Padfolio to interview?

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welldamn

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I've interviewed at jobs before and always bring a padfolio with some copies of my resume, a holder for business cards, a notepad and a pen inside. I know medical school interviews are different from job interviews but should i still bring it? A little bit is superstition because the only time I interviewed without it was when I didnt succeed in getting an internship i wanted but I'm not sure if it's even allowed?? Also I know this may be a dumb question but should I even offer to provide them with my resume? I know theyre supposed to be pretty well read on my app already but I feel like even in jobs when the recruiter has a full grasp on your experiences you're supposed to offer them one just to reveal that you thought ahead and brought extras? A lot of my past interviews have been for business positions so I am just unsure....first med school interview tomorrow!
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I've seen quite a few people with them at my interview dates. I never brought one myself, and I don't think it's common practice to provide interviewers with a resume. Especially considering some interviewers have full access to your AMCAS and secondaries during the session, and some might not be allowed to see any of your stats/qualifications during a blind/semi-blind interview.

If you want to bring it as a comfort to yourself, I guess that's fine. At my interview dates they gave us folders with forms about financial aid/information about the school to carry around, so it would just be an extra thing in your hands. The only thing I ever had to bring to a med school interview was my ID and my passport, and I just carried both around in my purse.

Best of luck!
 
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I have definitely seen people bring these to their interview; bring it if it makes you feel comfortable. Personally, they seem useless to me. I wouldn't whip out your application/business cards/ papers unless the interviewer specifically asked.
 
I have one but all I keep in it are a notepad and a pen. Makes all the people on here who bring a clipboard look like plebes.
 
I've seen some people bring a padfolio and it seems excessive. I just bring a small notepad and pen in case I want to take notes during the presentations, and even then I didn't end up writing much for a couple of my schools.
 
I like the padfolio because it can hold folders that the school hands out. Folders are flimsy, so carrying one on its own without something sturdy to back it can be a pain.
 
A simple pad folio...really? Trying to hard? That's seems weird I think to nontrads who've been out working professionally. I don't know. For me, bringing a simple purse and pen w/ pad works for me too, but usually not at professional interviews, especially b/c of bring copies of resumes/CVs, cards, for me copies of licenses, certs, etc.
 
jl lin said:
A simple pad folio...really? Trying to hard? That's seems weird I think to nontrads who've been out working professionally. I don't know. For me, bringing a simple purse and pen w/ pad works for me too, but usually not at professional interviews, especially b/c of bring copies of resumes/CVs, cards, for me copies of licenses, certs, etc.
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I wouldn't worry about most responses in this thread that come from 15'ers. Chances are they've never interviewed for anything more serious than a small volunteering gig.

MS interviews are effectively a job interview. I'd rather show up overprepared than look like an idiot jotting down notes on borrowed scrap paper or an index card. I mean, just look at the "what if I slammed a recorder on the table during my interview" thread.
 
If you want it then bring it. Nobody (who's opinion actually matters) will look down on you for having a padfolio.
 
Hey OP, bring it. I brought mine to all my interviews and so far I'm 4 out 5 for acceptances. Will the padfolio swing your interview up or down? No, but it helps you present yourself as professional and prepared...two things that you should absolutely be trying to convey for your interview and the rest of your career. It was also useful for carrying a few documents to show my interviewers when they asked if I had any updates.
 
I've brought a padfolio with a notepad to all my interviews so far (Pilot G2 pens of course, only the finest). I have used it to write down important dates (i.e. when will we find out the decision?), email addresses of student tour guides or interviewers, and other various information about the school. I would normally put that information onto "notes" in my phone but you should not have your phone out while people are speaking. You don't need to bring resumes or business cards.

Not to mention, the act of simply bringing a padfolio bumps up your LizzyM score by 1.
 
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Lost in Translation said:
I wouldn't worry about most responses in this thread that come from 15'ers. Chances are they've never interviewed for anything more serious than a small volunteering gig.

MS interviews are effectively a job interview. I'd rather show up overprepared than look like an idiot jotting down notes on borrowed scrap paper or an index card. I mean, just look at the "what if I slammed a recorder on the table during my interview" thread.
Click to expand...
Damn that's unnecessarily condescending. You're on a roll recently.
 
Imma bring one b/c I think it would be nice to have something to hold and take notes in as well as a place put all the paper swag they give you during the day.

@gyngyn , you seem to have a negative opinion of the padfolio. Why is this? Certainly, it wouldn't have a negative impact on an applicant?
 
I think his comment was tongue-in-cheek, and concerning the costs of visiting a school (travel/parking/hotel/food fare). And maybe even one of those "cut you a six figure donation check to let me in your school".
 
J Senpai said:
@gyngyn , you seem to have a negative opinion of the padfolio. Why is this? Certainly, it wouldn't have a negative impact on an applicant?
Click to expand...
It's just unnecessary.
I'm a minimalist. I won't harm the candidate for bringing excess stuff, though.
 
gyngyn said:
It's just unnecessary.
Click to expand...

What would you suggest the interviewee bring to take notes on, then? Medium Moleskines don't fit in pockets, and the small ones would make for a silly scene: slipping it in and out of a jacket like a concealed flask.
 
Lost in Translation said:
What would you suggest the interviewee bring to take notes on, then? Medium Moleskines don't fit in pockets, and the small ones would make for a silly scene: slipping it in and out of a jacket like a concealed flask.
Click to expand...
Notes?
The school always hands out something (usually in a folio that you will throw away later!).
 
Lost in Translation said:
What would you suggest the interviewee bring to take notes on, then? Medium Moleskines don't fit in pockets, and the small ones would make for a silly scene: slipping it in and out of a jacket like a concealed flask.
Click to expand...
To be fair, padfolios don't fit in pockets either...
😛
I'm not sure what notes people are taking at most of these - I've only felt the need to do so once, and in that case I just annotated the curriculum handout with additional details using the pen they gave us with our information packet.
 
Lost in Translation said:
What would you suggest the interviewee bring to take notes on, then? Medium Moleskines don't fit in pockets, and the small ones would make for a silly scene: slipping it in and out of a jacket like a concealed flask.
Click to expand...
I took notes on the paper they provided me on interview day.
And when I say "notes," I mean I jotted down probably one sentence before realizing that the school provided me with everything I need to know in their folders.
 
I took my padfolio to interviews and ended up taking a lot of notes. One school had just changed their curriculum and the info session told a lot of things that I couldn't find on the website. What they gave out didn't cover all the information either. I originally had it carry my folder, ut I was very glad I had it. Knowing me, I was not about to put a pen in my pocket, since it would be my luck that a pen would break on my suit.
 
jl lin said:
A simple pad folio...really? Trying to hard? That's seems weird I think to nontrads who've been out working professionally. I don't know. For me, bringing a simple purse and pen w/ pad works for me too, but usually not at professional interviews, especially b/c of bring copies of resumes/CVs, cards, for me copies of licenses, certs, etc.
Click to expand...

I mean, the issue for a med school interview is that your interviewer is already given everything they need or want to know about you on paper before you show up. There's really nothing in that padfolio that you could give to them that they'd need or don't already have.

everyone who had one at med school or residency interviews showed up with a school-branded one for whatever reason. It was like they were trying extra hard to let everyone know they went to UCLA or Penn or whervever.
 
I need to take as many notes during the financial aid sessions as I can. Writing in the margins ain't gunna cut it for my situation.
 
Lost in Translation said:
I need to take as many notes during the financial aid sessions as I can. Writing in the margins ain't gunna cut it for my situation.
Click to expand...
Ugh, I would, but they all say the same thing and none of them even remotely answer my real questions. I'm just going to have to wait until I'm accepted and can bug the individual offices...
 
I brought a padfolio and I got in so...whatever.

And notes help if you're accepted and want to reference things you learned during the interview day.
 
WingedOx said:
I mean, the issue for a med school interview is that your interviewer is already given everything they need or want to know about you on paper before you show up. There's really nothing in that padfolio that you could give to them that they'd need or don't already have.

everyone who had one at med school or residency interviews showed up with a school-branded one for whatever reason. It was like they were trying extra hard to let everyone know they went to UCLA or Penn or whervever.
Click to expand...


Yes, TY and TY to gyngyn, b/c I was becoming very curious about all these "notes." Starting to wonder if it would be better to bring the LT, as I can type much faster than I can write. JK LOL
 
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Monster_Cat said:

What a bunch of ridiculous try hards trying to flex. If I was their interviewer I'd mark them down for flexing so hard over nothing. It's really immature
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🤣
Just remember: Being overly fastidious about needless things doesn't necessarily = gunner. 😉😀
 
Okay listen

You don't need a padfolio for a medical school interview. Wanna know why?

1) The primary purpose of a padfolio is to take notes or to hold copies of your CV. You don't need to do either of these things.

2) Your interviewer will either know nothing about you (MMI/closed file interview) and will want it to stay that way or will have access to your file and will know it as well as you do. Thus, you don't need your CV.

3) There will be nothing to take notes on. You want to absorb the feel and atmosphere of the school by listening an observing. There's nothing to take notes on. You need to give yourself time to form an impression. The proper time to make notes about the interview day is once you get back to your hotel after it's done, and then revise them after a night's sleep once the "WOW" factor wears off. You should not be taking notes during the interview day. Everything you absolutely need to know will be given to you with your interview folder/packet, including financial aid information. All you'll accomplish is looking like a tool.

4) If financial aid information is really important and the printed information they give you for whatever reason won't suffice, write on the back of the sheet that they give you. They rarely print double sided.

5) That being said, none of this information matters until you're accepted. If you are accepted and you need information about x,y,z call their admissions office at that point and start asking questions. They will be very happy to answer questions or refer you to people (such as the FA office) who can. Until you get in though, there's no need to compile information about every single detail only to have none of it matter when you get rejected.

6) Just an anecdote, but for one of my MMI interviews, on the 3rd or 4th station, I went into the room and the interviewer told me "oh thank god you're the first person to come in here without a damn notebook and a bunch of scribbles on it" which leads me to believe that it was looked down upon (and also you should be spending your time thinking during your 2 minute pre-MMI station planning time and if you can't remember something that you have literally only 2 minutes to think about then I can't help you)

7) Taking notes during an interview doesn't make you look interested. Just foolish. They already know you're interested because you're sitting there in front of them.

tl;dr I agree with @gyngyn

Just bring a pen with you.
 
I've brought a padfolio to traditional interviews, but left it at home for MMIs.

For the traditional interviews, I just use it to write down any important names/emails, questions about the school, and a cheat sheet for answers I've prepared to common interview questions to review if there's some down time before the interview. However, most all schools have given me folders and pens, so really it's been completely unnecessary.
 
I brought one to all of my traditional interviews - but not to the interviews themselves. It was convenient for jotting down notes during presentations, and all of my schools offered us somewhere to leave stuff when we went on tours and our actual interviews. I put business cards I got in there, interview day materials in there and the like.

I found it convenient.
 
Wow. People are still talking about this. Gosh, we're all a neurotic bunch! Bottom line: Take it if you think it's useful; don't if you don't. It will not affect your interview in any way
unless you use it to bludgeon your interviewer.
 
sovereign0 said:
I brought one to all of my traditional interviews - but not to the interviews themselves. It was convenient for jotting down notes during presentations, and all of my schools offered us somewhere to leave stuff when we went on tours and our actual interviews. I put business cards I got in there, interview day materials in there and the like.

I found it convenient.
Click to expand...

No man you don't get it. It makes you look like a try hard. It's better to carry that flimsy embossed folder they handed out to us like a middle schooler, trying your very hardest not to spill its contents over the floor as you tour the anatomy lab. But make sure the med student giving you the walk can see how you're deftly holding the folder at a 181 degree angle to avoid this; it'll show him that you have the dexterity of a ninja which will prove invaluable in the entering class. And when you want to make a note about the school's facilities, make it a point to stop by a locker, hold up one of the random handouts in said folder from the school, and use that wall as a perfect backing on which to hold that piece of paper and write your note that, no, you will not be going to that school because the SIM center only has 8 simulation rooms and you won't settle for a space that can fit less than 10 because you don't want the entire floor to hear and subsequently copy your perfect PMH interview.

P.S. Don't forget to stuff every business card you get in your back pocket to assert your dominance.
 
WedgeDawg said:
Okay listen

You don't need a padfolio for a medical school interview. Wanna know why?

1) The primary purpose of a padfolio is to take notes ...

3) There will be nothing to take notes on. You want to absorb the feel and atmosphere of the school by listening an observing. There's nothing to take notes on. You need to give yourself time to form an impression. The proper time to make notes about the interview day is once you get back to your hotel after it's done, and then revise them after a night's sleep once the "WOW" factor wears off. You should not be taking notes during the interview day. Everything you absolutely need to know will be given to you with your interview folder/packet, including financial aid information. All you'll accomplish is looking like a tool.
Click to expand...

I asked my interviewer a specific question about one of the features of the school's curriculum and they were not able to answer it, but they did mention the name of a person that was in charge of that part of the curriculum and suggested I email them with the question. I had to write down that person's email somewhere, and I'm sure as hell not going to write it on one of the loose handouts the school put in their info packet. I'd sooner look like a tool than an unprepared fool.
 
WedgeDawg said:
Okay listen

You don't need a padfolio for a medical school interview. Wanna know why?

1) The primary purpose of a padfolio is to take notes or to hold copies of your CV. You don't need to do either of these things.

2) Your interviewer will either know nothing about you (MMI/closed file interview) and will want it to stay that way or will have access to your file and will know it as well as you do. Thus, you don't need your CV.

3) There will be nothing to take notes on. You want to absorb the feel and atmosphere of the school by listening an observing. There's nothing to take notes on. You need to give yourself time to form an impression. The proper time to make notes about the interview day is once you get back to your hotel after it's done, and then revise them after a night's sleep once the "WOW" factor wears off. You should not be taking notes during the interview day. Everything you absolutely need to know will be given to you with your interview folder/packet, including financial aid information. All you'll accomplish is looking like a tool.

4) If financial aid information is really important and the printed information they give you for whatever reason won't suffice, write on the back of the sheet that they give you. They rarely print double sided.

5) That being said, none of this information matters until you're accepted. If you are accepted and you need information about x,y,z call their admissions office at that point and start asking questions. They will be very happy to answer questions or refer you to people (such as the FA office) who can. Until you get in though, there's no need to compile information about every single detail only to have none of it matter when you get rejected.

6) Just an anecdote, but for one of my MMI interviews, on the 3rd or 4th station, I went into the room and the interviewer told me "oh thank god you're the first person to come in here without a damn notebook and a bunch of scribbles on it" which leads me to believe that it was looked down upon (and also you should be spending your time thinking during your 2 minute pre-MMI station planning time and if you can't remember something that you have literally only 2 minutes to think about then I can't help you)

7) Taking notes during an interview doesn't make you look interested. Just foolish. They already know you're interested because you're sitting there in front of them.

tl;dr I agree with @gyngyn

Just bring a pen with you.
Click to expand...


Nice. Less is more then. 🙂
 
Been on seven interviews so far, and can confirm, did not need to bring anything. I'd bring a pen though, if anything, since you may have to sign a form or something. Even then, they will provide you with a pen. Schools will provide you with folders and information sheets, on which you can take notes, if you are so inclined.
 
SweetFast said:
Ok, this thread is getting a little ridiculous.

Things that will have a bigger impact on your interview day than whether or not you bring a padfolio:
  • The color of your underwear
  • What you had for dinner the night before
  • Whether you call it "pop" or "soda"
  • Your avatar on SDN
  • If you part your hair on the right or left
  • Which direction you thread your belt
Click to expand...

So, what's the point system for those things. 😉
 
padfolios are useless--just take notes (if you need to) on the paper they give you
 
holy hell i did not expect such a torrent of responses, i havent been back on SDN for some time but i did end up bringing one with me to the interview I mentioned in the original post and no one really cared. One of my interviewers complimented it and another just thought it was the folder that was given out and did not care. It helped me carry some materials, and i did mark down some contact information and quick notes. Ultimately I felt more comfortable and confident with it but I dont think it hurt or helped me, its mainly psychological.
 
welldamn said:
holy hell i did not expect such a torrent of responses, i havent been back on SDN for some time but i did end up bringing one with me to the interview I mentioned in the original post and no one really cared. One of my interviewers complimented it and another just thought it was the folder that was given out and did not care. It helped me carry some materials, and i did mark down some contact information and quick notes. Ultimately I felt more comfortable and confident with it but I dont think it hurt or helped me, its mainly psychological.
Click to expand...
Definitely. To each his own. Good luck!
 
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