Quick question......

Some of these FP interviews have dinners w/ the residents and/or faculty the night before the acutal interview. What is the dress code for dinners like these? Is it suit and tie or is it pants and a dress shirt type of thing?

When in doubt, ask. There's never any harm in asking. The smoothest way is to call them on the telephone to RSVP and then ask then.

"Hi just wanted to let you know that I'll be there." (At this time, if you know it's going to be at someone's house, ask if you can bring anything like a bottle of wine... In such an occasion, they usually say no). Then "oh just out of curiosity, what's the attire?" And they'll tell you. No one will laugh. "Ok thanks, see you there then."

Easy.

Pants and nice shirt, this is more of informal gathering.

I wore pants and a sweater. It was cold.