Interviewing in cold weather

[213965]

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This question pertains more to the ladies, but what do you all do regarding coats/shoes in cold weather (or snow)?

I've never been in snow before, or anything below 30 degrees, for that matter, and I really like my skirt suit. So obviously I cannot wear sneakers or dress shoes with socks. So what do you do about shoes in the cold weather, esp. regarding snow and slippery sidewalks?

Also, do schools usually have somewhere to hang coats, or are you forced to carry it along during the tour or all day (and possibly feeling awkward)? Or do you just forgo the coat since most of the tour is probably indoors, but then what if some the day requires walking outdoors between buildings, do you just freeze for those brief minutes?

For now I am thinking of wearing a thick wool trench coat type jacket thing, but it doesn't necessarily match my suit. Does this matter? And as I've mentioned earlier, I'm worried about the problem of having to carry it around all day.

Thanks guys.

 

[DrMidlife]

In my experience, and in observing smart things the other women did, I suggest the following:

1. Assume that once you're inside the building, that there will be a room where all the interviewees are corralled, and that you'll be able to leave a coat/bag there, on your chair or in a closet.
2. You can bring 2 pair of shoes: one for walking and one for your interview (smart in warm weather too). If you suspect you'll be walking through snow on a tour, maybe bring flats, pumps AND boots.
3. If you need a bag (such as for extra shoes), then plan to carry a small portfolio and pen into your interview, leaving the bag with your coat.
4. If you have a car, then plan to secure everything you can in the car. You don't need to carry a purse around - leave your valuables in the car, well hidden etc. Don't bring stuff you don't need, and yes you will have time to go to the bathroom.
5. If there's underground parking, or you'll otherwise be indoors once you get out of the car, then leave the big coat in the car so you don't have to deal with it.
6. It totally doesn't matter whether your coat is fashionable or not, but I'd suggest avoiding anything brightly colored. Borrow a trench from somebody.
7. Don't forget gloves, but skip a hat if you're going to worry about your hair. A compact umbrella is nice, just in case.

Best of luck to you.

 

[niranjan162]

consider that most of the schools are only one building

 

[HeatherMD]

lol

You can still wear your skirt suit. Nylons or black tights (which look great with almost anything) will keep your legs warm enough. Low heeled or flat shoes are best for icy sidewalks. Chances are you won't have to go through much, if any, snow because most places are good about keeping paths shoveled & salted.

I have a wool coat as well that I usually wear out with nice outfits. I don't think it matters if it doesn't match your suit. Warmth > fashion. Chances are, there will be a place for you to hang it, so you won't be forced to carry it.

Can't believe you've never been in snow before!! Hope you like it =)

 

[DrMattOglesby]

oh...i know why this is posted now...
When I went to Creighton, it was surprisingly nice weather! There was no snow around. In fact, it was a bright and sunshiny day. Surprised me a lot.

 

[213965]

Haha thanks, Matt As an aside, do you remember having to do anything outdoors at Creighton?

And then there's also LECOM and a handful of other "cold weather schools" I could potentially hear back from in the near future if I get lucky.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

The only "outside activities" at Creighton were my walk to the school after arriving there that morning (with a ride from my student host). Then after breakfast and presentations, we got into a shuttle and headed across the street to the hospital (to eat lunch, do interviews, and go on a tour). We took the shuttle back to the main campus and received some final presentations and did a tour of the school and talked to a lot of students. It was all VERY relaxed!

 

[RySerr21]

im really glad i went to Des Moines in the Fall.....i would hate to see the weather now! Same goes for Chicago! haha

 

[213965]

Can't believe you've never been in snow before!! Hope you like it =)

Thanks, Heather. I've been in hail before, but it kinda hurt my skin and it was rather nasty (left some dents in my car) 🙁

 

[Dissected]

im really glad i went to Des Moines in the Fall.....i would hate to see the weather now! Same goes for Chicago! haha

ya man its pretty darn cold...its only gonna get colder, and snowier 😀

 

[MossPoh]

I think any school that makes you take a death march through snow would probably be off my list anyway.

Why worry about shoes? You lose feeling in your feet pretty quick anyway.

 

[213965]

Haha, you are right. I was mostly worried about the slippery sidewalk scenario seeing as I only invested in one skirt suit so I can't exactly wear regular walking shoes with the skirt. I think I will listen to DrMidlife's advice though and come prepared with the flats, pumps and boots just in case since I am pretty clumsy.

 

[DrYoda]

Haha, you are right. I was mostly worried about the slippery sidewalk scenario seeing as I only invested in one skirt suit so I can't exactly wear regular walking shoes with the skirt. I think I will listen to DrMidlife's advice though and come prepared with the flats, pumps and boots just in case since I am pretty clumsy.

With all the $ medical schools have I would hope they would salt their sidewalks. But I guess you never know.

 

[MossPoh]

Haha, you are right. I was mostly worried about the slippery sidewalk scenario seeing as I only invested in one skirt suit so I can't exactly wear regular walking shoes with the skirt. I think I will listen to DrMidlife's advice though and come prepared with the flats, pumps and boots just in case since I am pretty clumsy.

I used to sit at a coffee shop at my old school on Thursday and Friday evenings and watch the girls in their little skirts and stilettos try to trek up a hill or stairs with all the ice and snow. It was my guilty pleasure. I would take DrMidlife's advice too...if I were a chick, although my man dress shoes suck and have no traction at all. They aren't going to judge you poorly for thinking ahead. Many college sidewalks are pretty well taken care of. I'm not sure whether medical schools are the same way.

 

[JagerDO]

I grew up outside of chicago makes this thread pretty hilarious to me but I figured I'd throw out my advice for you southerners.
First of all, bring your coat inside. Depending on the day, you might not want to go the 1 minute without a coat. They will expect you to have a coat, scarf, gloves in winter and will have somewhere to put it. If you are set on wearing a skirt, def wear nylons, or better yet tights. Bare legs would be unbearable. Staying warm is part of staying healthy and I always think it's best to appear healthy while interviewing at a health school. For shoes, I wear a medium size thin heel with my suit. I don't have problems in the snow, ice, slush with them but I'm comfortable in most heels so it's up to you. The heel kinda acts as a spike through ice though which is nice haha. Be care of flat flats with no treads- impossible for icy grounds.
Keep an ice scraper in your car, an umbrella if you wish, and make sure you don't let your gas tank get close to E. That should prevent some disasters on your way. PM me if you have other questions and good luck!

 

[MossPoh]

The worst is when you don't have gloves or an ice scraper. Have to heat up the car and dig out a piece of cardboard or something. A few times I just put a towel on my window when it was snowing really heavy and then ripped it off the next morning with the snow on top. One of those deals where I was too lazy to get to walmart.

 

[engineeredout]

My dress shoes have 0 traction whatsoever and I managed not to fall in the snow. Hang on to that handrail.

 

[JelloStapler]

As one who will be in Chicago in a few weeks and Des Moines in January, I would like to thank everyone for this advice! Where I'm from, the entire city practically shuts down in the event of 2 inches of snow!

 

[MossPoh]

Snow really isn't that bad. It is ice you have to worry about. I'd trade an inch of ice for 2 feet of snow any day. Snow is inconvenient but there is still some bit of traction with proper tires. Ice is just deadly.

 

[Kateb4]

I interviewed in Chicago in the winter last year and it was COLD that day! I wore suede boots with a low heel, and that was fine with my suit inside and outside. Definately bring your coat with you inside, as well as scarf and gloves if you have them. Not sure about other schools, but the CCOM tour was mostly outside. (they had a coat rack too)

 

[AmyWho]

When they do tours, do they walk you around the entire campus or just in some buildings? And how long is a tour usually?

 

[MossPoh]

Depends on the school and the day...

What is the value of X?

 

[group_theory]

I would invest in a nice warm overcoat made of either wool or cashmere to wear over your regular interview suit. Even if you don't end up in a school located in cold weather, it will be something good to have in case of medical conferences in cold places (ie Boston, Chicago, NYC, Toronto, etc). It will be something good to have come residency interview time if you are planning on applying something in the midwest or northeast.

A nice overcoat for women

A nice overcoat for men

A nice warm scarf to cover your neck will keep your neck warm. A nice pair of leather glove (lined inside with something warm) will keep your hand warm.

To keep your feet warm, a nice pair of wool or cashmere sock are great at keeping your feet warm. Better than heavy cotton/polyester.

For shoes - if the weather is cold but the walkways/sidewalks are ok, regular business-appropriate shoes are ok. For ice or snowy situation, a nice boot can be used.

Female dress boots

Men dress boots

Hope this is helpful.