Couldn’t wear a suit jacket to my latest interview. Am I doomed to be waitlisted or rejected at this point?

[user85800]

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A pen exploded all over my only suit jacket the morning of my interview. I made the decision to just stick with my dress shirt and tie as there was no real way to hide the stains.

Overall, the atmosphere was very relaxed with the admissions staff making lots of jokes, but almost every other candidate had a full suit and tie. I did notice however that none of the male admissions staff including the director of admissions had a full suit and tie and neither did my interviewers, with the faculty member being a very young guy in his early 30s. I felt that both my student and faculty interview went very well and no one mentioned my lack of a suit jacket. I opted not to explain anything about what happened as I worried that drawing any more attention to my attire would be a bad thing.

Be honest- how much did this impact my chances? Should I email my interviewers or admissions and explain my lack of a suit jacket, or does that just seem neurotic? Both of them commended me throughout my interview and gave me about as close of a confirmation as I think they were able that they would be recommending me.

 

[Goro]

Did you tell the Dean of Admissions or their staff? This is the type of thing one does before the interview, not after.

 

[user85800]

Did you tell the Dean of Admissions or their staff? This is the type of thing one does before the interview, not after.

I had no time unfortunately. It literally happened as I was writing a few notes immediately prior to the zoom call.

 

[Goro]

I had no time unfortunately. It literally happened as I was writing a few notes immediately prior to the zoom call.

Email the Dean and explain. You'll be OK.

People have interviewed in street clothes because in the pre-ZOOM days, airlines lost their luggage. They did fine

 

[LelouchLamperouge]

A pen exploded all over my only suit jacket the morning of my interview. I made the decision to just stick with my dress shirt and tie as there was no real way to hide the stains.

Overall, the atmosphere was very relaxed with the admissions staff making lots of jokes, but almost every other candidate had a full suit and tie. I did notice however that none of the male admissions staff including the director of admissions had a full suit and tie and neither did my interviewers, with the faculty member being a very young guy in his early 30s. I felt that both my student and faculty interview went very well and no one mentioned my lack of a suit jacket. I opted not to explain anything about what happened as I worried that drawing any more attention to my attire would be a bad thing.

Be honest- how much did this impact my chances? Should I email my interviewers or admissions and explain my lack of a suit jacket, or does that just seem neurotic? Both of them commended me throughout my interview and gave me about as close of a confirmation as I think they were able that they would be recommending me.

You could have jokingly brought it up when they asked you how you were doing. I mean, at this point, I'm not sure how much it matters compared to the quality of your interview

 

[LizzyM]

With the Zoom interviews, I don't notice what people are wearing unless it is an off the shoulder sequined top or a basketball jersey. (Neither of which I've ever seen at an interview, btw). Shirt and tie would not cause me to raise an eyebrow. Let it go; I think that you'll be fine.

 

[user85800]

With the Zoom interviews, I don't notice what people are wearing unless it is an off the shoulder sequined top or a basketball jersey. (Neither of which I've ever seen at an interview, btw). Shirt and tie would not cause me to raise an eyebrow. Let it go; I think that you'll be fine.

Thank you. That makes me feel a lot better!

 

[sardinetoast]

I think you will be fine! I wouldn't worry.

Also, this is why I neurotically bought two suit jackets. I was so worried I would ruin one lol. It sucked to spend the money but it's nice to have the security of a backup

 

[Mr.Smile12]

 

[Punkchique]

Wait… do interviewers actually care about whether or not someone is wearing a suit jacket? I mean, look professional, sure. But a jacket specifically?

This seems super outdated, no?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Wait… do interviewers actually care about whether or not someone is wearing a suit jacket? I mean, look professional, sure. But a jacket specifically?

This seems super outdated, no?

Yes. We care. But if you told the admissions team, you'll be okay.

Good, tailored professional suits are never outdated. But (points back up to the tan suit meme.)

You can take off your suit jacket once you have to wear your white coat.

 

[MDMechEngr]

A nice slim tailored suit, good looks and charisma will add 5 points to your MCAT.

 

[eigen]

I'm just going to add in that a recent training for interviewers at a medical school where I occasionally help out as an external evaluator, we were all explicitly told not to pay attention to or comment on how students were dressed, as it has very obvious ties to a lot of different categories related to implicit biases and isn't relevant to interview performance.

I think you're going to be fine, and to be perfectly honest if having a shirt and tie but no jacket is what gets you not admitted? Maybe that's not a place you want to be anyway.