Interviewing without suit, or not at all?

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3rdarmageddon

3rdarmageddon

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I was flying to an interview recently, when my flight (red eye) was canceled. Luckily, I was traveling carry on, and was able to take trains the rest of the way to make my interview early the next morning, albeit with very little sleep. However, there was another person on the same flight who was interviewing at the same school and whose suit was checked (she could not get it off the plane in time to take the train). This person basically decided to wait for her suit and try to make another red eye on standby (too tight I believe to actually go to baggage claim and make it) on the off chance that she could get to the interview with her suit.

My question is, would interviewers severely penalize someone who showed up for an interview in normal attire because their suit was stuck on a plane? If I were interviewing someone, I would think that showing up for the interview despite the setback would show initiative and that a person's priorities were straight. Thoughts?
 
I would rather make the interview. Actually, I would rather buy a cheap new suit in town, carefully pin the tags, walk on eggshells all day and then return the suit after the interview. You can buy crappy suits in the teen section of Sears for $30-40 😀 I would also be sure to try and get the story in during the interview as a challenge I overcame or how I handled an unexpected situation or whatever.
 
Presumably interviewers are people too; they have been stuck on flights and they are understanding. I don't think it would be bad at all. In fact, it might make a great ice-breaker.
 
Last edited:
3rdarmageddon said:
I was flying to an interview recently, when my flight (red eye) was canceled. Luckily, I was traveling carry on, and was able to take trains the rest of the way to make my interview early the next morning, albeit with very little sleep. However, there was another person on the same flight who was interviewing at the same school and whose suit was checked (she could not get it off the plane in time to take the train). This person basically decided to wait for her suit and try to make another red eye on standby (too tight I believe to actually go to baggage claim and make it) on the off chance that she could get to the interview with her suit.

My question is, would interviewers severely penalize someone who showed up for an interview in normal attire because their suit was stuck on a plane? If I were interviewing someone, I would think that showing up for the interview despite the setback would show initiative and that a person's priorities were straight. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I saw this same exact situation and the interviewee notified the admissions director about her situation. She was not penalized at all, from what I can tell. In fact, the admissions director audibly complimented her on her making the best of a bad situation. So my guess is that she was actually given a few brownie points or not penalized, at the least.

You still can't look like a slob though. I saw a couple of people where I was like "OH, HONEY" at how they dressed. Wet, unkempt hair, horrible/unsuitable clothing, questionable choices in facial hair. If you're in that particular situation where your clothes are lost, I'd make sure your interviewers and the admissions director were informed of writing of the situation.
 
At my residency program this happened to one of the interviewees. He bought a cheap suit, worked the story into the interview and matched there. It actually made him a little more memorable when he was being discussed later. Not that I recommend you do it on purpose...
 
If your clothes get lost, that's a tough one. If you don't have time to hunt for a new suit or really can't afford it, then make absolutely sure to inform the school (and each of your interviewers) about the circumstances.

A suit is really important though. I met a guy at an interview who said he had contacted schools he had been rejected post-interview from. Two told him it was his attire that got him rejected (he wore a sweater over a suit at one interview and didn't even wear a suit to another), and another mentioned his unshaven appearance as another reason. Unbelievably this guy was still not wearing a suit and had a very unkempt appearance when I met him.
 
OCDOCDOCD said:
If your clothes get lost, that's a tough one. If you don't have time to hunt for a new suit or really can't afford it, then make absolutely sure to inform the school (and each of your interviewers) about the circumstances.

A suit is really important though. I met a guy at an interview who said he had contacted schools he had been rejected post-interview from. Two told him it was his attire that got him rejected (he wore a sweater over a suit at one interview and didn't even wear a suit to another), and another mentioned his unshaven appearance as another reason. Unbelievably this guy was still not wearing a suit and had a very unkempt appearance when I met him.
Click to expand...

I don't even
 
OCDOCDOCD said:
If your clothes get lost, that's a tough one. If you don't have time to hunt for a new suit or really can't afford it, then make absolutely sure to inform the school (and each of your interviewers) about the circumstances.

A suit is really important though. I met a guy at an interview who said he had contacted schools he had been rejected post-interview from. Two told him it was his attire that got him rejected (he wore a sweater over a suit at one interview and didn't even wear a suit to another), and another mentioned his unshaven appearance as another reason. Unbelievably this guy was still not wearing a suit and had a very unkempt appearance when I met him.
Click to expand...
refer to your avatar at my reaction to this
 
This happened to me - kind of. I had my suit in my carry on but my shoes in my checked bag. I had most of the suit with me but had to wear brown loafers instead of the black dress shoes in my checked bag. Nobody gave me a hard time at the interview for wearing the loafers with a gray suit, and I made light of it so I think it was fine.

Result: Don't know yet...
 
3rdarmageddon said:
I was flying to an interview recently, when my flight (red eye) was canceled. Luckily, I was traveling carry on, and was able to take trains the rest of the way to make my interview early the next morning, albeit with very little sleep. However, there was another person on the same flight who was interviewing at the same school and whose suit was checked (she could not get it off the plane in time to take the train). This person basically decided to wait for her suit and try to make another red eye on standby (too tight I believe to actually go to baggage claim and make it) on the off chance that she could get to the interview with her suit.

My question is, would interviewers severely penalize someone who showed up for an interview in normal attire because their suit was stuck on a plane? If I were interviewing someone, I would think that showing up for the interview despite the setback would show initiative and that a person's priorities were straight. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Haha wow that sucks. Definitly go to the interview. I probably wouldn't go through the hassle of buying one then returnign it. I would just go there and explain what happened. If anything youll look more impressive for still going while other premed maniacs would faint from fear/stress
 
This has happened to interviewees of ours. So don't sweat it, and good luck!

3rdarmageddon said:
I was flying to an interview recently, when my flight (red eye) was canceled. Luckily, I was traveling carry on, and was able to take trains the rest of the way to make my interview early the next morning, albeit with very little sleep. However, there was another person on the same flight who was interviewing at the same school and whose suit was checked (she could not get it off the plane in time to take the train). This person basically decided to wait for her suit and try to make another red eye on standby (too tight I believe to actually go to baggage claim and make it) on the off chance that she could get to the interview with her suit.

My question is, would interviewers severely penalize someone who showed up for an interview in normal attire because their suit was stuck on a plane? If I were interviewing someone, I would think that showing up for the interview despite the setback would show initiative and that a person's priorities were straight. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
LabratABQ said:
Thats why you don't check your suits in, carry it on.
Click to expand...

I tried that and they still forced me to check my luggage. Maybe check with airlines if they'll let you carry it on if you pay a fee.
 
gumdrops said:
I tried that and they still forced me to check my luggage. Maybe check with airlines if they'll let you carry it on if you pay a fee.
Click to expand...
I did this and it worked flawlessly and perfectly, stuck in it my carry on, i hung mine up as soon as i got to the hotel and turn on the hot water in the bathroom and let it steam in there.
 
I also travel with 2 suits....just in case hahaha. One check in, one carry on.
 
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.
 
LabratABQ said:
Thats why you don't check your suits in, carry it on.
Click to expand...
I always tried to carry-on my suit, but on most of my flights the overhead compartments would be full by the time my zone boarded which meant I was forced to turn my carry-on luggage into checked luggage. If I hadn't needed to turn in plane ticket receipts for reimbursement from programs (MSTP applicant) I would have shelled out the extra $20 for priority boarding. Still, I've been flying regularly since I was 8 or 9 years old, usually check my luggage (interviews were an exception), and I've yet to lose a bag (knock on wood).
 
I lost my suit at an airport the day before my flight. I contemplated showing up in jeans and a t-shirt...but ended getting a cheap suit at Macy's since I would need one the next week anyway. But I talked about it with one of the admissions people and they laughed and thought it would have been totally fine not to have a suit in that circumstance. I'm sure they've seen it all.
 
Well, I'm glad to hear I wasn't alone in my opinion. Granted, I'm glad I went carry on and didn't have to show up in jeans.
 
OCDOCDOCD said:
I always tried to carry-on my suit, but on most of my flights the overhead compartments would be full by the time my zone boarded which meant I was forced to turn my carry-on luggage into checked luggage. If I hadn't needed to turn in plane ticket receipts for reimbursement from programs (MSTP applicant) I would have shelled out the extra $20 for priority boarding. Still, I've been flying regularly since I was 8 or 9 years old, usually check my luggage (interviews were an exception), and I've yet to lose a bag (knock on wood).
Click to expand...


Look back a couple threads...
 
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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...

Please don't do that -- Do you have a good friend about the same size?

If not, maybe you could wear the Dockers and shirt, loafers, no tie -- look slightly embarrassed and try the "Made me check it, then they lost my luggage!" angle.
 
DokterMom said:
Please don't do that -- Do you have a good friend about the same size?

If not, maybe you could wear the Dockers and shirt, loafers, no tie -- look slightly embarrassed and try the "Made me check it, then they lost my luggage!" angle.
Click to expand...

Nope, I'm the biggest of my bunch. I already hold an acceptance somewhere, so that is why I'm okay with forgoing a suit.
 
baconshrimps said:
This is America. Take that french nonsense somewhere else, commie. 😛 just kidding
Click to expand...

LOL do you know what French cuff is? it makes you look sharp....
DokterMom said:
Please don't do that -- Do you have a good friend about the same size?

If not, maybe you could wear the Dockers and shirt, loafers, no tie -- look slightly embarrassed and try the "Made me check it, then they lost my luggage!" angle.
Click to expand...


This^
 
DokterMom said:
Please don't do that -- Do you have a good friend about the same size?

If not, maybe you could wear the Dockers and shirt, loafers, no tie -- look slightly embarrassed and try the "Made me check it, then they lost my luggage!" angle.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this outfit sounds like it belongs to a seven-year-old at his first piano recital, not someone who is about to interview for acceptance to medical school. A suit needs to be borrowed ASAP. Make it multiple acceptances!
 
gumdrops said:
Yeah, this outfit sounds like it belongs to a seven-year-old at his first piano recital, not someone who is about to interview for acceptance to medical school. A suit needs to be borrowed ASAP. Make it multiple acceptances!
Click to expand...

Maybe I'll just go looking like Gordon Gecko...
 
gettheleadout said:
Conservative, professional attire is the name of the game. A tuxedo would be inappropriate as well.
Click to expand...

step_brothers_tuxedo_interview.jpg
 
gettheleadout said:
Agreed. I'd be uncomfortable wearing a FC shirt personally though, too flashy for me.
Click to expand...

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
 
what do y'all gentlemen and ladies wear to med school interviews? There should be a thread about this.
 
I saw plenty of applicants 'overly formal' or 'informal' for interviews during my season - french cuffs, pocket squares, bowties, etc. Those that I kept in touch with had successful cycles.

People over-think the dress 'requirement' of medical school interviews. Certainly, it's best to dress most appropriately, but as long as it's within what your interviewers deem as acceptable (varies greatly from person to person) you're not going to have an issue.
 
PreMedOrDead said:
I saw plenty of applicants 'overly formal' or 'informal' for interviews during my season - french cuffs, pocket squares, bowties, etc. Those that I kept in touch with had successful cycles.

People over-think the dress 'requirement' of medical school interviews. Certainly, it's best to dress most appropriately, but as long as it's within what your interviewers deem as acceptable (varies greatly from person to person) you're not going to have an issue.
Click to expand...
but but but...i like my pocket square....lol
 
PreMedOrDead said:
I saw plenty of applicants 'overly formal' or 'informal' for interviews during my season - french cuffs, pocket squares, bowties, etc. Those that I kept in touch with had successful cycles.

People over-think the dress 'requirement' of medical school interviews. Certainly, it's best to dress most appropriately, but as long as it's within what your interviewers deem as acceptable (varies greatly from person to person) you're not going to have an issue.
Click to expand...

- French cuffs seem waaay too flashy and showy (same as a bright red 'power' tie). I would avoid them as an interviewee. I see a surgeon at my work who wears french cuffs though.
- Bowties make you look kind of goofy. Saw one guy wear one to an interview though.
- Pocket squares are fine.
 
masaraksh said:
- French cuffs seem waaay too flashy and showy (same as a bright red 'power' tie). I would avoid them as an interviewee. I see a surgeon at my work who wears french cuffs though.
- Bowties make you look kind of goofy. Saw one guy wear one to an interview though.
- Pocket squares are fine.
Click to expand...
no haha, dont do any of those....cause you dont want them to pay attention to your cufflinks and not you....not pocket square and how it's folded.
 
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