Interview dressing

Med School Insiders
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Laiba

Laiba

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
May 8, 2009
Messages
243
Reaction score
0
So as many of you already know...i have one interview coming up....my only one...at LMU 🙂

Now I had a few confusions about appropriate dressing...ofcourse its my first one so I dont know much...

I got a suit....a gray pant and suit...now I was wondering underneath my suit jacket...should i be wearing a collar dress shirt...or any other shirt would do? Like you know one of those non collar ones...sometimes they are silk...round neck...sleeveless ...or even if not sleeveless...just not having a collar...so not a proper dress shirt
i know when you are wearing a suit its not absolutely necessary to have a collar shirt under it but wat about med school interviews? please tell me your experiences...what did u wear and saw other ppl wearing?

2nd questions is...i have a nose piercing...i wear a little golden nose stud thingi...is that appropriate? i mean i wear it because of my culture and all...
i dont have other piercings just nose and ears...
would they not like it? or is it okay?

3rd...heels? if im wearing one of those boots...not the high ones...like professional work ones...is 3-4 inch of heels okay?

lastly...this is stupid but my suit is gray....i obviously dont have to wear matching shoes but...black shoes under all gray suit seemed i dunno. black goes with eveything i know....ok nevermind this last one. LOL

I;m gonna blow dry my hair n keep it down i guess....
its kind of long so i want it to be organized n not on my face....but i dont wanna tie it eiter...
what did u girls do?

oh and what about nails? i know i have to keep them short and stuff...should i just get one of those clear shiny polish on them? it looks professional i think.
ofcourse no colored nailpolish

please advice!
Members don't see this ad.
 
Just don't over think it...oh wait
 
Definitely over-thinking this. Just dress business casual and you'll be fine. Now stop stressing about your interview dressing and go enjoy some cornbread dressing. Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Laiba said:
So as many of you already know...i have one interview coming up....my only one...at LMU 🙂

Now I had a few confusions about appropriate dressing...ofcourse its my first one so I dont know much...

I got a suit....a gray pant and suit...now I was wondering underneath my suit jacket...should i be wearing a collar dress shirt...or any other shirt would do? Like you know one of those non collar ones...sometimes they are silk...round neck...sleeveless ...or even if not sleeveless...just not having a collar...so not a proper dress shirt
i know when you are wearing a suit its not absolutely necessary to have a collar shirt under it but wat about med school interviews? please tell me your experiences...what did u wear and saw other ppl wearing?

2nd questions is...i have a nose piercing...i wear a little golden nose stud thingi...is that appropriate? i mean i wear it because of my culture and all...
i dont have other piercings just nose and ears...
would they not like it? or is it okay?

3rd...heels? if im wearing one of those boots...not the high ones...like professional work ones...is 3-4 inch of heels okay?

lastly...this is stupid but my suit is gray....i obviously dont have to wear matching shoes but...black shoes under all gray suit seemed i dunno. black goes with eveything i know....ok nevermind this last one. LOL

I;m gonna blow dry my hair n keep it down i guess....
its kind of long so i want it to be organized n not on my face....but i dont wanna tie it eiter...
what did u girls do?

oh and what about nails? i know i have to keep them short and stuff...should i just get one of those clear shiny polish on them? it looks professional i think.
ofcourse no colored nailpolish

please advice!
Click to expand...

Collar isn't necessary. Many women don't have a collared shirt under their blazers, including myself.

Nose piercing is ehhhh. I'd say take it out or put in a clear stud if at all possible. Facial piercings can be distracting and sometimes insulting to older patrons. 😉

3 inches is fine, 4 is kind of pushing it. Make sure you're not going on a super long tour, because your feet WILL start to die.

Black heels under grey are fine. Good, even. What other color were you considering? A matching grey? That's very monotonous...

I usually wear my hair in a ponytail because I think it's unprofessional to be playing with your hair at all during an interview. Buttt the one time I wore it down, I pinned the bangs back into a mini-poof (NOT snooki-sized).

Nails can be slightly long, just don't show up with talons. You can do a lot with the color/design, though. It doesn't have to be just clear. I saw lots of women with really neutral colors, like pale pink and such. I also saw a lot of women with french tips. I personally kept mine polishless and short, but that's more out of habit than anything else.


Good luck on your interview. 🙂
 
I agree. Even though the nose piercing is cultural, take it out for the interview. Your interviewer might not understand this.

Look clean, neat, conservative and professional!
 
i dont have any other thing to put in my nose except wats already in there
plus it really hurts if i take it out...and especialllyyy if i put it back on or something else back in

i can take it out for the interview once though...but wudnt the hole there...on my nose...just look weird??

has anybody gone in with a nose piercing ...is it really a big deal? 🙁
 
Laiba said:
i dont have any other thing to put in my nose except wats already in there
plus it really hurts if i take it out...and especialllyyy if i put it back on or something else back in

i can take it out for the interview once though...but wudnt the hole there...on my nose...just look weird??

has anybody gone in with a nose piercing ...is it really a big deal? 🙁
Click to expand...

Your nose piercing is cultural - any educated professor understands this and certainly does at DCOM.

Really, do not overthink this and do not go out and spend a fortune. It's not worth it - dress appropriate and modest. You want them to remember you - not your clothes.
 
ok im still debating about the nose stud....

but another major question...im wearing this purplish shirt under my suit jacket..its not collar...its round neck sleeveless...but its kind of long...like justttt a little below my jacket...
is it proper to leave it out? or should i tuck the shirt in my pants??

please help! lol
 
Laiba, if you're really this stressed out about how you are going to look, why don't you get dressed in your prospective interview outfit, then take a picture and post it and we'll all critique. 🙂 Feel free to block your face if you are worried about anonymity.
 
FutureDrB said:
Laiba, if you're really this stressed out about how you are going to look, why don't you get dressed in your prospective interview outfit, then take a picture and post it and we'll all critique. 🙂 Feel free to block your face if you are worried about anonymity.
Click to expand...

I see nothing wrong with this suggestion?..

Seriously, the less you stress out, while still being professional, the better you will do. I promise.
 
you are way overthinking I think. The pic suggestions is really the only way anyone can tell you how something looks.

That being said, probably not worth the effort it takes. You'll be fine.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
All of that being said, tuck it in. You're not supposed to see your shirt sticking out from under a suit jacket. But yes, the picture is a fine idea.
 
A suit is good (I saw a few ladies without suits on and they all stuck out). Collarless shirts are fine and I actually prefer them because you can show more character with your shirt choice and if you have a very long interview day then they are much more comfortable and stay neater. And YES definitely tuck your shirt in and button the blazer. Normally I would say wear very comfy shoes since some tours/days can be long; however, at DCOM you are not on your feet very long since it is all in one building or you are in the shuttle bus. As for hair, I always put it up in either a bun or a low pony tail with my hair parted because it is both professional and also nice to have it out of your face. Nails, so long as they are not crazy it doesn't matter and I can't imagine anyone caring about your nails unless they are some crazy color or dagger length. I keep mine medium length and without polish.

As for your nose ring...if it were me I would just keep it in since that would look better than a hole in your nose and feeling subconscious about that. I have seen some women with nose studs so small I barely noticed they were there. So I say as long as it is modest and small then it shouldn't be that distracting.

My biggest advice on what you should wear to the interview is confidence. Just relax and be yourself because at this point in the game that is all you can do.
 
I don't know much about women's clothing other yeah tuck everything in and look orderly, but I just hope you can channel your emotions towards enthusiasm and knowledge about the school (I'm sure you've read their website inside and out) because it's very evident how much you care about your DCOM interview. That's really what interviewers care about at the end of the day. Good luck!
 
when is your interview Laiba??

you are way overstressing about this. And having gone through that same phase myself, I totally see where you're coming from. I was even worried about if I should wear a belt or not, or if my one-button (vs two-button) suit jacket was ok or not, lol!

So, having been through this, I can say only this: just look professional, and dress in the way that makes you feel confident, and happy... collared shirt or collarless, white shirt or blue or any other reasonable colour, carrying a purse or not, letting your hair down or up, really does not matter as much as it seems to before interviews. =)

I have really long hair (until my wait), and I pinned them for 2 interviews, and let them fully loose for 1 (straightened though!)...both styles worked fine! if you have short bangs though, then you might want to consider pinning them...

About your nose stud, if it's really small, I wouldn't worry about it.

Lastly, my best interview was the one in which I dressed the way in which I felt happy (a shirt of totally different colour and style, hair loose). So....it's you, your personality, that should stand out. Just dress in a professional and neat manner, and be yourself! Good luck and let us know how it goes 👍 (or went 😛)!
 
I think it was yesterday!! How did it go??
 
Am I the only one that reads her name as Labia?

@_______@
 
grrrrrrrrrr @ all of u

drgioiadds: it went okayyy i think. i dont know to be honest...:-s it was wayyy too short. like 20 min...plus way too easy. why lmu why medicine why rural done.
i dont knoww im realllyyy hoping for some good news by this tuesday 🙁
 
DrWily said:
Am I the only one that reads her name as Labia?

@_______@
Click to expand...

Nope. That's literally what I think everytime I see the name. I would say it's a guy thing, but I'm sure some of the chicks up in here think the same thing.
 
Laiba said:
grrrrrrrrrr @ all of u

drgioiadds: it went okayyy i think. i dont know to be honest...:-s it was wayyy too short. like 20 min...plus way too easy. why lmu why medicine why rural done.
i dont knoww im realllyyy hoping for some good news by this tuesday 🙁
Click to expand...

20 min is not a short interview! I would say it is average.

Remember:
1) If they didn't like your application/background they wouldn't invite you. They don't have extra time to waste on people who have no chance.
2) They already know everything that there is to know about you academics/ECs/etc. They just want to make sure you can carry a conversation without any complications.
3) Based on my experience, long interviews are for people who are extremely interesting or have some issues in their application (i.e. 10-20% of applicants).

Good Luck!:luck:
 
bala565 said:
20 min is not a short interview! I would say it is average.
Click to expand...

Really? I was gonna say it's pretty short, but that's been MY experience. Everyone is different, I guess. I've been on 7 interviews and all of them have been about an hour long. Btw, I'm not saying a short interview is a bad thing. Some schools have short interviews, but I haven't been to those schools so I don't know.
 
Mbeas said:
Really? I was gonna say it's pretty short, but that's been MY experience. Everyone is different, I guess. I've been on 7 interviews and all of them have been about an hour long.
Click to expand...

Wow! you must be a very interesting candidate or you have some issues with your application (hopefully the former)!

I went to more than a few med school interviews and I'm doing residency interviews right now, none of them lasted more than 30 mins (i.e. I'm not interesting [as you can tell from my posts] and I have no issues/red flags).

But I wouldn't lose any sleep over the length of interview as longs you weren't escorted out by security prior to completion of the interview!

But that is also MY experience and your results may vary!
 
My interview at LMU-DCOM lasted about 30-35 minutes, but we spent the first 10ish talking about how I broke my leg since I was still in a cast on the day of my interview. So I was 20-25 minutes of normal interview questions.
 
ParacrineAgent said:
My interview at LMU-DCOM lasted about 30-35 minutes, but we spent the first 10ish talking about how I broke my leg since I was still in a cast on the day of my interview. So I was 20-25 minutes of normal interview questions.
Click to expand...

It's wild how interview times vary so greatly. Mine was 10 minutes, max.
 
AZCOM told me straight up when I went in: we have 20 min max and will stop you when time is done.

Didn't feel like twenty minutes. Felt like 10 min of casual conversation and we were having a good time. They had some interesting questions and I had some interesting answers which led us on all sorts of tangents. Felt good.
 
Would it be appropriate to wear a dress? I gotta be honest I can't see myself wearing a pants suit for my interview. Wouldn't they like to see something professional that goes with your personality?
Something like this:
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&h...2&tbnw=103&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0
or this (one on right)
I know it isn't a fashion show but shouldn't you wear something that makes you confident (nothing trashy though)?
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1192&bih=512&tbm=isch&tbnid=A6QKuNnXC63aZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fashionmefabulous.com/2008/12/plus-size-interview-looks.html&docid=qEFvZMsble2Y0M&imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0-r_45IkC0/SVkTj1xvgkI/AAAAAAAACaM/Mqmw7c2n0Eg/s400/plus%252Bsize%252Binterview%252Bdresses.jpg&w=330&h=321&ei=dqfZTvzfKOLj0QGW86GkCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=104&vpy=143&dur=507&hovh=221&hovw=228&tx=119&ty=120&sig=102877492335004093506&page=1&tbnh=152&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
 
Rule #1 of Interview Attire:

Don't stick out in a bad way. You want your words to be what makes you unique, not your dress code.

i.e. if the norm for women is pants suit, then go with a pants suit. (I know nothing of women's interview attire. Read the threads posted earlier)
 
I believe that I read somewhere that a suit with a skirt is acceptable. That is, assuming that it is long enough. I think if you show up in a full on dress, you will look like you're trying too hard, to be honest. To use your own link,
plus+size+suit.jpg
is probably more what you should be going for. You are trying to show them that you can be professional, not that you can dress fancier, even if a dress fits your personality.

All of that being said, if you honestly think wearing a dress will make a significant difference in how you feel and act during your interview, then you might have to risk it.
 
Dogcat1290 said:
Would it be appropriate to wear a dress? I gotta be honest I can't see myself wearing a pants suit for my interview. Wouldn't they like to see something professional that goes with your personality?
Something like this:
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&h...2&tbnw=103&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0
or this (one on right)
I know it isn't a fashion show but shouldn't you wear something that makes you confident (nothing trashy though)?
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1192&bih=512&tbm=isch&tbnid=A6QKuNnXC63aZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fashionmefabulous.com/2008/12/plus-size-interview-looks.html&docid=qEFvZMsble2Y0M&imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0-r_45IkC0/SVkTj1xvgkI/AAAAAAAACaM/Mqmw7c2n0Eg/s400/plus%252Bsize%252Binterview%252Bdresses.jpg&w=330&h=321&ei=dqfZTvzfKOLj0QGW86GkCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=104&vpy=143&dur=507&hovh=221&hovw=228&tx=119&ty=120&sig=102877492335004093506&page=1&tbnh=152&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
Click to expand...

The first one looks nice, but I think the second one is a little "loud".
 
Mbeas said:
Nope. That's literally what I think everytime I see the name. I would say it's a guy thing, but I'm sure some of the chicks up in here think the same thing.
Click to expand...

Wow. I guess I should really work on my observational skills because it took y'all pointing out the similarities to make me realize that's NOT what it said. :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: Ouch.
 
sylvanthus said:
jesus there are like 50 threads about womens interview clothing. Seriously, dont dress like a slut and be professional and you will be fine.
Click to expand...

Really if it annoys you seeing these threads then don't reply to them. Nobody asked you personally for your opinion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Interview
Replies
2
Views
647
Pile O' Nephritis
Pile O' Nephritis
W
Interview Timing
Replies
2
Views
690
Goro
Goro
BM0
  • Locked
Pikeville Interview
Replies
2
Views
1K
Goro
Goro
ecobio
Interview advice?
Replies
3
Views
781
Goro
Goro
S
  • Question Question
Attending open house after interview?
Replies
1
Views
397
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top