Any advice for interviewing at reach schools?

[FISTMCLARGEHUGE]

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Have you ever worked in a factory before doing manual labor? Have you ever had someone close to you suffer with an illness because they cant afford health insurance? Have you ever dealt with family members who are addicted to drugs? Don't call me elitist when you know nothing about me. I am far from elitist. My point is, that these small things DO matter and they DO influence others perceptions of you. If you have ever been significantly overweight before and then lost the weight you will know the way people treat you, from all walks of life, is radically different. You may not get rejected for "minor" fashion mistakes but I will bet the farm that it will leave a bad first impression. In any case, you are free to disagree with me. Thats fine and its normal to have different opinions as to what constitutes minor and major. If you resort to ad hominem attacks because someone does not agree with you, then that says something about you.

If you want to see a place where dress down to the last detail is pretty much overtly mentioned, look at Mayo.

Suck it up?
The problem with relying on the "my life is worse" justification for your arguments is that you'll never win that competition. Trust me youd be surprised what the person who never brings it up has gone through and they will still treat everyone they meet equally. Despite how common this dumb trend is becoming.

 

[Cornfed101]

Damn I guess the dude at one of my interviews who wore a 3 button suit (and keep all of them buttoned at all times) + khakis got instantly rejected 🤣

He wore a sport coat and khakis? I don't agree with 90% of the stuff spuding has been saying, but you can't show up to a med school interview dressed like a car salesman. If I were interviewing him I would question his judgment...

 

[deleted987519]

I knew there was a reason I put spuding on ignore awhile ago...

 

[deleted976595]

He wore a sport coat and khakis? I don't agree with 90% of the stuff spuding has been saying, but you can't show up to a med school interview dressed like a car salesman. If I were interviewing him I would question his judgment...

Yeah it’s a very egregious example but from interacting with the guy I could tell he really didn’t know any better

 

[Cornfed101]

Yeah that part actually was bad. I clued him in to only buttoning the middle on a 3-button suit but didn’t say anything about the khakis because I didn’t want to stress the poor guy out

The rule for a 3 button suit is "sometimes, always, never" from top to bottom. 2 button suits are preferred though, with the top always being buttoned, and the bottom never. Unbutton your suit when you sit down too, mostly so you don't break your buttons...

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Just my two cents, during MMI's at a T10 school I had an interviewer say "Wow, that sucks to have to keep unbuttoning your suit when you sit down every 6 minutes". So that tells me either A. She noticed that my suit was unbuttoned correctly or B. She thought it was ridiculous that I had to keep on doing it per etiquette, or A and B.

 

[Cornfed101]

Just my two cents, during MMI's at a T10 school I had an interviewer say "Wow, that sucks to have to keep unbuttoning your suit when you sit down every 6 minutes". So that tells me either A. She noticed that my suit was unbuttoned correctly or B. She thought it was ridiculous that I had to keep on doing it per etiquette, or A and B.

haha first world problems... I have to say buttoning and unbuttoning a suit is not very hard compared to the actual interview

 

[Orangekiwi]

 

[Kardio]

I knew there was a reason I put spuding on ignore awhile ago...

I will follow your lead and spare my myocardium further damage.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

haha first world problems... I have to say buttoning and unbuttoning a suit is not very hard compared to the actual interview

Was a little annoying when you're carrying the notepad they give you and a pen. But first world problems for sure.

 

[Cornfed101]

So OP, here is the advice from this thread for interviewing at reach schools:

• Be confident and read stuff that Goro has posted
• Be yourself (but don't be yourself if you are a dick)
• Don't wear any ties or socks or laces that may be mistaken for a power-play
• Wear specific tie/shirt combos that won't offend someone or get you thrown in jail
• DON'T WEAR KHAKIS (unless you are applying to the State Farm School of Medicine)
• Know button etiquette

Did I miss anything?

 

[rdyotz]

Guess I need to buy new shoelaces before my mayo interview. Thanks for the info.

I would instead choose not to wear white shoes/shoelaces.

 

[907914]

I thought they always never rule for buttons was regardless of whether you’re sitting or standing? I’ve just had my top button on my two bodysuit always buttoned up. I don’t really have the waist line to have to worry about breaking the buttons when I sit down, but should I have been unbuttoning my suit?

Again, I don’t think it’s going to make or break an interview and I don’t really care as much as the paragraph left on, but I suppose it would be nice to know.

 

[Kardio]

I thought they always never rule for buttons was regardless of whether you’re sitting or standing? I’ve just had my top button on my two bodysuit always buttoned up. I don’t really have the waist line to have to worry about breaking the buttons when I sit down, but should I have been unbuttoning my suit?

Again, I don’t think it’s going to make or break an interview and I don’t really care as much as the paragraph left on, but I suppose it would be nice to know.

Formally, I believe it's unbuttoned when sitting and buttoned while standing.

Just to flex, I'm usually unbuttoned (even while standing)

 

[deleted976595]

I thought they always never rule for buttons was regardless of whether you’re sitting or standing? I’ve just had my top button on my two bodysuit always buttoned up. I don’t really have the waist line to have to worry about breaking the buttons when I sit down, but should I have been unbuttoning my suit?

Again, I don’t think it’s going to make or break an interview and I don’t really care as much as the paragraph left on, but I suppose it would be nice to know.

Yes you should always undo your suit button before sitting. It’s not a huge deal though if you don’t, just a formality

 

[907914]

Yes you should always undo your suit button before sitting. It’s not a huge deal though if you don’t, just a formality

Why is the wording “always, never” then? That is confusing

 

[deleted976595]

Why is the wording “always, never” then? That is confusing

It’s for when you DO have them buttoned, you always do the top (or middle in 3-button) and never the bottom. It’s indeed a bit confusing

 

[907914]

It’s for when you DO have them buttoned, you always do the top (or middle in 3-button) and never the bottom. It’s indeed a bit confusing

Certainly not common sense

 

[deleted972488]

I’ve just had my top button on my two bodysuit always buttoned up. I don’t really have the waist line to have to worry about breaking the buttons when I sit down, but should I have been unbuttoning my suit?

I have been doing the same.

 

[Cornfed101]

Certainly not common sense

Well, maybe not for some. When I was born, I was wearing a two-piece gray suit that was appropriately buttoned, although the birthing process did necessitate some serious dry-cleaning.

 

[LizzyM]

Could the gentleman wearing khakis have had his luggage lost by the airline and didn't feel it necessary to inform his fellow applicants?

 

[deleted976595]

Could the gentleman wearing khakis have had his luggage lost by the airline and didn't feel it necessary to inform his fellow applicants?

Definitely possible which is part of the reason I didn’t say anything to him about it

 

[GloballyMed]

Never knew a thread about a button could be so entertaining. SDN never fails to amaze

 

[deleted804295]

I have made up my mind. I will wear my red tie to my first interview. TRY AND REJECT ME ADCOMS

Surprisingly I have seen worse. Some applicants clearly don't skim SDN because I have seen suit colors that do not conform to the navy/black/gray rule.

These applicants truly stood out.

 

[deleted804295]

What kind of suit colors? I know somebody who wore a blue-ish suit and still got into top 20 schools.

I wanna see if anybody goes in wearing a white suit tho, now that would be epic

I saw a suit that was near white and another individual wearing a dark red suit. I'm not sure what they were thinking.

 

[Engrailed]

Curious if you guys have seen women wearing non blue/gray/black suits on the interview trail?

 

[LizzyM]

Curious if you guys have seen women wearing non blue/gray/black suits on the interview trail?

I do recall a URM candidate who was wearing what I'd call a "church suit". It was pink boucle with black braid, IRRC. The kind of suit that some ladies wear to church... I don't recall whether she was offered admission.

I've also seen some women wearing full length skirts or coats with headscarves which is a very specific cultural/religious thing and not something someone would be penalized for.

 

[Cornfed101]

Curious if you guys have seen women wearing non blue/gray/black suits on the interview trail?

I have seen at least one guy wear a light blue suit with brown shoes at all 3 of the interviews I have attended.

Women seem to understand the conservative memo a little more. Also, I am shocked at how many people show up with 1-2 day facial hair. Full beard is fine in my opinion. 1-2 day scruff? That's lazy.

 

[Idahomie]

Also, I am shocked at how many people show up with 1-2 day facial hair. Full beard is fine in my opinion. 1-2 day scruff? That's lazy.

E S T H E T I C

But also sometimes people have bad electric razors that make you look like you have 5 o'clock shadow right after shaving

 

[Cornfed101]

E S T H E T I C

But also sometimes people have bad electric razors that make you look like you have 5 o'clock shadow right after shaving

Sorry, maybe I meant to say 3-7 day scruff? Everyone grows facial hair at different rates. This is what I mean:

 

[Idahomie]

Sorry, maybe I meant to say 3-7 day scruff? Everyone grows facial hair at different rates. This is what I mean:

View attachment 280544

Damn, that's like a month of work for me. Now I'm just upset at my inferiority :/

 

[907914]

Damn, that's like a month of work for me. Now I'm just upset at my inferiority :/

You are one of the folks who should almost certainly shave then.

I have thicker growing powers then that, but even still I am borderline on the beard quality for interviews i think but it is professional and maintained enough not to raise any red flags:

 

[Cornfed101]

You are one of the folks who should almost certainly shave then.

I have thicker growing powers then that, but even still I am borderline on the beard quality for interviews i think but it is professional and maintained enough not to raise any red flags:

Please tell me you were wearing a Batman cowl in the top half of this picture

 

[907914]

Please tell me you were wearing a Batman cowl in the top half of this picture

Nah, I did have a massive cowlick in the front though. The picture was just kinda to show how a beard can look OK for interview day.

 

[Idahomie]

You are one of the folks who should almost certainly shave then.

I have thicker growing powers then that, but even still I am borderline on the beard quality for interviews i think but it is professional and maintained enough not to raise any red flags:

That tie looks awfully close to red. Real power move stuff right there.

 

[907914]

Beard, maroon/red tie, didn’t unbutton the top button when I sat down, pinstripes.

All sorts of unprofessional

That tie looks awfully close to red. Real power move stuff right there.
View attachment 280561

 

[deleted804295]

You are one of the folks who should almost certainly shave then.

I have thicker growing powers then that, but even still I am borderline on the beard quality for interviews i think but it is professional and maintained enough not to raise any red flags:

King of self doxx

 

[premed20172017]

King of self doxx

If you can identify him based on his mouth and chin, then you have special powers hahah

 

[electropartyogram]

If you are going to have a beard like that during an interview, I would suggest you trim the lines so the sides are even and clean. It's easy to clean up the edges with a razor in the morning.

 

[notsobabydoc]

I am really late to this conversation. I'd like to give a little bit of my two cents, since I have interviewed plenty 23-25 year olds for jobs. I really don't care that much about their ties or suits, because you will learn as you get older. What I care about is whether they look professional. They don't have to wear the most expensive suit and have the best color scheme. I just like to see them passable. However, when it comes to interviewing people for a higher-level job, I care about how put together they are. I assume med-school interviews are more like entry-level job interviews, suits and ties don't matter as long as you don't look sloppy.