The average proom night can add up to hundreds of dollars before the night even begins. This year, students expect to spend hundreds on McLean’s “Enchanted Forest” themed prom on Friday, April 17. Between tickets, outfits, transportation and getting ready, what’s supposed to be fun and memorable can become financially unreasonable.
For many students, cost becomes a big issue, and students spend anywhere from $100 to over $600. In a poll of 10 senior girls, each of them said they spend $75 for a ticket, up to $300 for a dress, $60-90 for transportation, $25 for dinner and around $30 for accessories. On top of that, optional expenses such as hair and nails can add another $150.
“There is no reason that the tickets should be $75,” senior Julie Daniel said. “The experience of prom is something I’m willing to spend money on because I can make memories, but there could be lower ticket prices.”
This raises concerns about the exclusivity of prom, and whether the night has become more about spending than having fun. When costs are high, some students feel pressure to spend more because of an expectation to participate fully, and others may choose to just not attend at all.
Beyond money, this year the date of prom has become another major frustration. Traditionally, students spend the day of the dance getting ready together, going out for breakfast or brunch, and enjoying the full experience with friends. This year, with prom being on a Friday, there is a day of school disrupting student plans.
“I really don’t like it because normally I am able to enjoy the entire day with my friends and all get brunch together,” Daniel said. “I feel like it being on a school day gets in the way of that, and if I go to school for the full day there is no way I would be able to get ready on time.”
Prom being on a Friday is pushing students towards the unintended solution of leaving school early, or not even going at all. Students could miss crucial classes and schoolwork, however feel they need that time to prepare for prom.
“Usually on dance days my friends and I have an entire day planned. Prom being on a Friday when we have school just doesn’t give us enough time to get ready or do all the things that we want to do for our senior prom,” senior Raha Golshani said. “Because of this, my friends and I are all probably going to have to skip school that Friday, which just causes us to miss schoolwork, putting us behind.”
The intent of prom is to celebrate the end of high school and create memories with your friends. But as prices get higher and scheduling more complicated, not every student feels that the experience is easy to be a part of. If attending prom now requires hundreds of dollars and skipping school, students wonder if it’s really still as special as advertised.
“I think that in life you face adversity and I feel like this is one of those times we should overcome it,” senior Addison Ward said. “Prom is one of these things you’re going to remember for the rest of your life, and I think that one day of school is worth missing.”
