Away rotation: Pack a suit?

[buffywannabe]

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I am currently getting ready for my first away rotation starting Monday. My roommate was just on surgery and mentioned to me that a student doing an away right now at our institution was unexpectedly interviewed (by like 5 faculty). She mentioned that maybe I should bring dress clothes or a suit just in case. Is this normal? I don't have an interview suit yet but I could buy one if this is the norm because I don't want to be completely surprised and under-dressed. I do intend to lose like 20lbs before interviews so if I bought a suit now I would probably have to buy another in Nov...
Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[DrBowtie]

I'd bring dress clothes. If they give courtesy interviews, they often will just interview you while there to avoid extra travel. You've been to the place, no need for the whole dog and pony show interview presentations.

 

[secants]

They interview even before the september submission date?

 

[buffywannabe]

They interview even before the september submission date?

That's what I thought! But apparently it happened... Now I am wondering if I should have a draft of my personal statement done. I have my CV pretty much ready. This seems a little crazy.

 

[Textbookversion]

This seems a little crazy.

You misspelled awesome. Why would I EVER want to fly back to an away rotation site, spend money on airfare, hotel, etc burn a couple of days I could be interviewing elsewhere all instead of just interviewing when doing the away rotation????

The faculty are doing a rational, appropriate favor to help candidates and you are like HURR DURR WHY.

Also the losing 20 lbs thing probably isn't realistic.

 

[buffywannabe]

Also the losing 20 lbs thing probably isn't realistic.

In 4 months it is totally doable. Hopefully you aren't going into primary care. MI isn't your strong suit.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Yes pack a suit.

On my away I scheduled an interview with the PD and chairman during the last few days.

There also happened to be a nice dinner with a visiting faculty that I was invited to.

Better to be prepared than be caught flatfooted.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

They interview even before the september submission date?

Yes. I know several people that were interviewed on aways during July and August.

 

[QuackaDO]

Yes. I know several people that were interviewed on aways during July and August.

Here's the key question though... was it a TRUE residency interview or was it just requesting to meet with the PD/chair at the end of the month for a sit down chat? I know just about everyone (well, at least everyone smart) asks to meet with the chair or the PD at the end of the month but I personally don't consider that a formal interview. Don't get me wrong, I would still dress up for it... I just don't think they (or I) look at it as a "we're just going to interview you now so you don't have to come back later" type of thing unless they specifically say "We'd like to offer you an interview and since you're here we'd like to do it now rather than ask you to come back in Nov/Dec/Jan". Point is, unless THEY specifically ask to meet with you and call it an interview (ie, it's not you requesting the meeting and it doesn't start with them saying something like "so what can I do for you?") I wouldn't consider it an interview and would think it's just an formalish type sit down to get to know you a bit better so they can then decide if they want you to come back or not. Agree or disagree?

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Here's the key question though... was it a TRUE residency interview or was it just requesting to meet with the PD/chair at the end of the month for a sit down chat? I know just about everyone (well, at least everyone smart) asks to meet with the chair or the PD at the end of the month but I personally don't consider that a formal interview. Don't get me wrong, I would still dress up for it... I just don't think they (or I) look at it as a "we're just going to interview you now so you don't have to come back later" type of thing unless they specifically say "We'd like to offer you an interview and since you're here we'd like to do it now rather than ask you to come back in Nov/Dec/Jan". Point is, unless THEY specifically ask to meet with you and call it an interview (ie, it's not you requesting the meeting and it doesn't start with them saying something like "so what can I do for you?") I wouldn't consider it an interview and would think it's just an formalish type sit down to get to know you a bit better so they can then decide if they want you to come back or not. Agree or disagree?

It was a true interview for the people I knew that had them. They certainly didn't have to fly back out there during interview season. One of my friends matched to a place that he interviewed at during his away in July.

 

[QuackaDO]

It was a true interview for the people I knew that had them. They certainly didn't have to fly back out there during interview season. One of my friends matched to a place that he interviewed at during his away in July.

Nice. I like the idea, just didn't know how pervasive it was for them to do that vs just do a sit down and chat. Good to hear though...

 

[survivordo]

Always bring a suit and dress clothes. You never know when you are going to have the opportunity to wear it, it's always better to be over dressed than underdressed.

Survivor DO

 

[PTPoeny]

Take a suit. You night needed it for something even if it isn't an interview. I was asked to give a grand rounds style talk for the department at an away rotation.

 

[kaleerkalut]

It was a true interview for the people I knew that had them. They certainly didn't have to fly back out there during interview season. One of my friends matched to a place that he interviewed at during his away in July.

When people do a sit-down with the PD that is NOT considered an interview, what does it usually consist of? I mean I feel like if they open with something like "what can I do for you?" it would seem odd to say "I wanted to stop by and introduce myself".

Maybe that would work + saying "I have a strong interest in the program for XYZ reason and would love to match here". Also, is it reasonable to ask how likely you are to match at that place?

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[tco]

When people do a sit-down with the PD that is NOT considered an interview, what does it usually consist of? I mean I feel like if they open with something like "what can I do for you?" it would seem odd to say "I wanted to stop by and introduce myself".

Maybe that would work + saying "I have a strong interest in the program for XYZ reason and would love to match here". Also, is it reasonable to ask how likely you are to match at that place?

Any thoughts appreciated.

You're basically going to be asking for a letter of recommendation.

I'm going to try to meet with mine early, establish that I'm interested in their program, that I hope to learn a lot and make a good impression, and that I'll likely be asking for a LOR at the end of the rotation. That way, they know it's coming and can make mental notes accordingly.