Interview dress code??? Help!!!!

[lynx]

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I just recieved my first interview invitation. I am excited as I am frustrated, well, that's usual I guess😀 I have no idea how should I dress up? I've seen applicants wearing all black. Why?
All the girls were weraing pants, no skirts...What's the dress code for the medschool interview???? Help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!Please.....😕

 

[savvyr]

A pants or skirt suit. Good luck!

 

[MeowMix]

look for past threads on this topic...

a black suit (can be dress/skirt + jacket or pants + jacket) is standard, but it gets soooo boring to walk into another room of people in black suits, looks like a funeral

a suit in another tasteful color would be even better (olive, dark navy, grey, even dark burgundy/purple for women), if you can find one - I'd avoid light colors for the stain potential

at least wear something other than a white shirt with a black suit

and wear nylons or something on your legs if you wear a skirt

 

[Sharkfan]

This is what I have been told, and I know it works.

Girls: Dark suit with a skirt. Nude hose. Closed-toed shoes. Hair up or away from face. Minimal jewelry. Minimal perfume.

The idea is to be very conservative. I was peeved to learn that pants for girls is considered "less formal" than skirts (how sexist can we get???), but bit my lip and went with it. The last thing you want you interviewers to think is "why is she dressed like that?" They are picking people who are someday going to have to give patients serious, life-altering news. In this environment, conservative = safe. Why rock the boat and stick out like a sore thumb on interview day? If you're serious about your interviews, act it and dress the part.

Don't get me wrong; I am as un-formal and non-conservative as a female can get. But my school's advisors were VERY firm on this subject and I thank them for it.

 

[Anka]

I wore a black skirt suit with relatively flat, nice shoes. I just can't wear heels. At some places I was definitly the most dressed up, at others I felt bad I wasn't wearing heels. In general, though, I felt very comfortable, well-dressed, and was able to walk for an hour on those tours they take you on. My hair is short, so I just made sure it was neat. A little bit of makeup (foundation, very light blush, neutral lipstick, etc.).

Good luck on your interview! Just be [or look] confident 🙂

Anka

 

[dustyrze]

I had to reply to this one! My advisors were also very firm about going all-black, skirt suit, especially for some of the more conservative East coast schools, but I wasn't really able to afford buying an entire new outfit.

I stuck with my "lucky suit"...a pistachio green skirt suit which falls an inch or two above the knees, and a white tank top. Granted, I was one of the three non-black suits I saw throughout the entire interview process, but I felt confident and comfortable in the suit...and that's the most important thing. This did not negatively impact even the most conservative schools, and I was glad to be remembered.

I went with my regular makeup and hair down. So again, I don't think that anyone should be obligated to spend any extra money buying an all-conservative outfit/makeup just for interviews.

 

[GTea]

There was a girl at one of my interviews who wore sandals.

 

[exmike]

hunter green

 

[lilstina]

i remember one girl at one of my interviews was wearing a short sleeved white tshirt, black pants (not particularly dressy) and completely white sneakers, like skechers. 😕 but maybe she had a good reason for her outfit... i dunno.

i wore a charcoal gray pants suit with either a blue or burgundy shirt underneath... and that was pretty much because it was the only one i could find that was a decent price, fit me well, and i actually liked. i saw a mix of dark colored pants and dress suits, and i can't remember exactly, but i think it was pretty even. and this was the south... somewhere i've been told that interviewers prefer skirt suits on girls as they are more conservative.

 

[SaltySqueegee]

Originally posted by exmike
hunter green

a jinx on you and your house...

 

[Anka]

Everyone wears black because it's the most conservative, although other very conservative colors are okay (like charcoal or something... I dunno, I just wore black b/c I didn't want to think about it). Skirt suits are more conservative, but pant suits are more comfortable for a lot of people. I, personally, prefer skirt suits.

Good luck on your interview!!! Knock 'em dead!

Anka

 

[nibrocli]

Originally posted by lilstina
i remember one girl at one of my interviews was wearing a short sleeved white tshirt, black pants (not particularly dressy) and completely white sneakers, like skechers. 😕 but maybe she had a good reason for her outfit... i dunno.

maybe the airline lost her luggage? this has always been a huge fear of mine. i think i'd wear a sign around my neck telling people why i'm so underdressed!!!

of course most interviewees carry on their luggage, but sometimes you're forced to check bags.

 

[carrigallen]

personally, i think most of the luggage mishaps are overplayed. ie, people forget to pack their suit, etc. Granted, luggage does get waylaid, but it is not something that happens to 1/10 interviewees. =)

 

[mspacman]

what about pinstripes? black suit with pinstripes? good or bad?

 

[nibrocli]

Originally posted by mspacman
what about pinstripes? black suit with pinstripes? good or bad?

subtle pinstripes ok

 

[aidan73]

Jumping the gun a little bit here - just now taking the MCAT next month so it will be awhile before any interview offers come in, but what do you guys think about longer skirt suits?

I NEVER wear short skirts (or ANY skirt for that matter) and sure as anything I would forget and the interviewer would get a little flash!

 

[btchance]

Originally posted by aidan73
Jumping the gun a little bit here - just now taking the MCAT next month so it will be awhile before any interview offers come in, but what do you guys think about longer skirt suits?

I NEVER wear short skirts (or ANY skirt for that matter) and sure as anything I would forget and the interviewer would get a little flash!

Don't know about really long skirts. I wore a skirt that hit around the middle of my knees, which is a fairly safe length. Going too long is better than going too short, though.

 

[clowne]

By all means, don't wear a bowtie! They would never take you seriously if you did. Good luck with your interviews and choice of apparrel.

 

[beastmaster]

I was hoping to attend an interview with casual business dress. Meaning, no tie. Suit and cotton long-sleave shirt, but no tie. Unfortunately I'm plagued with wait-lists and I didn't want to gamble testing out a more user-friendly dress code.

 

[Sharky]

Sometimes a t-shirt and jeans is more than appropriate.

 

[docmemi]

Originally posted by Sharky
Sometimes a t-shirt and jeans is more than appropriate.

a t-shirt with sharks on it, right?.

 

[jlee9531]

just anything that looks professional (suit type) and you look good in. ive seen girls on the interview path not do the typical black/charcoal attire and they all seem to have great post interview thoughts when we asked how it all went.

 

[Celestron2000]

To my first interview I wore a suit (skirt-suit) that was yellow, I'm not kidding. It was the only suit I had, and I was un-aware that everyone else would be wearing black. At an interview day with about thirty other applicants I stood out like a sore thumb. I tried not to let it get to me and still had good interviews. A couple of weeks later they called me to tell me that I was in and that my interviews had gone very well. Clearly they didn't hold it against me, maybe it even helped. It does seem a bit risky though, you never know who's going to interview you.

 

[ralhtar]

i'd have to agree that while choice of clothing can have some impact.....unless u look very shabby and unprofessional..wht you wear does not bear a whole lot on your interview...i wore the typical black pant suit wiht white pinstripes and a white shirt...however at my interviews there were girls wearing brown skirt suit, one just had black pants and a purple shirt and some had the black suit/red shirt combo going...so it doens't matter...jsut amke sure whatever you wear...u look professional and clean...

 

[celticmists18]

Hey,
With regards to the skirt/pants debate . . . where what you are comfortable in. I'm sooooo not a skirt girl so I went with the pants and I didn't feel out of place at any of my interviews. As for shirt color, 90% of the people there will be wearing white, but I think colors help you distinguish yourself. I went for the CIA agent look with a black pants suit, crisp white shirt, hair down ('cause I look like I'm 16 when I put it up), heels, and my one ode to individuality my surfer-style thumb ring. Good Luck!

 

[mosoriire]

I am wearing a red, fire-engine skirt suit. It's the best I could afford. If they dont like it, they dont have to accept me. At least, I will feel comfortable.

 

[rebeclette]

I think that you can wear pants or a skirt suit, I was able to afford both the pants and skirt to go with my jaket, which was nice. I switched between depending on the weather, I think that if its like 10 degrees outside they won't look down on you for wearing pants, they might appritiate that you are prepared for the weather.
Also, at some of my interviews the admissions staff actually commented positively when people wore something other than black, so if you feel comfortable a dark conservative color might be good!