Do professors care what you wear in class? Forum

[DaRascal]

I'm just wondering because one of my professors put down in his syllabus that if he cold calls a person and that person doesn't provide a thoughtful response that shows that he or she spent a lot of time thinking over the reading for that day that it could negatively influence the student's grade at the end of the semester.


I've been dressing nicely to this point, but I have my first full week of classes starting tomorrow and I'm tempted to go in with a t-shirt, gym shorts, and a backward baseball cap. Could this really hurt my 1L grades?

[mt2165]

Won't affect your grade. Wear what you want, fuck the haters

[DaRascal]

Haha ok then. Do they mind if you change seats during the semester? My section is small and I might feel like sitting up front one day, way in the back another day, and next to the cutest girl in the room the next day.

[nothingtosee]

[snagglepuss]

One professor gave me two extra points on the final because he appreciated my spread collars.

[rnoodles]

One professor gave me two extra points on the final because he appreciated my spread collars.

I had one pull me aside and tell me never to come to class again because I just earned an A+ for wearing the Borat swimsuit to class.

[hdunlop]

Your question is about grades and the answer is no it doesn't matter, but if you want professors to write letters for you it might help if they can truthfully say you demonstrated your maturity in class. Wearing a backwards baseball cap in public does not demonstrate maturity. I judge anyone in gym shorts harshly but that's debatable. T-shirts are clearly reasonable.

[pancakes3]

def

[chuckbass]

Your question is about grades and the answer is no it doesn't matter, but if you want professors to write letters for you it might help if they can truthfully say you demonstrated your maturity in class. Wearing a backwards baseball cap in public does not demonstrate maturity. I judge anyone in gym shorts harshly but that's debatable. T-shirts are clearly reasonable.

Lol wut?

[hdunlop]

Ask ur dad

[hairbear7]

I judge anyone in gym shorts harshly but that's debatable.

really

[hdunlop]

Well not at the gym

[zot1]

I've worn anything from basketball shorts to suits (mostly because I had somewhere to go after like clinic or an interview) and definitely baseball hats. Have never been judged for it and was never denied a rec letter because I wore what I did. Don't overthink it--unless your professor is an adjunct (judge or law firm partner).

[hdunlop]

Certainly not saying it would cost you a letter, just saying it might cost you a sentence in one.

And that I would judge you for wearing a hat inside and wearing gym shorts to not the gym, which I added because there's too many slobs on this bort.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Hopefully a prof will actually judge a student on their work, not their appearance in class.

[hdunlop]

Hopefully.

[lavarman84]

Haha ok then. Do they mind if you change seats during the semester? My section is small and I might feel like sitting up front one day, way in the back another day, and next to the cutest girl in the room the next day.

They'll either have a seating chart or they won't. If they don't have one, they won't care where you sit.

Wear what you want to class. Be comfortable.

Certainly not saying it would cost you a letter, just saying it might cost you a sentence in one.

And that I would judge you for wearing a hat inside and wearing gym shorts to not the gym, which I added because there's too many slobs on this bort.

I wear t-shirt and gym shorts to class every day unless I have to be in a suit. I've received outstanding letters of recommendation from professors. Shockingly, they couldn't care less about what you wear to class (unless you show up nude or in a thong...never tried that) if you are respectful, work hard, and do well in their class.

I am happy to be a "slob." I will have 40+ years of work where I'll have to dress nicely. I'm going to enjoy dress down time while I still have it.