dress code

[shawty ya'head]

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everyone,

is it acceptable to wear just a dress shirt, tie and slacks to interviews? i'm not big on the whole suit thing. i like to dress casual and honestly thats my personality, laid back.

i have work after this interview also and i'd really don't want to lug a suit around.

what do you guys think?
i'm thinkin' a blue/white/yellow shirt with a gold tie and black dress pants. nice shoes ofcourse.

i'm thinkin' i'm going to be under-dressed though.

-a

 

[CaptainJack02]

by not wearing a suit, you'll stand out from the crowd for hte wrong reasons. just wear a suit and then change before you head back to work. i strongly urge you to do this. i have not seen a single person not wearing a suit.

 

[roja]

Wear a suit. While in general, there are many people who wouldn't take offence, do you really want to take the chance that you won't be interviewing with someone who has more formal views????????

Plus, you never know where someones bias will come from. You want to ry and minimize this as much as possible.

You can always take you jacket off when you interview.

The suit sends a subtle message that you respect the process. Don't wear it and someone might take it to mean you aren't serious.

 

[Supercluster]

On 5 interviews so far, I have seen only one person who I thought was inappropriately dressed, and he was dressed pretty much the way you just described. He REALLY stood out in the sea of suits, and while I acknowledge that occassionally that could be a good thing, I wouldn't want to risk it. In his case, he had grouped several interviews together and I think that was his last one, so that might have had something to do with his lack of available clothing.
But I certainly feel for you and your laid-back tendencies. I would prefer to be in jeans and a t-shirt all the time, but I have worn a skirt suit on all of my interviews because I don't want to take any chances. It's only a few hours, right? I don't really believe that clothing will make or break you, btw, I'm just a little paranoid about that kinda stuff. 😳

 

[dgf32]

Everyone wears dark suits, I assume. Correct?

 

[erin682]

Wear a suit. Guys wear suits, girls wear suits. I'm rarely caught out of t-shirt and jeans and I wore a suit. Guys I saw wore either black, navy or gray. Girls wore mostly dark suits but some wore colors. I think I remember a plum colored suit and a light blue one.

 

[ut_stephen]

Everyone wears dark suits, I assume. Correct?

Yes...keep it traditional...dark gray or black with a solid white or blue shirt.

 

[CaptainJack02]

Everyone wears dark suits, I assume. Correct?

blue, black, dark brown, grey would be OK too. yellow, white, purple, neon green - not so much

if you wouldn't wear it to your goldman sachs interview, don't wear it to your med school one.

*edit* don't forget the POWER TIE!

 

[NubianPrincess]

You will probably be the only dude not in a suit.

 

[Mr hawkings]

Yes...keep it traditional...dark gray or black with a solid white or blue shirt.

Lime green, baby. thats what i'm rockin'

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Lime green, baby. thats what i'm rockin'

i hope you are kidding... 😛

 

[Psycho Doctor]

true, not wearing a suit for the couple hours shows lack of respect for the guy you are interviewing with and makes you come across as cocky and flippant. wear the suit.

 

[Reckoning]

everyone,

is it acceptable to wear just a dress shirt, tie and slacks to interviews? i'm not big on the whole suit thing. i like to dress casual and honestly thats my personality, laid back.

i have work after this interview also and i'd really don't want to lug a suit around.

what do you guys think?
i'm thinkin' a blue/white/yellow shirt with a gold tie and black dress pants. nice shoes ofcourse.

i'm thinkin' i'm going to be under-dressed though.

-a

Be prepared. Bring the jacket. Then take it off during your interview. (Although, ask if your interviewer minds first.)
If your interviewer is stiff and gets hung up on your unprofessional look, man, wouldn't that be a dumb reason to get rejected?

 

[fakin' the funk]

Wearing a suit is the expected and followed norm. This is so much the case that at Irvine, the admissions director makes a big deal about having an extremely casual and laid-back day, and invites all the applicants to...take off their jackets. 'Nuff said.

 

[marr]

Man, you people are so damn stiff. F*UCK with these people who want you to wear a damn suit. I certainly DID NOT WEAR A SUIT TO mount sinai, einstein,lsu, and penn state and certainly no one had commented on me being out of dress. This stuff is all flake and just be confident in yourself. Hell, I interviewed in louisiana the DEEP SOUTH and it's as conservative as it can get and I am still ACCEPTED. Remember your file goes to a COMMITTEE and just think of how stupid your interviewer would look if the committee ask for the reason for a rejection. Even more a suit is damn expensive and I would rather waste that money elsewhere.

 

[marr]

everyone,

i'm thinkin' a blue/white/yellow shirt with a gold tie and black dress pants. nice shoes ofcourse.



-a

I wore a blue shirt with a red tie and a black dress pants. I didn't know that Dockers made such nice black dress pants and they are pretty cheap. Good Luck and you really don't need a suit just be confident in yourself.

 

[marr]

let me add one more thing my brother interviewed then was accepted to USUHS without wearing a damn suit. Just think about it before telling everyone that a suit is the NORM for med school interview.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

let me add one more thing my brother interviewed then was accepted to USUHS without wearing a damn suit. Just think about it before telling everyone that a suit is the NORM for med school interview.

But it clearly is the norm.

 

[marr]

The norm is a nice dress shirt/pant/shoes. That's about it. A suit is not needed except for those who are so insecure about the image that they project. it's a norm for premed who are so damn paranoid that they take hundred of dollars for a suit they themself would wear for 2 or 3 occasions at the most that they forget to actually spend that money on classes such as ARTS OF HOLDING A CONVERSATION. Have you seen some of your interviewer? Did that wear a suit or their white jacket. How about your student intervier did they all wear a suit as well? Bottom line you can still be accepted and spend that money on sightseeing because it might be the last time that you will ever visit that city again.

 

[futuremsfdoc]

wear a suit.

that's about all there is to it. spend however much money you can on a suit (jcpenny's has decent ones that are reasonable), but you must get one. the above poster saying "the norm is a nice shirt, etc." is absolutely wrong. unless you have a good reason (ie you really can't afford it at all, or it got lost on the plane ride) you will stand out without a suit. no one at any of my interviews was wearing just a shirt and tie.

the goal of your wardrobe for the day is to not attract attention. by wearing a shirt and tie, you will draw attention to yourself.

 

[marr]

The thing I am trying to point out is that you don't need a SUIT to be accepted. The thing is that your file will be presented in front of a COMMITTEE. it is true that you will stand out as the lone interviewee who did not wear a suit. But the committee will decide your fate and they may never have seen you before except maybe on your secondary. A suit is not necessary and you can be accepted without it.

As to drawing attention to yourself, think about it, only your damn interviewee will judge you as being aloof because you didn't wear a suit. However, once you interview your interviewer really doesn't care because they are busy taking a snapshot at the answers that you gave them. Just imagaine how strange it would be if your interviewer wrote that you didn't wear a suit.

 

[futuremsfdoc]

it wouldn't be terribly strange because the differences are often so small in applicants that the little things can be noted. for example, being rude to the secretary often gets back to the admissions coordinator. i'm sure not wearing a suit would cause you to be rejected alone, but it could be interpreted as being disrespectful by some.

 

[lorelei]

I've seen three people (one guy, two girls) not wearing suits, at 4 interviews. The guy had on khakis, a white shirt, a tie, and a navy blue blazer. He didn't really blend in, but no one said anything. The girls were wearing dress shirts with sweaters over them, and skirts or dress slacks.

I'd wear a jacket, but if your outfit looks like a suit without the jacket, it is probably not too bad.

 

[erin682]

The thing I am trying to point out is that you don't need a SUIT to be accepted

No one is trying to say that you need a suit to be accepted, its just a safe bet. You keep talking about people being stiff but who's getting angry over conversations about suits. Just relax a little

 

[Pinkertinkle]

No one is trying to say that you need a suit to be accepted, its just a safe bet. You keep talking about people being stiff but who's getting angry over conversations about suits. Just relax a little

Exactly, and I haven't seen anyone at an interview who wasn't wearing a suit, so I'm gonna be conservative and wear my suit too.

 

[shawty ya'head]

marr,
i think me and you think alike. i don't think i need a suit to get accepted.

i think i will wear one however because i wouldn't want it to affect my chances. however, i'll probably hold the jacket in my hand. i hate wearing the jacket, its so restricting.

how does that sound to everyone?

 

[Psycho Doctor]

The norm is a nice dress shirt/pant/shoes. That's about it. A suit is not needed except for those who are so insecure about the image that they project. it's a norm for premed who are so damn paranoid that they take hundred of dollars for a suit they themself would wear for 2 or 3 occasions at the most that they forget to actually spend that money on classes such as ARTS OF HOLDING A CONVERSATION. Have you seen some of your interviewer? Did that wear a suit or their white jacket. How about your student intervier did they all wear a suit as well? Bottom line you can still be accepted and spend that money on sightseeing because it might be the last time that you will ever visit that city again.

huh? i actually am not going out to buy a suit for my interviews. I already own several and i have already worn each several times. so you are falsely stereotyping. and the interviewers aren't looking for us to accept them, whereas we need them to accept us. very different circumstances.

 

[fielight]

i guess you can wear whatever you want, but you should know that all the applicants will be wearing a dark suit (women included). i just saw a group of applicants at my school today (it's the middle of interview season after all), and they all looked so serious and somber. if you don't care, then it doesn't matter (though it may reflect poorly on you)... but most applicants really do take it seriously and go to great lengths for their way of dress.

 

[NubianPrincess]

No one is trying to say that you need a suit to be accepted, its just a safe bet. You keep talking about people being stiff but who's getting angry over conversations about suits. Just relax a little

Ditto.

 

[marr]

I'm putting this out because it seems that alot of you are stiffer than zombie in regards to wearing a suit for an interview. This is after all peer pressure and I want to show those reading this that you can be respectful, not look down upon, and can still be accepted if they don't want to wear a suit. Does it anger me? Hell No I could care less about you people. However, I will do my darnest to show that you don't have to wear a suit to a med school interview. It's not a necessity. My message: Don't buy a suit instead use that money for sightseeing. Don't forget to vote!!! GO kerry/edwards

 

[marr]

marr,
i think me and you think alike. i don't think i need a suit to get accepted.

i think i will wear one however because i wouldn't want it to affect my chances. however, i'll probably hold the jacket in my hand. i hate wearing the jacket, its so restricting.

how does that sound to everyone?

that's cool man. got peer pressured into wearing a suit 😉 Just playing with you. do what you think its best for you. Good Luck at the interview

 

[eralza]

43 MCAT, 3.9 GPA, currently about to amaze the world with a cure for cancer...go to the interview in your underwear and a smile. Otherwise get a suit. I've worked in management for years and conducted dozens of interviews. A suit simply says that you respect the process, the school, and the interviewer. For my day-to-day fieldwork, I wear jeans, steel-toed boots, and bring my dog along, so I'm with you about being "laid back". For any interview outside of McDonald's just play the game. As a matter of fact, play the game at McDonald's as well. No need to throw in variables when it isn't necessary.

 

[marr]

43 MCAT, 3.9 GPA, currently about to amaze the world with a cure for cancer...go to the interview in your underwear and a smile. Otherwise get a suit. I've worked in management for years and conducted dozens of interviews. A suit simply says that you respect the process, the school, and the interviewer. QUOTE]

So, have you interviewed yet? Have you seen that some of your interviewer didn't wear a suit? Do you really believe that they just disrespect you for not wearing a suit? And yes you work in management which is essentially you kissing your boss ass to climb the ladder. You do what he tells you!!!

 

[NubianPrincess]

One of my interviewers actually wore a white coat. That bastard.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

One of my interviewers actually wore a white coat. That bastard.

he earned the right, and some day so will we 😀

 

[eralza]

43 MCAT, 3.9 GPA, currently about to amaze the world with a cure for cancer...go to the interview in your underwear and a smile. Otherwise get a suit. I've worked in management for years and conducted dozens of interviews. A suit simply says that you respect the process, the school, and the interviewer. QUOTE]

So, have you interviewed yet? Have you seen that some of your interviewer didn't wear a suit? Do you really believe that they just disrespect you for not wearing a suit? And yes you work in management which is essentially you kissing your boss ass to climb the ladder. You do what he tells you!!!

Dude, no offense, but in this little game called life, we all kiss a little. You can begin by puckering up and getting a good hold on mine for practice. Yes, I have seen interviewees without suits, and yes they did stand out. However, I believe that with your winning personality, you could probably get away with just a t-shirt and tennis shoes. Be sure to point out to your interviewers that you are an individual, a special snowflake who doesn't need to abide by standards or norms. However, you should also emphasize that you are only interested in areas of medicine where you don't have to interact with others.

 

[marr]

Dude, no offense, but in this little game called life, we all kiss a little. You can begin by puckering up and getting a good hold on mine for practice. Yes, I have seen interviewees without suits, and yes they did stand out. However, I believe that with your winning personality, you could probably get away with just a t-shirt and tennis shoes. Be sure to point out to your interviewers that you are an individual, a special snowflake who doesn't need to abide by standards or norms. However, you should also emphasize that you are only interested in areas of medicine where you don't have to interact with others.

Well, seeing how you post it seems that you are well versed in ass kissing. No, I won't kiss yours. I'm quoting from the simpson. Hank Scorpio" What's your dream Homer?" Homer" To work for you, sir!" Hank"My butt is for sitting not for kissing."

 

[liverotcod]

RWAC.

 

[stoic]

at my interviews it was all suits. looked like a freakin' fbi convention.

i think the safe thing to do is to wear a suit. it probably wouldn't hurt you to just wear slacks/shirt/tie, but the potential is there.... so why risk it?

i understand the need to be different and live on the edge... that's why i didn't wear underwear to my interview 😉

 

[Megalofyia]

I like to go to my interviews wearing scrubs.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

i understand the need to be different and live on the edge... that's why i didn't wear underwear to my interview 😉

but did anyone know? 😛

 

[NubianPrincess]

I'll never tell 😉

 

[Depakote]

Interesting that I should see this thread...

I was speaking to the Vice Dean of The Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Halperin when he came to speak at my school. He actually brought this topic up when he was talking about how people interview with him.

"Always wear a suit. You want them to remember you for what you said, not what you wore."

 

[stoic]

but did anyone know? 😛

only the dean of admissions. you don't think i got in on gpa/mcat alone, do you














(in case the dean of admissions reads this, i'm sorry... please don't kick me out!)

 

[CaptainJack02]

i understand the need to be different and live on the edge... that's why i didn't wear underwear to my interview 😉

what if a hot girl came by and bent over, for no reason. then you'd be in some serious trouble. unless you've got a 2 incher, then you're OK, i suppose.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

what if a hot girl came by and bent over, for no reason. then you'd be in some serious trouble. unless you've got a 2 incher, then you're OK, i suppose.

no b/c everyone else would also be looking at the hot girl and not even notice. besides that's why guys carry briefcases; yiu never know what you might need to hide. 😉