Informal Event Before Interview - Attire & Expectations

[Member 1787]

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I am interviewing for a PhD program in Counseling Psychology. I'm planning to wear formal business attire for the interview. However, I'm really struggling with what to wear for the informal dinner the night before with just the current doctorate students. They said pizza would be provided so I imagine it will be relatively informal. Are dark jeans and nice top okay? Or should I go more business casual (black slacks, nice sweater, etc.)? Any thoughts on this topic? I certainly don't want to be overdressed or underdressed for the occasion.

Also, while I'm on this topic...Does anyone have any advice for what to expect during the dinner? I anticipate asking a lot of questions about the school and the program. However, do informal gatherings like the one I'm describing typically play a role--even minor--in the admissions decision?

Any thoughts on these topics are much appreciated!

 

[psychologyrun]

However, do informal gatherings like the one I'm describing typically play a role--even minor--in the admissions decision?

YES YES YES YES YES. The second you get picked up from the airport to the second you get dropped back off to go home, you are being interviewed. In a way, you're even being interviewed by the email communication we have before and after the actual interview day. The half hour you spend interviewing with your POI is very important, but the other 24+ hours you're with the grad students is just as important. Students in my lab have dissuaded my advisor from accepting a student that (based on the POI interview) would have gotten an offer, due to inappropriate behavior during the informal times.

Also, dress for the job you want, not the job you have is always a good rule of thumb. Male or female, suit on interview day, business casual at the pre-dinners. Jeans can come out the next morning when you're getting driven to the airport.

 

[PhDMiss2014]

Yes dinners like this do play a role. You will be observed to see how you interact with your potential cohort and the specific lab you're applying to. Be yourself, be comfortable. I would advise you to wear business casual rather then jeans. Grad students do give input from these informal dinners to their advisors and at least in my lab, my advisor takes that input seriously.

 

[Member 1787]

That is SO helpful. Thank you!

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Agree with the above about the entire time being an interview. I think jeans would be okay (pretty sure I saw a lot of this and maybe did it myself) but black pants are good too. Either way, you do want to look neat and not sloppy.

I also wouldn't limit yourself to program-related topics at the event. You can ask some of that, but there will be plenty of time for that later too. It is a good time to ask about things like life in that city, what grad students do for fun, etc.

It is also a good time to get the grad students to like you. I think you will get more bang for your buck by finding common interests (e.g., sports, pets, cooking) and chatting about them than trying to impress grad students with your academics. (Remember people like to talk about themselves, let them do that!) You want to seem like someone who is likable and good in social interactions. The professors will judge you on academics, this part is about personality. When I was a student, professors were most likely to ask grad students questions about whether they thought prospective students would be easy/good to work with and whether they thought you would fit into the lab. They also were interested in any red flags (rude, substance abuse, immature).

Good luck!
Dr. E

 

[paramour]

If it's a "grad student only" informal event, I agree with Doctor E. Jeans are perfectly acceptable attire. Just about every applicant was wearing jeans at these events when I interviewed, so I doubt you're going to stand out. The one event where it was mixed (grad students/faculty), it was a combination of business casual and jeans--and most of the faculty/grad students were wearing jeans... so, be presentable, and I think you'll be fine.

Our program's pre-interview event has changed from a grad student to a faculty event over the years. As such, most applicants wear business casual. Granted, it's also a catered dinner and everyone's on their "best" behavior and then some...

Regardless of where you're at or with who you're interacting, be mindful of your surroundings and what comes out of your mouth. Don't kick your hosts' pets; don't badmouth your fellow interviewees or the faculty member with whom you just interviewed; and for the love of snow, please wear undergarments, cross your legs, and don't show us your goods!

 

[NotTheHoff]

I was in charge of throwing one of these for my program. I'd always err on the side of caution and overdress, but nice jeans should be fine in this situation (just ask yourself how you expect the current students in the program to dress at an even like that). From my experience, feedback may be given to faculty if your personality was a big flag. No one goes, "Ew, that person wore JEANS to the dinner!" unless those jeans were shiny gold and bedazzled with rips across the butt cheeks.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

Also note that, depending on the program, you might not just be interviewing with one POI or one "lab." Some counseling psych programs are not set up that way.

Since others brought this up, I'm going to give my experience with some aspects of this. I was an older applicant, so take this as you may. I would NEVER, EVER again stay with another grad student on interview weekend!! It singlehandedly ruined one interview experience (didn't sleep, multiple awkward interactions) and gave me NO time to myself (except when I was in the bathroom). It boggles my mind that this is done, quite frankly, and only the program with the younger culture did this. Do yourself a favor and set some boundaries--rent a car, get a hotel room, and plan to be around other students and faculty only when events are happening. It's well worth the money.

 

[PsychPhDone]

You should do what you're comfortable with, but in our program, jeans and a nice top are just fine! You can always ask your student host what the attire will be.

 

[paramour]

Also note that, depending on the program, you might not just be interviewing with one POI or one "lab." Some counseling psych programs are not set up that way.

Since others brought this up, I'm going to give my experience with some aspects of this. I was an older applicant, so take this as you may. I would NEVER, EVER again stay with another grad student on interview weekend!! It singlehandedly ruined one interview experience (didn't sleep, multiple awkward interactions) and gave me NO time to myself (except when I was in the bathroom). It boggles my mind that this is done, quite frankly, and only the program with the younger culture did this. Do yourself a favor and set some boundaries--rent a car, get a hotel room, and plan to be around other students and faculty only when events are happening. It's well worth the money.

I can attest to this as well. I interviewed at both counseling & clinical programs. None of them were set up to interview with just one POI/lab (i.e., instead, interviewing with multiple faculty regardless of program types).

 

[neuronic]

Some helpful Do's and Do not's after hosting applicants some 5 years...

Do's
Research your program and read the brochures (it is frustrating to answer questions that can be readily found in the brochure)
Make sure you eat dinner, bfast and lunch
Try to interact with the other applicants and talk about things other than grad school admissions (these are your potential friends, and not everything is about competition)
Try to talk with current grad students about things other than grad school (again, these are your potential friends)
Try to become comfortable with silence - don't feel pressured to ask questions to fill up time
Feel free to have a drink if you can handle your drinking
Feel free to decline a drink if you are not a drinker or do not want to drink
Feel free to wear a non-power suit (jeans) at social events before or after interviews
Be polite and friendly - try to wear a smile

Do not
Sit in the corner playing with your iPhone
Avoid potential graduate students in your PI's lab
Get drunk
Try to hook-up (this seems like common sense but there is always that person)
Rush to lunch at the expense of cutting an interview short - there will be plenty of food

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Since others brought this up, I'm going to give my experience with some aspects of this. I was an older applicant, so take this as you may. I would NEVER, EVER again stay with another grad student on interview weekend!! It singlehandedly ruined one interview experience (didn't sleep, multiple awkward interactions) and gave me NO time to myself (except when I was in the bathroom). It boggles my mind that this is done, quite frankly, and only the program with the younger culture did this. Do yourself a favor and set some boundaries--rent a car, get a hotel room, and plan to be around other students and faculty only when events are happening. It's well worth the money.

I think staying with a grad student is a mixed bag. (For frame of reference, I was going in straight out of UG so I was used to sleeping in a dorm room with a roommate.) I had both positive and negative experiences with this. Two stand out as particularly positive. In both cases I was housed with a 1st/2nd yr in the POI's lab. I really clicked with them and got a good sense of what it would be like to be working collaboratively with them in a lab. Also, since we were having such a nice time chatting etc. it really helped my nerves. In some cases, depending on who you stay with, it can be an additional opportunity to schmooze and get known.

I will say that in one case I stayed with someone who was a chain smoker with multiple pet ferrets. Her apt smelled like smoke and ferret pee. It probably made me think less of the program! I also spent a number of interview weekends on really uncomfortable futons.

Lots of luck!
Dr. E

 

[Pragma]

I can't speak from personal experience (I skipped these things and went out for drinks with friends in town the night before my interviews to blow off steam).

But when I was a grad student, we ran several of these events. You definitely are being interviewed even with just grad students, even if it is just their general impressions. In my lab, we had input on who got offers. I wouldn't dress formally, but maybe stay in business casual to play it safe. No keg stands 🙂

 

[snowcherries]

In my program, nice jeans and a nice top would be perfect for all non-interview social events. I'd also say that if you're polite and socially appropriate, there's no need to stress too much about this kind of event or feel like you need to show off, but if you're a total wackadoodle to the extent that it would be difficult to work with you in a small program that will get conveyed to the admissions committee.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

In my program, nice jeans and a nice top would be perfect for all non-interview social events. I'd also say that if you're polite and socially appropriate, there's no need to stress too much about this kind of event or feel like you need to show off, but if you're a total wackadoodle to the extent that it would be difficult to work with you in a small program that will get conveyed to the admissions committee.

Pretty much this. Unless you completely turn off the individuals at the event, just focus on getting to know the other people there, and seeing if the overall "feel" of the lab is one in which you'd be comfortable.

 

[deleted176373]

In an effort to procrastinate writing the last little bit of my dissertation, I will chime in.

It's common sense really. Less is more, the less you stand out for being "different" the better off you are, in general.

That means you want to interact in a somewhat superficial manner with most of the students and faculty and not over-share. Maintain good boundaries in general, be genuine and honest, answer the kinds of questions you would expect to get at these events, but don't over disclose. Example, stating your married/engaged when you're wearing a engagement or wedding ring would be expected. Stating that you and your SO are planning on having 3 kids while you're attending school might be an over-share.

Ask questions thoughtfully. Use open ended questions, allow students and faculty to talk more than you, if at all possible. Answer questions thoughtfully, there is no bonus for answering quickly. You might even consider asking for more information before answering a question to give you time to formulate an articulate answer.

Dress in something that flatters you but is simple, back to less is more (and I don't mean pant/skirt length or shirt material). Simple and flattering, if you don't know, ask your friends first (the ones you can trust, please). Nothing is worse than showing up dressed inappropriately, so clothes that can allow you to adjust to the environment are perfect. Guys, a nice sweater/jacket, a button down shirt, and a pair of great jeans will get the job done. Ladies, a nice skirt or slacks, with a tasteful blouse and jacket is the same approach. If you don't know what looks good on you, find someone to help you and go shopping!

Finally, RELAX, you'll be fine!