Interview Attire (Past and Current Applicants)

[Eddie830]

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What color suit will/did you wear to your interview?

The reason I am asking this is b/c I have heard from a few students that it could be better to wear a suit that is NOT black. They said that most people wear black to the interviews and wearing another color (ie. grey) makes a bold statement and could help you stand out a bit. In other words, you are not just another face in the crowd. What do you guys think?

 

[Biogirl361]

i don't know about all that standing out stuff, but my suit is navy 😀

 

[Mo007]

People at my interview had either black or dark grey (which I had) suites on... No Navies. 😀

 

[dr_benj]

I wore a black suit, but many people at my interviews wore other colors. I really doubt the adcoms think twice about what you are wearing unless you walked in in a clown suit or something extreme.

 

[dental pilot]

I've always heard that dark blue or grey for any interview is best, for grad school, employment, whatever... Black seems a little overly formal to me, maybe if your interview were in the evening, haha. But I could be wrong, I really don't know.

As far as standing out from the crowd goes, anything conservative (appropriate) is going to more or less blend in. The only way to really stand out is to be inappropriate, swimsuit, pumpkin halloween costume...

 

[Biogirl361]

that pumpkin suit idea.... i like it!

 

[HBomb]

I wore a dark grey suit. I thought black could be a bit too formal, but you know what? I was wrong. The color of your suit really doesn't matter!!! So to be very honest with you, I think you're making way to big a deal out of nothing, just as I did last year. Any type of professional looking suit will do.

 

[Eddie830]

I was actually debating between dark grey, dark blue, or tan. I also think black seems too formal.

 

[jjfluffy11]

I actually wore a crimson coat to my interview at UCS and everyone else wore black. I think the adcom people liked it, I mean they remember me when I called in. 😛

 

[Reed1978]

Yeah, I'm not really so sure that your attire makes all the difference in the world - so long as you dress appropriately.

I wore a navy sport jacket, and khaki wool pants. I left my jacket undone the whole time (because it's more comfortable), and a lot of people rolled their eyes at my outfit. I personally think a suit in generally is TOO formal. All the people I saw wearing a suit looked like they dragged their dads old suit out of the closet. It more or less looked like a lot of kids playing dress-up because the suits had stiff, square shoulder pads in them, and they were about 4 or 5 sizes too big - or the shoes didn't match, or the suit was all wrinkled. It will be very obvious at the interview who has never worn a suit or a tie before.

I actually drove to all my interviews the day before the interview, slept overnight in my Jeep in the dental school parking lot, then shaved and washed up at the dennys or McDonalds across the street. I got accepted to every school I interviewed at - so I must have not looked too bad.

I wouldn't sweat the interview too much. Just relax a bit and realize that everyone is a bit nervous and on edge and is probably wearing a suit that looks rediculous on them. Although I must say, all the girls interviewing with me looked rather nice in their suits - but I'm guess that they actually wear stuff like that from time to time.

 

[Zurik5]

Here is the suit I wore to a few interviews... Madras is definitely, definitely the way to go. Worked for me!

 

[edkNARF]

Why is black such a bad color for an interview? I think it looks professional and conservative. Isn't that the image a dentist should have?

 

[Sprgrover]

I wore a dark grey suit, the other applicants wore a dark navy and a black suit. Ed - black is a fine suit color.

 

[accidental]

Here is the suit I wore to a few interviews... Madras is definitely, definitely the way to go. Worked for me!

I like this one. After the interview is over you could ask a female interviewee out for lunch, take her to a park, spread out your coat, and have a picnic right on top of it - very versatile.

 

[Biogirl361]

 

[savvysearch]

I wore a navy sport jacket, and khaki wool pants. I left my jacket undone the whole time (because it's more comfortable), and a lot of people rolled their eyes at my outfit. I personally think a suit in generally is TOO formal. All the people I saw wearing a suit looked like they dragged their dads old suit out of the closet. It more or less looked like a lot of kids playing dress-up because the suits had stiff, square shoulder pads in them, and they were about 4 or 5 sizes too big - or the shoes didn't match, or the suit was all wrinkled. It will be very obvious at the interview who has never worn a suit or a tie before.

That is so true. When I went to my first interview in my black suit, I felt like such a dork. The shoulders were way too big and I felt like a kid playing dress up as well. Of course I couldn't do anything about it because I bought the suit a couple weeks before the interview and didn't have time to get it altered (and it was too cheap a suit to deserve altering). It actually made me extremely self-conscious. I wanted to wear khakis and a tie instead, but everyone warned me against it. Anyway, I say it you aren't built like a Gucci model, SPEND A LOT OF MONEY and get one really good suit made from scratch, tailored.

Black is not a good color to wear during the day. It's more evening attire. Charcoal or dark grey is the day black.

 

[msf41]

You don't need to have a suit "made from scratch" to fit you. Most stores (Dillards, JC Penny, etc.) you buy a suit off the rack and the price includes minor alterations like sleeve length, and inseam length. They will even give you a choice between cuffed pant legs or no cuff. After alterations there should be no reason why you don't feel comfortable. Alterations shouldn't take more than 3 days (for those of you shopping at the last minute).

 

[EyeCandy]

Don't worry too much about color, style, or pattern (as shown above)... It is how you present yourself personally and socially rather than if you are in a navy or black suit. Just remember to pick something that will compliment your personality and will give you confidence when you arrive for your interview. For example, I saw a fellow wearing only slacks, tie, and a collared shirt (along with socks, shoes, etc.).