quick question about attire

[DrShambach]

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I'm sure it's probably on here somewhere, but I am too sleepy to look. Are skirt suits essential for interviews? I would be more comfortable in a pant suit given the weather and the fact that I'm not big on skirts. But if it would be frowned upon then I have no problem with conforming. Please give me some sound advice.

 

[HumbleMD]

I'm sure it's probably on here somewhere, but I am too sleepy to look. Are skirt suits essential for interviews? I would be more comfortable in a pant suit given the weather and the fact that I'm not big on skirts. But if it would be frowned upon then I have no problem with conforming. Please give me some sound advice.

I'd say the MAJORITY of girls wear pant rather than skirt suits. You'll be fine. And don't worry about "conforming" too much. You can be a little bit fun and out there. I wear really loud argyle socks to all my interviews. The dean noticed at UPitt and complimented, and I was just informed of my acceptance there yesterday (doubt it helped, but it certainly didn't hinder).

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I'm sure it's probably on here somewhere, but I am too sleepy to look. Are skirt suits essential for interviews? I would be more comfortable in a pant suit given the weather and the fact that I'm not big on skirts. But if it would be frowned upon then I have no problem with conforming. Please give me some sound advice.

2 points:
1) 80% of the female interviewers I've seen wore pants suits. The ones that wore skirts seemed more fidgety (IMO).
2) When I bought my suit I was given this advice: Don't fret too much about what you are wearing, all interviewers will do is give you one look-over to be sure you are dressed appropriately.

 

[ICCONFETTI]

pant suits are definitely okay. majority of girls wear this, and plus, in the northeast, you don't want to be freezing your legs off.

i personally, never even thought of the possibility of skirt suit.

 

[Haemulon]

I saw one female interviewee that just wore some slacks and a sweater-ish top. No body seemed to mind. But I think i'd still recommend a suit of some kind.

 

[RuthP]

I wore a skirt suit, and honestly felt more presentable in this than a pant suit. (I wear pants every day and the concept of wearing a skirt just makes me feel more presentable and possibly a touch more confident as well) but I think this most important thing is to wear what you look professional AND feel confident in. If this is a pants suit - wear that. If you'll feel more professional in a skirt suit - wear that. Aim for dark colors and personally, I tried to blend in with my suit as much as possible. You'll 'stand out' with your personality and stats - not what you're wearing. 🙂

Just my two pennies...

 

[Eric Lindros]

skirt suits all the way. All the girls I saw wearing skirt suits seemed way more attractive than the ones in pant suits. And yes, attractiveness plays a minor role in this whole interview process, whether you want to admit it or not.

 

[turkish]

skirt suits all the way. All the girls I saw wearing skirt suits seemed way more attractive than the ones in pant suits. And yes, attractiveness plays a minor role in this whole interview process, whether you want to admit it or not.

Nice. You'll make lots of lady friends in med school. They're all just there to find rich husbands, right?

 

[DrShambach]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll go with the pant suit because I would be more comfortable and confident, and it appears that they are perfectly normal. I hear what you are saying about being attractive, but that is a card that I do not need nor want to play. But thanks for the input. Hopefully, I'll be able to start the "I got accepted in pants" thread soon.

 

[Eric Lindros]

Nice. You'll make lots of lady friends in med school. They're all just there to find rich husbands, right?

Ha. Of course someone has to twist my statement into something like this.

Attractiveness plays a minor role in any interview, for both men and women. That's my point in case you missed it 😉

 

[inside_edition]

I wore a skirt suit, and honestly felt more presentable in this than a pant suit. (I wear pants every day and the concept of wearing a skirt just makes me feel more presentable and possibly a touch more confident as well) but I think this most important thing is to wear what you look professional AND feel confident in. If this is a pants suit - wear that. If you'll feel more professional in a skirt suit - wear that. Aim for dark colors and personally, I tried to blend in with my suit as much as possible. You'll 'stand out' with your personality and stats - not what you're wearing. 🙂

Just my two pennies...

for a second i thought you said "Just my two penises..."

i gotta get back to studying for finals.

 

[turkish]

Ha. Of course someone has to twist my statement into something like this.

Attractiveness plays a minor role in any interview, for both men and women. That's my point in case you missed it 😉

Didn't have to twist very hard...and your "point" was neither subtle nor valid.

 

[RuthP]

for a second i thought you said "Just my two penises..."

i gotta get back to studying for finals.

A skirt suit and two penises... yes, I would have been quite a sight.

I concur, you need to get back to studying! 🙂

 

[Eric Lindros]

Didn't have to twist very hard...and your "point" was neither subtle nor valid.

That's just straight up nieve. But hey, believe what you want.

 

[DrZeke]

I'm sure it's probably on here somewhere, but I am too sleepy to look. Are skirt suits essential for interviews? I would be more comfortable in a pant suit given the weather and the fact that I'm not big on skirts. But if it would be frowned upon then I have no problem with conforming. Please give me some sound advice.

Definitely get a suit and make sure it matches. I saw one girl wear pants and a button down shirt and even though nobody said anything she stood out like a sore thumb.

Also, at another interview, a girl wore pants and a blazer with pearls. She looked professional, but I think the suit is best.

Money is NO excuse. There are outlet malls all over the US, and plenty of them sell suits for cheap. I paid $100 for a suit made by Anne Klein, and remember suits rarely go out of style, unless you want a pattern or trim that is the latest style! You are going to go into debt in med school, and AMCAS and secondaries and flights already cost a lot. Invest my dear, and good luck to you!

 

[turkish]

Ever been to medical school? I have. You are hardly surrounded by models. Hard work and depth of character go much further.

And my original reply was meant to suggest your lack of couth, which I think you've made obvious now.

 

[EmbellisMaVie]

For what it's worth, I got a four-piece suit (jacket, pants, skirt, and top) that's machine-washable. Probably the smartest thing I've done all semester.

As for the skirt/pants question... some pre-med advisors will tell you that girls should really be wearing skirts, because a lot of older docs tend to be very conservative/whatever for some reason, but I really haven't seen this at all. Just wear whatever is both presentable and comfortable (and if it's cold, believe me, it'll be a pantsuit), and no one will think twice.

I went to UMich in late November, and I don't know what I was thinking, but I wore a skirt instead of pants. The temperature was probably around freezing. When I got there, I think I was one of maybe three or four girls out of the 20+ girls who wore a skirt instead of pants, but I don't feel like I stuck out or anything (other than being partially frozen at the beginning of the interview day).

 

[Eric Lindros]

Ever been to medical school? I have. You are hardly surrounded by models. Hard work and depth of character go much further.

And my original reply was meant to suggest your lack of couth, which I think you've made obvious now.

Dude, I didn't really think this was hard to understand but apparently it is. Yes, I know hard work and depth of character go much farther that looks Duh, but when did I ever make that assumption (Hint 1: I didn't, you decided to make that assumption for me based on what I posted)

My point is this (for the third time): You have two students A and B. They are both ideal medical students, both have amazing character, same grades, same everything. One is a supermodel and the other is downright ugly. Who do you think will be accepted the majorty of the time (Hint 2: not the ugly one) There have been plenty of studies that correlate looks to success, so many that I assumed it was a known fact but apparently I was wrong. Yes, in medical school brains and character will always prevail, but I am talking about ALL THINGS EQAUL

This has nothing to do with whether or not schools have supermodels. On the whole, medical schools will have both attractive people and unattractive people because yes, I understand this isn't Hollywood. Sorry if this isn't sophisticated enough for you, but I'm trying to keep it real 😉

 

[sotired]

Dude, I didn't really think this was hard to understand but apparently it is. Yes, I know hard work and depth of character go much farther that looks Duh, but when did I ever make that assumption (Hint 1: I didn't, you decided to make that assumption for me based on what I posted)

My point is this (for the third time): You have two students A and B. They are both ideal medical students, both have amazing character, same grades, same everything. One is a supermodel and the other is downright ugly. Who do you think will be accepted the majorty of the time (Hint 2: not the ugly one) There have been plenty of studies that correlate looks to success, so many that I assumed it was a known fact but apparently I was wrong. Yes, in medical school brains and character will always prevail, but I am talking about ALL THINGS EQAUL

This has nothing to do with whether or not schools have supermodels. On the whole, medical schools will have both attractive people and unattractive people because yes, I understand this isn't Hollywood. Sorry if this isn't sophisticated enough for you, but I'm trying to keep it real 😉

hahah...i've read this whole exchange and as a girl, i do agree with you. no matter what anyone says or how hard people would like to deny, attractiveness will always play some kind of role. not just in medical school interviews but basically in any setting, professional or not. it's just being realistic, nobody is saying that an idiot girl who just happens to be hot will get in based on the sole fact that she's hot, but like he said - all things being equal....attractiveness could tip the scales

 

[photo_girl07]

I agree...wear what is comfortable....I choose pant suit for the exact reason (b/c the EAST is freezing, coming from CA). I decided to be less boring and wear a pink or red shirt....

I just can't do skirts...especially the professionals ones...which really don't suit me. 😀

Just my $0.02

Whatver you wear, just be confident in yourself....that is soo important 🙂

 

[Eric Lindros]

hahah...i've read this whole exchange and as a girl, i do agree with you. no matter what anyone says or how hard people would like to deny, attractiveness will always play some kind of role. not just in medical school interviews but basically in any setting, professional or not. it's just being realistic, nobody is saying that an idiot girl who just happens to be hot will get in based on the sole fact that she's hot, but like he said - all things being equal....attractiveness could tip the scales

EXACTLY what I'm trying to say here.

No need to get all defensive people, I'm just trying to keep it real.

On that note, if wearing a skirt would affect your performance interviewing due to being uncomfortable then by all means, wear pants!