Dress Code for Away Rotations

[Got Em]

Sorry for this seemingly obvious thread. Anyway, I've been studying for Step 2 and forgot to ask the coordinators what the dress code was for lectures (leaving early in the morning).

I've heard that most places just require you to wear matching scrubs with/without white coat. However, are there any places that require you to dress business casual for lectures or other functions? I'd love to not bring any dress clothes/shoes. My aways are in the Northeast btw. Thanks!!

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[Angry Birds]

I would do business casual for lectures. Dress shirt. No tie and definitely no coat.

You're still a student, not a resident. So I wouldn't do scrubs at lecture.

EDIT: pants a good idea too.

 

[deleted547339]

I would do business casual for lectures. Dress shirt. No tie and definitely no coat.

You're still a student, not a resident. So I wouldn't do scrubs at lecture.

EDIT: pants a good idea too.

Agree, business casual until someone tells you otherwise.

 

[deleted720339]

I'm sure it is technically fine to skip the tie, but I'd throw it on for good measure. Some of the old school folks will notice and all of the details count when on an away. You can always take it off if it seems out of place. Northeast programs also tend to be a bit more formal. Good luck on Step 2.

 

[alpinism]

If you showed up to lectures in business causal at my program everyone would get a good laugh and we'd make fun of you the rest of the day.

Then again some EM programs are more chill than others.

 

[BoardingDoc]

I'm sure it is technically fine to skip the tie, but I'd throw it on for good measure. Some of the old school folks will notice and all of the details count when on an away. You can always take it off if it seems out of place. Northeast programs also tend to be a bit more formal. Good luck on Step 2.

Disagree completely. Interviewed at multiple NE programs. Only one struck me as the sort of place that a tie would be a pro and not a con.

 

[Angry Birds]

As you can see, business casual is the mid way point between tie and scrubs.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

Was told to dress casually for orientation, but at my school that means business casual. I'll break out the interview suit to be safe.

 

[exsanguination]

As you can see, business casual is the mid way point between tie and scrubs.

Safest approach BY FAR. At worst you're slightly overdressed in a good way, and then you can calibrate for the next conference (scrubs, jeans, suits/ties, whatever the norm ends up being).

I know higher level residents and attendings here like to do the whole "yea we would just laugh at you" but keep in mind the type of person who posts here. These guys tend to be laid back, and not the stuffy academic type, the latter of which I have totally seen all over the west coast (where I interviewed). Everybody likes to think it's all laid back in EM, and it actually is for the most part, but like in all specialties, the program leadership/administration tend to be a little stuffier than most and they're the ones making the rank list, NOT the chill nocturnist or the group of "cool" PGY3s.

Play it safe, EM is getting more competitive and while the "cowboy" allure definitely remains and was the ethos from which our specialty was created over 40 years ago, the difference is that now it's no longer full of outlier cowboys, but high achievers and type-A individuals.

 

[Angry Birds]

Safest approach BY FAR. At worst you're slightly overdressed in a good way, and then you can calibrate for the next conference (scrubs, jeans, suits/ties, whatever the norm ends up being).

I know higher level residents and attendings here like to do the whole "yea we would just laugh at you" but keep in mind the type of person who posts here. These guys tend to be laid back, and not the stuffy academic type, the latter of which I have totally seen all over the west coast (where I interviewed). Everybody likes to think it's all laid back in EM, and it actually is for the most part, but like in all specialties, the program leadership/administration tend to be a little stuffier than most and they're the ones making the rank list, NOT the chill nocturnist or the group of "cool" PGY3s.

Play it safe, EM is getting more competitive and while the "cowboy" allure definitely remains and was the ethos from which our specialty was created over 40 years ago, the difference is that now it's no longer full of outlier cowboys, but high achievers and type-A individuals.

Agreed 100%.

Plus, dress to impress. You can dress in scrubs when it doesn't matter. Honestly, as an attending, I wouldn't even attend a lecture at another hospital/university in scrubs. I'd go business casual.

And yeah, nobody laughs at business casual. Most people wear that every day, even ER guys. You don't usually go to an even slightly nice restaurant with the wife in less than that.

 

[gman33]

White coat and business casual.
Keep wearing that until someone tells you otherwise.

My PD would send you home from conference if you were not dressed appropriately.
No, I'm not kidding.

I couldn't care less what you wear, but that is not everyone. Some people will be pissed off that you are not wearing a tie.

 

[engineeredout]

As mentioned previously, white coat and dress is the safest bet until someone tells you differently. At our program scrubs are fine at lecture, but other places might feel differently.

I also know of one program that makes you wear dress clothes in the ER

 

[mega_colon]

I also know of one program that makes you wear dress clothes in the ER

Lol, nope, no way, that would send a program straight to the bottom of my rank list.

 

[gamerEMdoc]

Business casual. Khakis and a golf shirt basically (for guys). That would be the safe bet until you know otherwise. You can always ask the coordinator too. Many will probably be even more lax. I honestly don't care at all if students show up to lecture in shorts and a tshirt. Afterall, most of our residents and faculty are either casually dressed or are in scrubs because they are coming from or going to work afterwards.

 

[Apollyon]

Lol, nope, no way, that would send a program straight to the bottom of my rank list.

I'm guessing that the program is Geisinger.

 

[Got Em]

Thanks everyone!!!