt. You will see some kids in suits and ties--and others in khaki slacks and a shirt with a collar. Don't sweat the coat--you will be taking that off and carrying it. If you have a formal peacoat and wearing it will up your game and make you feel more adult, more confident--then wear it but if it is going to be 20 degrees...be kind to yourself and wear the heavy warm jacket.

Do not wear jeans. Do not wear a t-shirt. Make sure you do not have purple hair, a nose ring, a neck tattoo, nothing too glittery...

Again, the secret is to not just do the admissions orientation and tour--but make sure you schedule time with your admissions counselor.

Last, the check in lady at Admissions will offer you a t-shirt, a lanyard, and a mug. Take the mug--it is the best West Point mug anywhere!
Good luck.


Ma'am, thank you for your advice. I did get a chance to have a face to face sit down with my admissions counselor and it was incredibly rewarding. Also, you were correct in the range of sophistication in the cadet candidates and about the mug! Again, thank you for your help!
PS: Turtlenecks are making a bit of a comeback!
 
About the coat - if you are going during the winter - choose something warm. It gets very cold/windy at West Point and you'll be miserable if you aren't dressed for the weather. Also choose comfortable shoes as you will likely walk a fair amount. No high heeled (If you are female) dress shoes as you may get quite uncomfortable walking on the WP terrain. You'll be hard pressed to over dress but you can definitely underdress - don't underdress. If money is an issue, go to a thrift store and pick up some dressier things. You will be going on college interviews and you will need this kind of clothing so now is a good time to add this kind of clothing to your wardrobe.

Thank you for your response! It was a little chilly at 40 degrees but it was not as cold as I thought it would be. It was, however, very windy. Shoe wise, I went with nicer boots which were comfortable to walk in which was lucky as we did end up walking a fair amount. Thanks for the advice!
 
I just returned from an overnight. All the girls were dressed very similar. Dress pants or khaki and a sweater.

Thanks for the response! I did end up wearing nice pants, sweater and necklace. Best of luck 2022!
 
Dress formally. I went on an overnight visit and impressed the Cadets and Staff there. To my surprise, they told me that CCs (Cadet Candidates) often come to visit in informal clothing and that it was refreshing to see someone dress nicely. I tore my dress while I was there because it was too small, as I am a Powerlifter and the dress I brought was s little old...make sure everything fits! Bring althetics just in case the Plebe you're shadowing has an athletic practice. They might let you do something, but probably not too much.

I hope you found this helpful.

This was very helpful! I wore a sweater and slacks because of the colder weather but I'm sure a dress would've been great for warmer months. I didn't get to participate in any athletics but I did get to watch an IOCT take place which was really awesome! Good luck 2022!
 
Well done @trev21
Thank you for the feedback. I hope it went well. Best wishes for a successful completion to your admissions process. Fingers crossed and prayers said and Go Army!
 
Back
Top