Interview Dress Code?

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CardiologyJosh

CardiologyJosh

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Hi All,

I am currently in search for a suit, and since I don't really have alot of money, I figured make this suit the suit I will also wear for med school interviews in a year or so from now.

I was thinking maybe a dark grey suit - I know that alot of people wear black, but the point is to also distinguish ones self and stick out in someones memory - can a dark charcoal grey suit paired with something like a light blue dress shirt accomplish this without coming off as non-conservative?

Also, I realize it is important to minimize jewelery and such - but is a watch, college ring, and lapel pin okay? or is that too much?

Also, are obnoxiously shiny black shoes the standard, or should something quieter be worn?

Thanks!
 
Go to pre-allo and scroll back. You will find a 10+ page thread on this topic.
 
Dead horses aside, my #1 fear in the suit-picking process was that I'd look like that guy who shows up at your door with a Bible in the middle of a football game. I went with a reasonably modern-cut charcoal gray suit, white shirt, and a gold tie. It was my first dressy outfit that made me feel more cool than tool, and that's what's really important, not necessarily the details.
 
You all said pre-allo, but what about those who are pre-osteo?
 
jasin said:
You all said pre-allo, but what about those who are pre-osteo?
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That's just the forum the thread happens to be in. I can't imagine why the discussion in that thread wouldn't be applicable to, well, any formal interview.
 
mauberley said:
That's just the forum the thread happens to be in. I can't imagine why the discussion in that thread wouldn't be applicable to, well, any formal interview.
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I hear DO schools like bowties. 😎
 
CardiologyJosh said:
....helpful.
Click to expand...
The answers don't change just because people retype them for you.

jasin said:
You all said pre-allo, but what about those who are pre-osteo?
Click to expand...

You mean pre-janitor? We can wear whatever we want to our DO interviews as long as it has our name stitched on it. Don't buy a new pair of boots though, it will make you look like a rookie. Wear your most worn, broken in boots so your interviewer knows you have experience.
 
CardiologyJosh said:
Hi All,

I am currently in search for a suit, and since I don't really have alot of money, I figured make this suit the suit I will also wear for med school interviews in a year or so from now.

I was thinking maybe a dark grey suit - I know that alot of people wear black, but the point is to also distinguish ones self and stick out in someones memory - can a dark charcoal grey suit paired with something like a light blue dress shirt accomplish this without coming off as non-conservative?

Also, I realize it is important to minimize jewelery and such - but is a watch, college ring, and lapel pin okay? or is that too much?

Also, are obnoxiously shiny black shoes the standard, or should something quieter be worn?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm the last person who should be giving advice on clothing, but having been to several interviews at this point, I can tell you that no one really cares what you wear. Some folks in the pre-allo forum make too big a deal out of it. As long as it's a conservative business suit, you're fine.

Charcoal suit is fine. I normally see white shirts, but I personally don't think a light blue shirt will hurt or help. Make sure you iron them. Make sure you where a tie. Make sure you have a belt. Shiny or non-shiny black shoes are fine, but wear black socks with them. As for jewelry, wear what matters to you. Watch and ring are fine, skip the lapel unless it has significance.

Since you mention not having a lot of money, consider getting suits and shirts at TJMaxx, Marshalls or other similar discount stores. They carry decent name-brand clothing. But name brand or not, as long as you look well groomed, you should be fine.
 
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I agree with ghostman. You may think you're sticking out from the crowd of all black suits by going with gray, but there's someone every day who does that. It's not the threads that make applicants shine, it's their personalities. Everyone comes in with their obligatory research or volunteer experience, or canned response on why they want to help people. Be the applicant that stands out for some other reason. What are you bringing to the school that is of interest? Because it's not a gray suit. (and yes, you can wear a watch and pin)
 
CardiologyJosh said:
Hi All,

I am currently in search for a suit, and since I don't really have alot of money, I figured make this suit the suit I will also wear for med school interviews in a year or so from now.

I was thinking maybe a dark grey suit - I know that alot of people wear black, but the point is to also distinguish ones self and stick out in someones memory - can a dark charcoal grey suit paired with something like a light blue dress shirt accomplish this without coming off as non-conservative?

Also, I realize it is important to minimize jewelery and such - but is a watch, college ring, and lapel pin okay? or is that too much?

Also, are obnoxiously shiny black shoes the standard, or should something quieter be worn?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Go conservative. Suits can be black, gray or dark blue. Shirts can be blue, white or ecru, generally without a pattern. Mostly cotton. You have a bit of leeway with ties, but the traditional power interview outfit is a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, and you should err in that direction if you aren't sure what you ate doing. Just try to keep tie patterns conservative. No animal or doctor related cutesy patterns. In terms of jewelry for men be very limited. Wedding rings are always fine. A watch is fine. I've seen folks get away with cufflinks, but I'd save those for another time. I wouldnt recommend lapel pins, tie tacks, tie chains, pinky rings or bracelets for men. As for college ring, you can wear it if you aren't already wearing a wedding ring, and if it's not one of those giant, diamond studded SuperBowl looking things. I wouldn't (didn't) though.

As for shoes, not sure what you mean by super shiny. It should be clean and polished. I would stay away from patent leather tux shoes, but a polished pair of wing tips is always fine. Work shoes, walking shoes, boat shoes, and "dress" sneakers are not really appropriate.
 
I would agree with the majority of what has been said so far. Stay conservative: a black, grey or navy suit, with a white or light blue shirt and a non-flashy tie. I would also add that it is worthwhile to either buy your suit somewhere that they will tailor the fit to you, or if you are buying it off the rack, then taking it to a tailor afterward. Making sure it fits properly will go a long way to making you look professional, it's much more important than issues of black vs. charcoal in my opinion.
 
All of what has been said hits the head on the nail, just remember that they're really looking at your personality at these interviews not your closes so much.
 
I'll throw my 2 cents in here. I spent quite a bit of time looking for a suit and was pretty dissappointed at the cost. I'm a poor nontrad and don't have $600 laying around to spend on a suit. I did some research though and found a pretty good source for nice suits on the cheap.

I just bought this suit:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-S...avy-Blue-Suit/3825705/product.html?cid=123620

it was $85, shipped to me in 3 days and is nicer than most of the suits that I looked at at places like Kohls, Macy's, JC Penny, Mens Warehouse etc.

I'm a hard guy to fit, it takes a 48 to fit me in the shoulders, but I'm not overweight enough to fill out the bottom half of the Jacket. $37 in alterations got me the perfect fit in the coat and hemming on the pants.

The suit came in its own zippered suit cover, which impressed me.

All told, I will have spent about $150 to get the suit and have it altered, dry cleaned and pressed. I couldn't even find a nice blazer for that price anywhere else.
 
Deekle said:
I'll throw my 2 cents in here. I spent quite a bit of time looking for a suit and was pretty dissappointed at the cost. I'm a poor nontrad and don't have $600 laying around to spend on a suit. I did some research though and found a pretty good source for nice suits on the cheap.

I just bought this suit:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-S...avy-Blue-Suit/3825705/product.html?cid=123620

it was $85, shipped to me in 3 days and is nicer than most of the suits that I looked at at places like Kohls, Macy's, JC Penny, Mens Warehouse etc.

I'm a hard guy to fit, it takes a 48 to fit me in the shoulders, but I'm not overweight enough to fill out the bottom half of the Jacket. $37 in alterations got me the perfect fit in the coat and hemming on the pants.

The suit came in its own zippered suit cover, which impressed me.

All told, I will have spent about $150 to get the suit and have it altered, dry cleaned and pressed. I couldn't even find a nice blazer for that price anywhere else.
Click to expand...

The good news is if you take care of it and stay the same size, you'll have another set of interviews at the other end of med schools you can use it for.
 
Law2Doc said:
The good news is if you take care of it and stay the same size, you'll have another set of interviews at the other end of med schools you can use it for.
Click to expand...

I did not wear a suit to my interviews. Fitted slacks, white dress shirt, black tie, nice tie clip, good looking shoes. All in all, that little ensemble must have cost me about two fitty. One of the dean of admissions told me that I dressed "sharply." I took that as a compliment, and it must have been one because I got accepted there.

That being said, and as someone soon to experience being income-less, I'd recommend that you get a nice suit now, get it fitted, and keep it for residency interviews. Black, sheen-less, wool (or wool-blend) is best, and will keep the longest. White shirt, and a dark tie. Don't wear a red tie, it conveys dominance and power, when you want to play the supplicant in these things, usually. Black/dark brown/dark blue conveys confidence and humility (in theory). Light colors might convey a sense of kiddish-ness and playfulness...which might work in your favor if you look older.

Do not underestimate the psychology of fashion. All said and done...don't show up in a Lady Gaga outfit, and you'll probably do fine.
 
iamaunicorn said:
I did not wear a suit to my interviews. Fitted slacks, white dress shirt, black tie, nice tie clip, good looking shoes. All in all, that little ensemble must have cost me about two fitty. One of the dean of admissions told me that I dressed "sharply." I took that as a compliment, and it must have been one because I got accepted there.

That being said, and as someone soon to experience being income-less, I'd recommend that you get a nice suit now, get it fitted, and keep it for residency interviews. Black, sheen-less, wool (or wool-blend) is best, and will keep the longest. White shirt, and a dark tie. Don't wear a red tie, it conveys dominance and power, when you want to play the supplicant in these things, usually. Black/dark brown/dark blue conveys confidence and humility (in theory). Light colors might convey a sense of kiddish-ness and playfulness...which might work in your favor if you look older.

Do not underestimate the psychology of fashion. All said and done...don't show up in a Lady Gaga outfit, and you'll probably do fine.
Click to expand...

First, your own experience notwithstanding, you should always wear a suit to a med school interview. You got lucky, but I promise you it probably cost you some points on the "looks professional" box on various interviewers forms. Second, yes you want to convey dominance and power -- that's why they ask about leadership in med school applications. They don't want supplicants, they want future leaders. So the red tie is well in the range of choices you should consider.
 
Law2Doc said:
First, your own experience notwithstanding, you should always wear a suit to a med school interview. You got lucky, but I promise you it probably cost you some points on the "looks professional" box on various interviewers forms. Second, yes you want to convey dominance and power -- that's why they ask about leadership in med school applications. They don't want supplicants, they want future leaders. So the red tie is well in the range of choices you should consider.
Click to expand...

Hmm...your probably right. I think the advice of wearing a suit is a good one. I always thought the "leadership" for ECs was just to indicate how good an applicant is at jostling for meaningless titles in school clubs. Then again, you might be right about conveying a commanding personality; although, I felt that most of my interviewers responded positively to fawning adoration of their work.

Meh...go with whatever brings out the color of your eyes.
 
It's perfectly fine to not wear black suits. If I recall of my fashion rules, black suits are for funerals, weddings, and uniforms. I feel like a lot of people have black suits because they received them for special occasions, and they wear them because that's all they have.

On the power suit level, most common though process is dark as possible without actually being black, which is in general, charcoal. The color seems to be pretty popular for a power suits for interviews.

Watches are fine; you need one when you're a med student anyways. A ring help with job interviews for men, but it doesn't matter for med school interview. Lapel pins, I am meh on, but if it works with the rest of your outfit.
 
Navy blue suit. Grey is what guys wore to work in the fifties. Black is for dinner jackets (tuxedos). Red or blue tie. Any other color--yellow, etc.--can only be worn well by someone who either by benefit of money or power, or both, can afford to look aloof. Blue or white shirt. You can do a lot with the tie. Red is more powerful; blue is calm. Black shoes, belt, and socks.
 
I have a rusty yellow smiley face button which I've been carrying around for years and years... stuck it into my tie - got accepted first round after interview (yeah correlation is not causation but they asked about it). I forgot my good watch and had to wear my $10 Casio digital, which I like better anyway because it does more. My suit cost $2000 though. I'm no expert on men's fashion, but most of the guys looked bad. If you put a little bit of effort into it, you can look better than the crowd without spending a ton of cash. If you have a female interviewer, they will notice every little thing about your appearance.

You can't go wrong with gray, but navy is OK too. Black, definitely not, this isn't your funeral. Make sure your watch, belt buckle, cuff links, and any other metal on your body is color-coordinated. Dark red/maroon silk ties are good. Don't tuck the narrow portion of your tie into the label on the back of the wide portion. Practice wearing your suit a few times so you start to feel comfortable in it. I got some awesome Rockport oxfords that look pretty good (at least when new) and are super comfortable. Most interviews will have you walking around a lot so they can show you the facilities. I have some really expensive shoes that feel like torture devices if you have to walk more than a km.
 
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What's with all the hating on black??? You can lean on something and look all cool like a CK model...or carry around a sword and pretend to be a Yakuza. So you either charm your interviewer, or scare them...sometimes both.

In all seriousness. Buy a gray, navy, black suit in your price range, a sober tie, and a reasonably nice belt/shoes. Your interviewers will be much more interested in your application and how you communicate rather than how boldly red or playfully yellow your tie is. No Brioni is going to make your interviewer forget something egregious on your application.

BTW...when I talked to the dean of admissions for the (albeit only 1) school I got into, I asked him if my not wearing a suit came across as unprofessional at all. He told me that it wasn't even a factor, and that the more important thing was that I looked like a happy person. So just wear something normal dude, smile, and forget about it.
 
iamaunicorn said:
What's with all the hating on black??? You can lean on something and look all cool like a CK model...or carry around a sword and pretend to be a Yakuza. So you either charm your interviewer, or scare them...sometimes both.

In all seriousness. Buy a gray, navy, black suit in your price range, a sober tie, and a reasonably nice belt/shoes. Your interviewers will be much more interested in your application and how you communicate rather than how boldly red or playfully yellow your tie is. No Brioni is going to make your interviewer forget something egregious on your application.

BTW...when I talked to the dean of admissions for the (albeit only 1) school I got into, I asked him if my not wearing a suit came across as unprofessional at all. He told me that it wasn't even a factor, and that the more important thing was that I looked like a happy person. So just wear something normal dude, smile, and forget about it.
Click to expand...

Still though, you must have gone into that interview knowing full well that it was a risk to have not worn a suit. I'm definitely not going to take that risk. A low undergraduate GPA is reason enough to not consider me for admission, why give them another reason.

I think I shall go with the following:

Dark Charcoal or Dark Grey Suit
Light Blue Button-Collar shirt
Dark Blue Tie (perhaps with white diagonal pinstripes)
Black Polished Oxfords
Black Leather Belt
BLACK DRESS SOCKS
University Seal Lapel Pin (given to me as a good luck present by one of my professors,)
Black-face Aluminum cased Black Leather strap chronograph watch (gift from me, to me)

I may forgo my college ring as it is akin to a world series champs ring. (not diamond student, but big and ornate with a massive garnet)

Anyone wanna tell me what they think of this getup?

Thanks!
 
Please, for the love of God, if you only follow one piece of advice:

DO NOT GET A BLACK SUIT.
 
CardiologyJosh said:
Still though, you must have gone into that interview knowing full well that it was a risk to have not worn a suit. I'm definitely not going to take that risk. A low undergraduate GPA is reason enough to not consider me for admission, why give them another reason.

I think I shall go with the following:

Dark Charcoal or Dark Grey Suit
Light Blue Button-Collar shirt
Dark Blue Tie (perhaps with white diagonal pinstripes)
Black Polished Oxfords
Black Leather Belt
BLACK DRESS SOCKS
University Seal Lapel Pin (given to me as a good luck present by one of my professors,)
Black-face Aluminum cased Black Leather strap chronograph watch (gift from me, to me)

I may forgo my college ring as it is akin to a world series champs ring. (not diamond student, but big and ornate with a massive garnet)

Anyone wanna tell me what they think of this getup?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd probably go with a spread or pinpoint collar shirt rather than a button-down. Button-down collars are considered more informal.
 
Learn to tie a half-windsor for the spread collar. And you'll be looking fly.


Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk
 
Any reason why men aren't supposed to tuck the narrow end of the tie into the label of the wide end of the tie? That's a new one on me.

For what it's worth, my only acceptance so far came from a charcoal gray suit, yellow (tucked) tie, and cufflinks. I broke all the rules.
 
Watching Bill Maher right now, all the guys have their ties tucked. Never heard that rule in my life. Maybe they're thinking of how you don't button the bottom button on a double breasted suit?
 
DHURT said:
One with that stature probably wouldn't be complimented well by a spread. And a FIH knot with a spread... 🙄
Click to expand...

Totally with you. Spread + FIH = perfection.

I think the spread collar works for just about any height, as long as the collar points and height are in proper proportion. Face shape is a different story though.
 
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