Interviewing without suit, or not at all?

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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If you put your suit on one of those vacuum compressor things (sorry I'm totally blanking on the official name) you can get it into a carry-on just fine. Back in high school when I was always on the road for debate, I'd actually get it into my backpack, and my suit was never wrinkled.

Another thing you can do, depending on the length of your flight, how much you sweat and how comfortable you need to be, is just to wear your suit and shoes on the plane. Sure you might look like a total tool, but no who cares? That's one surefire way to make sure you don't lose/forget your suit no matter what happens to your flight.
 
plumhill said:
If you put your suit on one of those vacuum compressor things (sorry I'm totally blanking on the official name) you can get it into a carry-on just fine. Back in high school when I was always on the road for debate, I'd actually get it into my backpack, and my suit was never wrinkled.
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I dont know if i would do that to an expensive suit. Cause you dont want them look ugly and the lapels to be all weirdly folded. It takes 24 hours to dry clean. I say best is fold it like in that youtube video and hang it up as soon as you get to the hotel.
 
Without a doubt, I felt like dressing up for the interview was the most nerve wracking and worthlessly laborious part of interviewing. I feel like all the "professional" clothing business gets in the way of the true purpose - communicating yourself. I think what people wear every day says a lot about who they are, and it would be more interesting for people to just wear their every day attire to the interview.

Of course, this is probably because I've lived my life in jeans and a t-shirt so dressing up just feels like a chore.

More relevantly, I have heard great things about the vacuum compressors so that seems like a safe way to go.
 
rellak said:
Without a doubt, I felt like dressing up for the interview was the most nerve wracking and worthlessly laborious part of interviewing. I feel like all the "professional" clothing business gets in the way of the true purpose - communicating yourself. I think what people wear every day says a lot about who they are, and it would be more interesting for people to just wear their every day attire to the interview.

Of course, this is probably because I've lived my life in jeans and a t-shirt so dressing up just feels like a chore.

More relevantly, I have heard great things about the vacuum compressors so that seems like a safe way to go.
Click to expand...

A Chore!?!?

It takes like 5 minutes to put this on.
- white undershirt
- dress shirt
- socks
- suit pants
- tie with simple knot
- dress shoes
- and finally a jacket

I have no idea how this is nerve wracking since CBD (casual business dress) is so well defined.
 
masaraksh said:
A Chore!?!?

It takes like 5 minutes to put this on.
- white undershirt
- dress shirt
- socks
- suit pants
- tie with simple knot
- dress shoes
- and finally a jacket

I have no idea how this is nerve wracking since CBD (casual business dress) is so well defined.
Click to expand...

I'm so jealous of guys. With girls, you have to choose skirts or pants, make sure it fits right and looks feminine without looking sexy, find a pair of heels that don't leave you in visible pain by the time you've finished the campus tour, etc.
 
masaraksh said:
I'm worried that grenadine may come off as too flashy but whatever.
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You knew the exact shade for your tie color. Something tells me that you will not have a problem with wardrobe...😉
 
gumdrops said:
I'm so jealous of guys. With girls, you have to choose skirts or pants, make sure it fits right and looks feminine without looking sexy, find a pair of heels that don't leave you in visible pain by the time you've finished the campus tour, etc.
Click to expand...

Yes, we are fortunate. That sounds like a tough choice.

I think a study needs to be done to see if skirt vs. pant is a significant factor in gaining admission post II while controlling for stats,ECs, and school selectivity.
 
masaraksh said:
Yes, we are fortunate. That sounds like a tough choice.

I think a study needs to be done to see if skirt vs. pant is a significant factor in gaining admission post II while controlling for stats,ECs, and school selectivity.
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Agreed. Not even being facetious. I chose pants because I looked much shorter when I wore a skirt suit.
 
masaraksh said:
Yes, we are fortunate. That sounds like a tough choice.

I think a study needs to be done to see if skirt vs. pant is a significant factor in gaining admission post II while controlling for stats,ECs, and school selectivity.
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This is a legitimate thought of mine, and not quite the scientific study you were hoping for but:
I wore a skirt suit to my first 3 interviews... result: acceptances to all.
I wore a pants to my last most recent 2...still waiting to hear back, but I have decided if the results are different then I am returning to the skirt suit.
 
terp720 said:
This is a legitimate thought of mine, and not quite the scientific study you were hoping for but:
I wore a skirt suit to my first 3 interviews... result: acceptances to all.
I wore a pants to my last most recent 2...still waiting to hear back, but I have decided if the results are different then I am returning to the skirt suit.
Click to expand...

I definitely wanted to wear a skirt suit at first, but chose pants in order to cover up my ankle tattoo. Now, I'm glad I did... between pants and flats I was way more comfortable than the girls in skirts and heels.
 
1012526fs said:
I definitely wanted to wear a skirt suit at first, but chose pants in order to cover up my ankle tattoo. Now, I'm glad I did... between pants and flats I was way more comfortable than the girls in skirts and heels.
Click to expand...
yeah, makes sense. I am really more comfortable in a skirt and heels, but not everyone is. Had to switch to pants and flats though because the arctic weather in the north the other week was not great for a skirt!
 
Packing your suit in checked luggage = ultimate rookie mistake. I have no sympathy for anyone who does that.
 
LabratABQ said:
I like French cuff. lol, i think they look sophisticated and elegant. But might be a bit too flashy for interviews. Like wearing a pocket square hhahha
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You shut your mouth. 😛

Seriously though, pocket squares are good provided it's a solid white square with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch showing. If it's worn all poofy, you deserve the rejection.
 
Carl Seitan said:
You shut your mouth. 😛

Seriously though, pocket squares are good provided it's a solid white square with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch showing. If it's worn all poofy, you deserve the rejection.
Click to expand...
Like mad men? Hahhha nah.
 
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Carl Seitan said:
You shut your mouth. 😛

Seriously though, pocket squares are good provided it's a solid white square with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch showing. If it's worn all poofy, you deserve the rejection.
Click to expand...

I wore a plaid pocket square.
Accepted.
Boom, blasted that theory ;-)
 
masaraksh said:
A Chore!?!?

It takes like 5 minutes to put this on.
- white undershirt
- dress shirt
- socks
- suit pants
- tie with simple knot
- dress shoes
- and finally a jacket

I have no idea how this is nerve wracking since CBD (casual business dress) is so well defined.
Click to expand...

Whoops, forgot to clarify that I'm female. So I had difficulty with deciding how much makeup, what to do with my hair, pant suit versus skirt suit, appropriate heel height, what kind of blouse under the suit, etc.

But even for men, isn't it difficult to sit and eat comfortably in the stiff and fancy fabrics? And get that tie knotted correctly? And choose the right dress shoe color with suit and tie colors coordinated perfectly? I guess some people just feel comfortable with it 🙂 Enough so to display a forbidden, plaid pocket square haha
 
LabratABQ said:
Thats why you don't check your suits in, carry it on.
Click to expand...
I don't even trust carry on- sometimes if the overhead bins are full, they end up forcing you to check your bags. Aside from ones that can sit under the seat in front of you. I don't have any luggage that won't wrinkle the hell out of a suit that will fit in a space that small, so I just wear my suit during the flight to be safe. After all, what's another 3 hours in your sit going to matter in the grand scheme of things?

I did have my fair share of interview attire issues though. BOTH of my shirts shrank at my first interview (I always bring a backup shirt and tie) which left me feeling like a small midget was choking me throughout my interview. My second interview, bought two new shirts, this time blends with less cotton, fit fine in the store but yet again shrank. One wasn't so bad, so I went to iron it and ended up with rust from the iron all over the shirt. Did my best to wash and blow dry the thing- looked fine except the parts that weren't visible under the suit.

Preshrink your shirts prior to the interview for the love of god, and always bring two.
 
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Mad Jack said:
I don't even trust carry on- sometimes if the overhead bins are full, they end up forcing you to check your bags. Aside from ones that can sit under the seat in front of you. I don't have any luggage that won't wrinkle the hell out of a suit that will fit in a space that small, so I just wear my suit during the flight to be safe. After all, what's another 3 hours in your sit going to matter in the grand scheme of things?
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lol i guess you can. I kinda roll it up and tuck into my messenger bag. Im one of those that cant do crap when my suit isnt straight and new-looking.
 
rellak said:
Whoops, forgot to clarify that I'm female. So I had difficulty with deciding how much makeup, what to do with my hair, pant suit versus skirt suit, appropriate heel height, what kind of blouse under the suit, etc.

But even for men, isn't it difficult to sit and eat comfortably in the stiff and fancy fabrics? And get that tie knotted correctly? And choose the right dress shoe color with suit and tie colors coordinated perfectly? I guess some people just feel comfortable with it 🙂 Enough so to display a forbidden, plaid pocket square haha
Click to expand...

I'd say that sitting and eating comfortably is easy. Finding a shirt that fits well, has a good material, and is comfortable is probably the hardest part.

Suit pants/slacks are generally thinner material than jeans so I don't see how it is 'stiff'. Jacket limits range of motion, but i don't wave my hands and do stretches in a professional setting too often.

Getting the tie knotted: I do a four in hand which is really easy and appropriate. As for shoes, its hard to go wrong with black.
 
baconshrimps said:
I'm going to an interview without a suit. I think it will play out just fine (do not currently have a suit that is properly tailored, and have enough cash to get me to and from the interview); going to wear Dockers, light blue shirt and tie, blue blazer, belt and proper shoes. I'll report back on the results.
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Please let us know how it goes. I would love to see you become the leading edge of a trend back to the way things were 25 years ago when all the men wore blue blazers and gray flannel trousers. The suit business really is unnecessary and unnecessary expense. Most physicians do not work in suits and it is not "professional attire" for that profession. Not to say it is bad but I think that the blazer and slacks should make a come-back.
 
LizzyM said:
Please let us know how it goes. I would love to see you become the leading edge of a trend back to the way things were 25 years ago when all the men wore blue blazers and gray flannel trousers. The suit business really is unnecessary and unnecessary expense. Most physicians do not work in suits and it is not "professional attire" for that profession. Not to say it is bad but I think that the blazer and slacks should make a come-back.
Click to expand...

You heard it here folks. @LizzyM endorses @baconshrimps for the blazer and trousers.
@baconshrimps : Gentleman. Scholar. Visionary.
👍
 
Horror story from interviews (not mine). This guy was topping off the gas in his rental car before dropping it off at the agency and inadvertently spilled gas on his dress shoes (the only shoes he brought on the trip). It was late at night and he was flying to his next interview the next morning. While he was going through security, the kind folks at TSA smelled the fumes on his shoes and subsequently confiscated the potentially terror event inducing objects. He had to pick up a pair of thongs from one of the airport vendors and that's all he had to wear to his interview the next day.
 
baconshrimps said:
I'm going to an interview without a suit. I think it will play out just fine (do not currently have a suit that is properly tailored, and have enough cash to get me to and from the interview); going to wear Dockers, light blue shirt and tie, blue blazer, belt and proper shoes. I'll report back on the results.
Click to expand...

how do you not have a properly tailored suit? massive weight loss/gain since the interview season began in september?!
 
For interviews, a couple things:

1. If you fly delta a lot, get the amex card. Always get zone 1 boarding = always room in the overhead bin
2. If you fly southwest, I've never not been able to fit my bag in the overhead if I get my boarding passes exactly 24 hours ahead of time (usually end up in the late As, occasionally early Bs depending on how crowded the route is)
3. I bought a small wheeled folding garment bag. If overhead space is ever tight, it will fit under the seat in a pinch.

Don't risk checking your suit!!
 
LizzyM said:
Wear the blazer and trousers with a bow tie and the world is your oyster.
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Oh my Liz; I saw this a couple times last year. Same guy that spent the whole time talking about his Haaaavaaahd interview.

Your word is gospel but idk about this one
 
The-Times-My-Cousin-Vinnie-008.jpg



Watch My Cousin Vinny
 
RogueUnicorn said:
Nobody is going to hold your cuffs against you unless they are handcuffs
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I'll have to disagree with you there. I've seen med students reprimanded for wearing French cuffs as they are perceived as too flashy. If you must, wear silk knots instead of cuff links.
 
LizzyM said:
Please let us know how it goes. I would love to see you become the leading edge of a trend back to the way things were 25 years ago when all the men wore blue blazers and gray flannel trousers. The suit business really is unnecessary and unnecessary expense. Most physicians do not work in suits and it is not "professional attire" for that profession. Not to say it is bad but I think that the blazer and slacks should make a come-back.
Click to expand...

I wore gray dress pants, blue dress shirt, red tie, blue blazer and dress shoes to my interviews and I've had a successful cycle. Yes, I was usually the only guy not wearing a suit but it's still professional attire IMHO
 
LizzyM said:
Please let us know how it goes. I would love to see you become the leading edge of a trend back to the way things were 25 years ago when all the men wore blue blazers and gray flannel trousers. The suit business really is unnecessary and unnecessary expense. Most physicians do not work in suits and it is not "professional attire" for that profession. Not to say it is bad but I think that the blazer and slacks should make a come-back.
Click to expand...

What do you think about wearing scrubs, bringing your own nitrile gloves, and constantly asking when surgery rotations start?

Winning combo?
 
LabratABQ said:
Show them your private OR, in the garage lol
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Please, I was trying to be SERIOUS.

(And btw, its actually in the basement. The cement walls are easier to sterilize if things get messy.)
 
Spinach Dip said:
Please, I was trying to be SERIOUS.

(And btw, its actually in the basement. The cement walls are easier to sterilize if things get messy.)
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I thought the basement is your pathology lab? With jars of organs and teeth and skulls. Lol
 
Let's keep the discussion on topic, shall we?


rellak said:
Whoops, forgot to clarify that I'm female. So I had difficulty with deciding how much makeup, what to do with my hair, pant suit versus skirt suit, appropriate heel height, what kind of blouse under the suit, etc.
Click to expand...

Agreed that women have a lot more factors to deal with when dressing up, but you don't need to put that much thought into it. Minimal/simple makeup, make sure your hair is out of your face. If you feel comfortable in a skirt, go for a skirt. If you rarely wear skirts, pants are fine. I always wore pants and either had flats or small heels. Picked out a couple nice blouses that went well with my suits and *bam* the uniform is ready to go.
 
Spinach Dip said:
What do you think about wearing scrubs, bringing your own nitrile gloves, and constantly asking when surgery rotations start?

Winning combo?
Click to expand...

In my fantasy land, interviewees would be escorted to a locker room and be asked to change into school provided scrubs for the rest of the day... It would take "fashion sense" and the cash to dress well off the table in the admissions process.
 
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