Funny Interview Dress

[abraxas20]

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Did anybody see funny modes of dress at interviews....

Let's hear em!!!

At my interview at UK, a girl wore a short (SHORT) pleated black skirt. Great legs...but....hmmmm

Oh and one woman wore a hippie skirt, t-shirt and vest...like from the 80s

 

[Friendly]

Did anybody see funny modes of dress at interviews....

Let's hear em!!!

At my interview at UK, a girl wore a short (SHORT) pleated black skirt. Great legs...but....hmmmm

Oh and one woman wore a hippie skirt, t-shirt and vest...like from the 80s

How short? I was thinking about wearing a pleated black skirt. Was it one of those skirts with pleats only at the bottom? Where was the interview?

 

[dxw]

Saw a chick with a pink frilly top, flowery skirt, and sandals! She'd take them off every so often and swing her legs. I was shocked. At first I thought she changed and almost said to her, "Oh, how smart of you to change out of your suit for the tour!" Luckily I didn't when someone else asked her, and she said she had just finished her interview. When the Associate Dean told her she'd cut her presentation short she said, "I can understand that you all want to quickly get out of your suits...and dresses," and looks over to the chick as she emphasizes the word dresses.
Other than that, I've seen the flowery dresses with the blazer thrown on top, shiny tops. Nothing too crazy, but not anything I would wear to med interviews.

 

[constructor]

At my interview at UK, a girl wore a short (SHORT) pleated black skirt. Great legs...but....hmmmm

if she was interviewing for a job, you know she would have got it with that dress alone. medical schools need to loosen up and give some bonus points for nice legs. i will when i'm interviewing these kids someday... 😉

 

[Haybrant]

i plan to wear red pants and a bow-tie

 

[boilerbeast]

Ummm, I dunno, I'm just picky, I guess. But there were girls with nice, nice suits carrying North Face Backpacks. 😱 Not to be mean, but seriously...carrying your red backpack tossed over your shoulder? who does that? Lol, I'll probably get a bunch of, "Whatdya mean? I carried my backpack!" replies.

Sorry, but Miss Manners would CRY.

 

[Caesarsgrl]

Ummm, I dunno, I'm just picky, I guess. But there were girls with nice, nice suits carrying North Face Backpacks. 😱 Not to be mean, but seriously...carrying your red backpack tossed over your shoulder? who does that? Lol, I'll probably get a bunch of, "Whatdya mean? I carried my backpack!" replies.

Sorry, but Miss Manners would CRY.

Don't worry I know the feeling. I forsaw this ahead of time and managed to search out the perfect professional black tote... Very nice price too at $22 at Dressbarn.

 

[efex101]

Some people just have no clue..but that is okay that just made *you* look better.

 

[principessa]

I really don't think the outfit matters that much in med school admissions. Has anyone come across a med school viewbook stating, "We evaluate applicants based on GPA, MCAT, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and fashion sense"? I didn't think so. A person may deviate quite a bit from the standard dress, but if they have what it takes, that's not going to stop them from getting in. So don't worry so much about what you're wearing, and take it easy on the people who don't follow the black suit/tailored shirt paradigm.

 

[Fusion]

I really don't think the outfit matters that much in med school admissions. Has anyone come across a med school viewbook stating, "We evaluate applicants based on GPA, MCAT, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and fashion sense"? I didn't think so. A person may deviate quite a bit from the standard dress, but if they have what it takes, that's not going to stop them from getting in. So don't worry so much about what you're wearing, and take it easy on the people who don't follow the black suit/tailored shirt paradigm.

I certainly agree with you that not everyone should feel that it is necessary to conform to the standard navy or black suit. However, applicants need to keep in mind that they are, in essence, on a business trip and should dress appropriately. Medicine in particular is a conservative profession. I think it would be wise for an interviewee to dress in a way that won't attract attention to their attire (which may detract from the favorable impression that they should be trying to make). "Different" is good as long as it is appropriate and professional.

 

[principessa]

I certainly agree with you that not everyone should feel that it is necessary to conform to the standard navy or black suit. However, applicants need to keep in mind that they are, in essence, on a business trip and should dress appropriately. Medicine in particular is a conservative profession. I think it would be wise for an interviewee to dress in a way that won't attract attention to their attire (which may detract from the favorable impression that they should be trying to make). "Different" is good as long as it is appropriate and professional.

I agree with you. In general it is best to do the traditional thing. I just get the feeling that people think that these inappropriately dressed/fashion helpless applicants are going to get automatic rejections, and I seriously don't think that's the case.

 

[abraxas20]

I did not wear a suit. I look like a linebacker in a suit. But I was still dressed in a very businesslike way.

My friend who interviewwed last year saw a girl in a skirt, t-shirt, and high heeled flip-flops....now come on, I think we all know that some things should not be worn to a med school interview.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

since when does a girl have to wear a suit at the interview? I will agree she should look professional but what's wrong with a conservative dress?

i guess i'm glad i'm a guy for this, it's much easier.

 

[MadameLULU]

since when does a girl have to wear a suit at the interview? I will agree she should look professional but what's wrong with a conservative dress?

i guess i'm glad i'm a guy for this, it's much easier.

Well, for most events, there is a norm for what should be worn. For med school interviews, its a suit, preferably a dark one. So, if someone deviates from this attire, then of course they are going to be labeled as "the-one-wearing-the-funny-interview-dress" or whatever...

People would argue that there is nothing wrong with deviating from the norm. However, for something like a med school interview, why take the chance? First impressions are HUGE. Just my opinion

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Well, for most events, there is a norm for what should be worn. For med school interviews, its a suit, preferably a dark one. So, if someone deviates from this attire, then of course they are going to be labeled as "the-one-wearing-the-funny-interview-dress" or whatever...

People would argue that there is nothing wrong with deviating from the norm. However, for something like a med school interview, why take the chance? First impressions are HUGE. Just my opinion

true but as long as the person looked great (and more on the conservative side) an interviewer could also say "this person is not afraid to think for themselves, we need someone who thinks this way" that person would stand out and be remebered..as long as it isn't for a bad thing

 

[efex101]

I agree that "maybe" the way you dress will not keep you out but why take the chance? obviously there is a professional way to dress. I think that going in with flip-flops is just plain rude and highly unprofessional. I do think that the way you present yourself *can* subjectively influence your interviewer. I know that my first impression of anyone is visual and I think that is the case for most folks. If an interviewer is taken aback by the lack of decorum in your attire he/she may not want to be your advocate to get in. The bottom line is that it des NOT take much to look professional so why risk it?

 

[robotvascular]

i saw a guy wearing birkenstock sandles (socks included!) with a black suit

 

[Cerbernator]

i'd give points to girls with nice legs!

 

[SFAJess]

Last week, a girl showed up wearing a typical button-up blouse and skirt. However, the shirt looked like it had been wadded up into a ball while it was still wet and she didn't tuck it in. Also, no hose and no suit jacket. Now, I don't think she's trying to be different or original....she didn't look like she tried at all. Very bad.

I've seen some others along the way that are just surprising to me: bright red suits or off-white suits, crazy hair styles, LOTS of jewelry. One girl had multiple ear piercings and a nose piercing.....and they weren't small pieces of jewelry, they were large pieces of bling-bling hanging off her head.

I don't think that these people could have made a great first impression with their conservative interviewers. Hopefully, they were able to change the first impression with their interviewing skills but I imagine that would be hard to do.

 

[MadameLULU]

Last week, a girl showed up wearing a typical button-up blouse and skirt. However, the shirt looked like it had been wadded up into a ball while it was still wet and she didn't tuck it in. Also, no hose and no suit jacket. Now, I don't think she's trying to be different or original....she didn't look like she tried at all. Very bad.

I've seen some others along the way that are just surprising to me: bright red suits or off-white suits, crazy hair styles, LOTS of jewelry. One girl had multiple ear piercings and a nose piercing.....and they weren't small pieces of jewelry, they were large pieces of bling-bling hanging off her head.

I don't think that these people could have made a great first impression with their conservative interviewers. Hopefully, they were able to change the first impression with their interviewing skills but I imagine that would be hard to do.

crazy texans...what are they thinking? <sigh>

 

[Jeffy]

i saw a guy wearing birkenstock sandles (socks included!) with a black suit

Ouch. Birkenstocks are never appropriate - they're ugly. This is especially true if you have really pale feet

 

[SailCrazy]

Ouch. Birkenstocks are never appropriate - they're ugly. This is especially true if you have really pale feet

Maybe that's why they wore the socks too! 😀

 

[Fusion]

Ouch. Birkenstocks are never appropriate - they're ugly. This is especially true if you have really pale feet

I agree. I am not a big fan of Birkenstocks, though some girls can pull them off. But no guy looks cool wearing Birkenstocks, no matter what look they are going for.

 

[45408]

i'd give points to girls with nice legs!

No kidding. I hope they all do!

 

[pushkin]

Ummm, I dunno, I'm just picky, I guess. But there were girls with nice, nice suits carrying North Face Backpacks. 😱 Not to be mean, but seriously...carrying your red backpack tossed over your shoulder? who does that? Lol, I'll probably get a bunch of, "Whatdya mean? I carried my backpack!" replies.

Sorry, but Miss Manners would CRY.

Whereas Miss Manners would approve of people gossiping and making fun of their fellow interviewees behind their back and in public? Hmm.

 

[ShyRem]

I've seen some others along the way that are just surprising to me: bright red suits or off-white suits, crazy hair styles, LOTS of jewelry. One girl had multiple ear piercings and a nose piercing.....and they weren't small pieces of jewelry, they were large pieces of bling-bling hanging off her head.

I don't think that these people could have made a great first impression with their conservative interviewers. Hopefully, they were able to change the first impression with their interviewing skills but I imagine that would be hard to do.

Regarding the red suits... Black, blue, and red are traditionally the "power colors". Red usually isn't worn as the main suit color because few people can pull it off well. The "conservatives" certainly understand red suits.

One of the main points of the medical school interview is to show yourself to be (at least in part) the professional to which you aspire to become after soaking yourself for 4-8 years in pee, puke, blood, sweat, and tears. Not all of those bodily fluids being yours, might I add. The color of the suit is not necessarily important. Your demeanor is.

 

[45408]

Whereas Miss Manners would approve of people gossiping and making fun of their fellow interviewees behind their back and in public? Hmm.

It's not gossip if nobody even knows who's being talked about.

 

[Ypo.]

I really don't think the outfit matters that much in med school admissions. Has anyone come across a med school viewbook stating, "We evaluate applicants based on GPA, MCAT, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and fashion sense"? I didn't think so. A person may deviate quite a bit from the standard dress, but if they have what it takes, that's not going to stop them from getting in. So don't worry so much about what you're wearing, and take it easy on the people who don't follow the black suit/tailored shirt paradigm.

Amen. And this thread is kind of mean, and shows how insecure some people are. I didn't wear a suit to my last interview, and it worked for me. Every other student wore black or blue suits, when I went in front of the panel of four interviewers, they specifically commented on how nice it was to see something other than a black or blue suit, and how nice I looked. I wore something cream-colored and flowery (gasp!!!) None of the other students wanted to sit near me-they were too afraid of "sticking out" or "deviating from the norm." I think my personality, grades and confidence will speak for themselves, and I know that at the very least I'll stick out in their minds.
I did wear 'hose' and matching shoes. Why wear black or blue business suits? Doctors don't wear black and blue business suits everyday!

 

[DianaLynne]

On my first interview, I went the whole black suit, hose, and sensible pumps route. And I will continue to do so until I get accepted somewhere. Then, who knows, it might be fun to bust out a little. I did hear the assistant dean make a comment about how the one gal there not in black or navy was going to be accepted automatically. It's possible that the interviewers are bored with the monochromatic tendencies. Of course, no one wants to be the one getting snickered at for the unusual attire.

Diana

 

[DianaLynne]

Oh yeah, there was a guy there in a black suit and black and brown sneakers! His feet looked comfy, but it didn't work that well. At least not for me.

Diana

 

[curiouslygeorge]

Saw a chick with a pink frilly top, flowery skirt, and sandals! She'd take them off every so often and swing her legs. I was shocked. At first I thought she changed and almost said to her, "Oh, how smart of you to change out of your suit for the tour!" Luckily I didn't when someone else asked her, and she said she had just finished her interview. When the Associate Dean told her she'd cut her presentation short she said, "I can understand that you all want to quickly get out of your suits...and dresses," and looks over to the chick as she emphasizes the word dresses.
Other than that, I've seen the flowery dresses with the blazer thrown on top, shiny tops. Nothing too crazy, but not anything I would wear to med interviews.

now just a minute!!! i resemble that remark!!! but just for the record... my skirt was not flowery--it was PAISLEY!!! there is a difference. and my feet were hurting which is why i took off the sandals.

 

[striped sweater]

i wore a striped sweater with a collar--turtleneck... that's the kind.

 

[dxw]

If it really is you, as you say, I would suggest getting a suit. There are a lot of old, conservative faculty interviewers out there and they frown upon anyone not wearing a suit. Heck, I've even heard from well-seasoned interviewees not to wear pant suits because they prefer women in skirts. Sounds sexist, but it's still their world. Don't let that be the one thing that doesn't get you in. It sucks, but interviewers feel like you're showing them respect by wearing a suit. In my opinion, it's just not the time to be an individualist, at least not too much so.

now just a minute!!! i resemble that remark!!! but just for the record... my skirt was not flowery--it was PAISLEY!!! there is a difference. and my feet were hurting which is why i took off the sandals.

 

[pushkin]

Why does everyone assume the interviewer will be "conservative?" How do you know you won't get some hippy public health doctor interviewing you, someone for whom all the boring black suits just start to run together? I'm not saying go overboard in the other direction, just maybe aim for something neutral and flattering. If you end up looking like a power banker, I'm not sure that's the best impression to make either.

 

[Sunflower189]

I vote for comfort, as long as you look conservative and respectful. Who analyzes your backpack color?

Then again, I'll wear a little black dress with duct-tapey sneakers. Your level of obliviousness may vary. 😀

 

[JDAWG07]

Dark BLUE and GRAY suits, without any flashy styles, solid or close solid color schemes are best. If one really wants to look powerful, one wants to get as close to black as they can without actually wearing black. If you wear black, it makes you look like a mobster or like you just came from a funeral. Professionals generally do not wear black suits, just very dark suits that make them almost appear as black.

 

[Ypo.]

This whole thread is really stupid. Common sense, people. 🙄

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

Q to all u conservative police people!:
i have a problem with skirt size
i spent a considerable sum on a skirt and jaket
but my friend says the skirt may be too short and i should get it "made longer"
well i took it to a tailor and he was like " there is nothing to lengthen this THING"
so do i really haveto buy another one...i am still doing secndaries but if i need onei need like a months head start!
its about a inch and a half / two inches (MAX!) over my knees
i do plan on wearing hose and nice black closed toe shoes ..as well as a button down long sleve lucky pink shirt and a black 3 button jacket (all is ann taylor and "conservative")

PS: i am posting this in womens dress thread too ..well ..bc those chicas have style !and i need their opinion!

 

[abraxas20]

I didn't expect such response.

Ok, so here are the OPs thoughts.....

SKirts above the knee are probably a little dangerous, not because it looks unprofessional, but because people are always fooling with short skirts. Plus too short a skirt can be racy.

I don't believe that women need to wear suits. I am not sure I think that all men need to wear suits. But men do need to be in a tie and a jacket. And they should fit.

I never wear suits. I look terrible in them. Since I started the thread I will tell you what I wore:

Camel colored jacket
Camel colored mock turtleneck (sleeveless, but I didn't take my jacket off)
Long flowing skirt with large red muted flowers and vines
Panty hose and Easy spirit heels (great for walking)

All of it came from Coldwater Creek....

 

[dnelsen]

Dark BLUE and GRAY suits, without any flashy styles, solid or close solid color schemes are best. If one really wants to look powerful, one wants to get as close to black as they can without actually wearing black. If you wear black, it makes you look like a mobster or like you just came from a funeral. Professionals generally do not wear black suits, just very dark suits that make them almost appear as black.

Right on brotha...

I went with the charcoal gray suit with white shirt and striped tie. I think black suits look cheap (unless it is a REALLY expensive black suit). It is hard to make a black suit look nice.

There were only three other people with me on interview day and they all were dressed very well.

 

[stinkycheese]

Anything above the knee is inappropriate for a woman on a med school interview. When you sit down in a knee-length skirt, it goes above the knee anyway. If you're already starting above the knee, it goes mid-thigh. Not a good look.

 

[aparecida]

Dark BLUE and GRAY suits, without any flashy styles, solid or close solid color schemes are best. If one really wants to look powerful, one wants to get as close to black as they can without actually wearing black. If you wear black, it makes you look like a mobster or like you just came from a funeral. Professionals generally do not wear black suits, just very dark suits that make them almost appear as black.

This is true for men -- men should go with charcoal, not black. For women, a black suit is completely appropriate. DPG, I answered you in the other thread.

 

[efex101]

Again this is NOT the time to be looking all divaish...folks. There is a time and a place to wear shorter skirts and look awsome but medical school interview is not that time. You do not know who will be your interviewer sure you "could" have a very open minded individual but MOST are men and MOST are conservative older men so beware! I do not understand why you cannot just for one very important day in your life play by their rules because this is their game. Once you are in THEN you can should your individuality...

 

[pushkin]

Again this is NOT the time to be looking all divaish...folks. There is a time and a place to wear shorter skirts and look awsome but medical school interview is not that time. You do not know who will be your interviewer sure you "could" have a very open minded individual but MOST are men and MOST are conservative older men so beware! I do not understand why you cannot just for one very important day in your life play by their rules because this is their game. Once you are in THEN you can should your individuality...

Well, you're right of course, but I don't think people asking questions on this thread were looking for ways to express their individuality, but rather just find nice looking clothes that show respect and yet are comfortable and reasonably fashionable. I mean, if you take "conservative" too seriously then we all will look either like mobsters, as someone said, or else like we just walked out of a 1970s Sear's catalog, and that's no good either. I think it is perfectly fair to question whether a black suit is necessary. There are lots of nice looking, conservative-enough interview clothes out there that people might debate over this or that thing and still be within the range of what's ok. And as far as interviewers being older men, fine, but you could also say that many older men actually resent women who wear power suits, and instead would prefer the flowery skirt. I mean, people can psych themselves out in many ways if they think about this too much.

Yeah, sandles would be extreme; so would a weird hairstyle or miniskirt or whatever. But then when people start talking about there being some "norm" for what must be worn, well that's extreme too. Doctors need to show that while they can fit in perfectly fine, they can also do more than just tow the party line every minute of every day. Plus people tend to look awkward in clothes that they hate. (That is why I will never wear Easy Striders). There's enough variety among the *appropriate* kinds of clothes to please everyone, I'd say.

I think the people who really deviate from this and draw attention to themselves through their clothes on interview day are in the minority. I don't think it's nice to make fun of them. Most people want to fit in and look right; those who don't might be very inexperienced, or they might not have gotten very good advice. The polite thing to do is downplay the extent to which such people stand out.

 

[Ypo.]

Well, you're right of course, but I don't think people asking questions on this thread were looking for ways to express their individuality, but rather just find nice looking clothes that show respect and yet are comfortable and reasonably fashionable. I mean, if you take "conservative" too seriously then we all will look either like mobsters, as someone said, or else like we just walked out of a 1970s Sear's catalog, and that's no good either. I think it is perfectly fair to question whether a black suit is necessary. There are lots of nice looking, conservative-enough interview clothes out there that people might debate over this or that thing and still be within the range of what's ok. And as far as interviewers being older men, fine, but you could also say that many older men actually resent women who wear power suits, and instead would prefer the flowery skirt. I mean, people can psych themselves out in many ways if they think about this too much.

Yeah, sandles would be extreme; so would a weird hairstyle or miniskirt or whatever. But then when people start talking about there being some "norm" for what must be worn, well that's extreme too. Doctors need to show that while they can fit in perfectly fine, they can also do more than just tow the party line every minute of every day. Plus people tend to look awkward in clothes that they hate. (That is why I will never wear Easy Striders). There's enough variety among the *appropriate* kinds of clothes to please everyone, I'd say.

I think the people who really deviate from this and draw attention to themselves through their clothes on interview day are in the minority. I don't think it's nice to make fun of them. Most people want to fit in and look right; those who don't might be very inexperienced, or they might not have gotten very good advice. The polite thing to do is downplay the extent to which such people stand out.

Thats right.

 

[efex101]

My post was in reference to the mid-thigh skirt which we know will ride up as soon as you sit down...nothing against other suits aside from black that is perfectly fine. Just look professional and IMHO going to an interview with outfits that are pushing the envelope is just plain asking for trouble. Any suit color can be appropriate if it makes you look business like and you carry yourself accordingly...also any business suit *can* look inappropriate if paired with stiletto heels and tons of makeup. Again it is about the whole package...but keep it more conservative than not for when I interviewed last year MOST of my interviewers (and I went to a lot) were men and more conservative just FYI...

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

i just dont want to look stupid
point taken
time to shop!

 

[bigdan]

I've kinda missed out on all the weird outfits. Everyone I've seen thus far has had conservative down pat (except that kid with the fluorescent DNA helix tie).

I do like to see an air of individuality in someone's dress, so maybe the folks that we think are weird are just "expressing themselves". I've certainly seen enough docs that do that...

I have been conservative in my style. I don't mind someone wearing whatever he/she wants; but the fact is that others a judging us - whether we want them to be or not, whether we think that "making fun" of someone is right or wrong. Lots of different folks are judging us on our ablity to make it - to conform, really - to medical school standards. Maybe I'll loosen up my conservative suit, but only after my first acceptance somewhere. I agree that something else will keep you out of medical school long before your attire will, but someone else can take that chance.

Do your thing.

dc

 

[Ypo.]

So I shouldn't wear a soft-red suit?

 

[Scottish Chap]

Dark BLUE and GRAY suits, without any flashy styles, solid or close solid color schemes are best. If one really wants to look powerful, one wants to get as close to black as they can without actually wearing black. If you wear black, it makes you look like a mobster or like you just came from a funeral. Professionals generally do not wear black suits, just very dark suits that make them almost appear as black.

I wonder if this pattern continued this year. Seems everyone was dressed in black.