School Tour/Interview - This to Bring

[Abagnale]

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For anyone who has done the tour of a medical school + lunch + interviews program, what are things that I should bring apart from wearing a suit? I am thinking along the lines of a pad of paper with a pencil.

What has been your experience? What are essential things that people forget, or non-essential things that people bring and just end up not needing?

 

[Finches]

Bring a pen/pencil. No need for paper IMO; they provide more than enough inside the information folders (use the backs).

 

[bucks2010]

I bought a portfolio, took it to all my interviews, and ended up not using it once. Most schools will give you a folder with all of the information you need included in it. I would definitely bring a pen to jot down notes on the handouts, but a whole portfolio is not needed.

 

[Dartmouth1230]

I brought a leather portfolio with a pen and paper. I think it's more professional and really useful if you go on a bunch of interviews and want to jot down things that make each school stand out after interviewing.

 

[MrTambourineMan]

Bring a pen/pencil. No need for paper IMO; they provide more than enough inside the information folders (use the backs).

This is all I brought too. Each school gave a folder that was packed with information and paper to take notes on. Carrying around the folder was annoying enough, I couldn't imagine dragging one of those leather portfolios around.

 

[Cinclus]

A small umbrella came in handy many times for me. I kept it in my padfolio when not in use.

 

[chronicidal]

10 things to know:

http://anastomosed.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/10-things-we-wish-we-had-known-before-applying/

 

[otggwmfs]

.

 

[I like meowmix]

Honestly, I had a padfolio for all my interviews and it was not very useful I got a folder at every place...

 

[2ndCareerMD]

I brought a leather portfolio with a full pad of paper inside. I could safely carry all the documents I needed to bring to the interview (paperwork to turn in and directions, for example). Who wants to add a crumpled or folded piece of paper to their adcom folder?

I take copious notes during the adcom presentations, including the names and other details of those presenting. I am not great with names, so this helps me feel more confident if I have questions later that day or in the weeks to follow. I want to be as engaged as possible. I also take notes during my interviews, especially when I am getting an answer to a question. I filled about 3 pages for each of my interview days.

Check the weather and bring a compact umbrella if necessary.
Small breath mint if there will be an interview after lunch. Doubtful that my breath would be that awful, but I am a more confident speaker with fresh breath (even over the phone).

At the end of the day I review my notes and write down anything else I might have overlooked. This acts as a self input feedback on my interview.

Of course my mom would add that you should always bring a smile. 🙂

 

[armybound]

there's no real need to bring anything other than a pen.

 

[phnerd1105]

In my bag, I always kept:

My padfolio
Mints
A small hairbrush
Touch up make up
Chapstick
A few pens
My CV
Copies of my AMCAS/secondaries just in case
Lotion
Granola bars

and other things that I may need. Of course, I over-prepared most of the time 😳

 

[803]

I brought pen, paper, hard boiled eggs, and gigapet. I ended up not needing the eggs and gigapet

 

[ipoo]

thank you cards

 

[EBTrailRunner]

All you need is a padfolio and a pen.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

thank you cards

I disagree. There's no reason to be writing a thank you note at any time during the interview program. Wait until you get home.

 

[tantacles]

I generally stuck with the typical keys-wallet-cellphone trifecta.

I also brought a book to just about every interview; sometimes, interviewers are late or you have a gap. Nothing looks better than someone who comes prepared to spend his time semi-productively (I was reading mystery novels).

And this might sound odd, but I did not consciously bring a pen to any of my interviews. Part of the fun of the interview trail was getting swag, and if it didn't include pens, it annoyed me. Most schools didn't have anything I needed to take notes on and they handed out powerpoints of everything they were saying.

 

[kexy]

Especially if you are a girl and bringing a purse anyway, I would consider including a small "emergency" kit. I carried around a ziploc bag with stuff like tissues, floss, a few motrin, bandaids/moleskin (for shoe disasters), safety pins and/or a small sewing kit (for wardrobe malfunctions), etc. You may not need any of these things, but it's nice to have them if you do--and if a fellow interviewee does, you will make a new best friend.

 

[ipoo]

I disagree. There's no reason to be writing a thank you note at any time during the interview program. Wait until you get home.

I don't know about you, but I wrote much better thank you notes when the interview was fresh in my mind.

I would only do this if there is time at the end of the interview day ie. don't take time away from all of the other applicants, admissions folk to do write a thank you card

 

[EBTrailRunner]

I don't know about you, but I wrote much better thank you notes when the interview was fresh in my mind.

I would only do this if there is time at the end of the interview day ie. don't take time away from all of the other applicants, admissions folk to do write a thank you card

I see. My concern was getting caught writing a thank you note during the interview program and appearing disingenuous. I suppose you could always jot down what's on your mind in your padfolio.

 

[ipoo]

I see. My concern was getting caught writing a thank you note during the interview program and appearing disingenuous. I suppose you could always jot down what's on your mind in your padfolio.

oh haha, yeah that would probably be a pretty bad call. the padfolio is a good idea however

OP, bring a friendly personality. I was at a couple interviews where they specifically told us they were looking for friendly people who would fit into the culture of the school, only to see other applicants sit in the corner and not talk with the rest of us

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I brought my purse with all the usual stuff in it, plus an umbrella, lint roller, and Tide To-Go pen. If you're going to bring a portfolio, don't bring one of the douchey ones that says your school name. Adcoms know where you went to undergrad.

 

[Bro Dude]

I brought my purse with all the usual stuff in it, plus an umbrella, lint roller, and Tide To-Go pen. If you're going to bring a portfolio, don't bring one of the douchey ones that says your school name. Adcoms know where you went to undergrad.

👍 Nailed it! I could always deduce that the kid sitting on my right went, for instance, to Penn and the one on my left attended Stanford. I went to quite a few interviews this past season. Each session had at least 5-10 people with such padfolios. I have never actually seen anyone use them.

OP, don't bring too much reading material, but more importantly, do not text during your downtime. If there's other people around, don't be obnoxious; rather, engage in some sort of conversation.

 

[music2doc]

Leather portfolio with pen -- not "necessary" but it looks professional, gives a place to make notes, and it allows you a place to put anything you wish to give interviewers (think research papers you've had published, print-outs of posters presented, examples of professional-level artistic endeavors you've completed such as CDs or artwork)

Tide (or similar) detergent pen -- you never know when you might need to clean up a personal mess.... (at minimum, have one of these in your suitcase, but it might come in handy to have in a pocket on interview day just in case; you should also consider bringing a wrinkle remover spray in your suitcase)

A SILENCED cell phone -- really, I just say this as a reminder to turn your cell phone OFF or on SILENCE (NOT vibrate) because I've heard people's cell phones go off at interviews and it's never pretty (although the look on the Director of Admissions' face is always priceless....)

Any "gimmicks" for your portfolio (for interviewers)

 

[music2doc]

I generally stuck with the typical keys-wallet-cellphone trifecta.

I also brought a book to just about every interview; sometimes, interviewers are late or you have a gap. Nothing looks better than someone who comes prepared to spend his time semi-productively (I was reading mystery novels).

And this might sound odd, but I did not consciously bring a pen to any of my interviews. Part of the fun of the interview trail was getting swag, and if it didn't include pens, it annoyed me. Most schools didn't have anything I needed to take notes on and they handed out powerpoints of everything they were saying.

I'd have to disagree on bringing a book. It's far too likely you'll end up isolating yourself if you bring reading material. Engage the other applicants. Nobody wants to admit someone who gives off the "loner" vibe (even if that's totally not who you are and you only actually opened your book when no one else was around). You want the school to see you as a very social, amicable person who is also intelligent, focused, etc. They know you're the later by your MCAT score and GPA (which got you there in the first place). The interview is the place to show that your LORs weren't just spewing a bunch of B.S. when they said you were "friendly and helpful to other students in the class." Consider the top attributes med schools desire:

Integrity
Critical thinking
Professionalism
Motivation for medicine
Reliability
Integrating information
Logical reasoning
Personal maturity
Work habits
Teamwork
Compassion
Self discipline
Oral communication
Intellectual curiosity
Scientific reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Adaptability
Resilience
Persistence
Cultural competence

At minimum, 3 of those are (in part) shown by your amicability during the interview day. While you might not be actively evaluated throughout the day, people are watching and they will notice trends. Setting yourself apart as "the loner" probably won't give a good impression.

 

[tantacles]

I'd have to disagree on bringing a book. It's far too likely you'll end up isolating yourself if you bring reading material. Engage the other applicants. Nobody wants to admit someone who gives off the "loner" vibe (even if that's totally not who you are and you only actually opened your book when no one else was around). You want the school to see you as a very social, amicable person who is also intelligent, focused, etc. They know you're the later by your MCAT score and GPA (which got you there in the first place). The interview is the place to show that your LORs weren't just spewing a bunch of B.S. when they said you were "friendly and helpful to other students in the class." Consider the top attributes med schools desire:

Integrity
Critical thinking
Professionalism
Motivation for medicine
Reliability
Integrating information
Logical reasoning
Personal maturity
Work habits
Teamwork
Compassion
Self discipline
Oral communication
Intellectual curiosity
Scientific reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Adaptability
Resilience
Persistence
Cultural competence

At minimum, 3 of those are (in part) shown by your amicability during the interview day. While you might not be actively evaluated throughout the day, people are watching and they will notice trends. Setting yourself apart as "the loner" probably won't give a good impression.

There were several situations where I WAS the loner. I didn't take time out of my interactions to read; rather, during that 45 minute period where everyone else was interviewing and I wasn't and I had been shipped off to a god forsaken part of the school, I read my book. Reading a book while you're alone is not unamicable; it's admirable. Honestly, do you think it looks better to an adcom member that you:

1. Twiddle your thumbs and do nothing
2. Text
3. Pretend to be reading the admissions materials extremely thoroughly

I don't really think any of these options is as good as reading a book. Reading a book is not unamicable, unteamworky, or displaying a lack of ability to communicate verbally if no one else is there. I'd say this shows adaptability, professionalism, intellectual curiosity, and self-discipline.

 

[GS Mikami]

Bring a big smile OP.

Thats all you need. Trust me 😀

 

[LazyElemental]

FWIW I put my secondaries and common questions from the school in my padfolio and used the down time to review them. It was a nice opportunity to run over the main points I wanted to highlight for my interviewers.

 

[GetThePointe77]

Funny Story - but not completely relevant
My padfolio is black leather. Very nice, very pretty, very professional...unfortunately not thinking I decided to only bring home (I was interviewing at my home school) my BROWN suit. Frantically, the morning of, when I realized I didnt match (and of course at the time this seemed very important) and was in panic mode, my dad grabbed his brown/tan padfolio off of his desk, handing it to me with the back facing upwards. Halfway through my hour drive to the interview, I turn it over to realize its embossed with a huge AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION and the symbol (OY)...my dads a lawyer, but hadnt realized...Decided to just go in with a pen and it was completely fine - they give you nice plastic folders at every interview anyway.

 

[RockMed Doc]

If you are a girl, bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes i.e. flats if you are wearing heels. It always seems that tours are led by men who walk quickly and prefer to take the stairs. I don't know how many times I went up and down and up again on tours.

 

[western1]

Before I began my interview process, my first student host sent me his "Checklist". I copied it below:

Suit​

Jacket , Pants, Belt
Shoes, 2 pair dress socks
2 pair underwear & shirt garters
Crew neck undershirt
Dress shirt & tie
Tide pen located in jacket (all packed in travel bag)
Portable travel steamer
_________________________________________________________________________
​

​

Recreational​

White socks/travel socks
Sleep shirt and shorts
Workout clothes (if necessary)
_________________________________________________________________________
​

​

Interview Related​

Leather portfolio w/ paper, business cards, photos, etc.
Tickets and flight confirmation
Hotel or lodging confirmation
AMCAS Primary and School-specific Secondary Applications
iPhone, BlackBerry, and associated charging devices
_________________________________________________________________________
​

​

Miscellaneous​

GPS w/ Charger
Dopp kit (toothbrush, fresh razor, medicine, shaving cream, deodorant, liquids)
Book (medicine or school)
Address and specific time of interview
Headphones and sleep kit
Credit card and $100+ in cash
Hand towel​

Apart from those things mentioned, I also brought a camera. Once my interview concluded I took pictures of the medical campus, any signs or other noticeable landmarks that may help me remember specifics about the day. It sounds unnecessary, but after you interview at 6 or 7 campuses, they all seem to blend together.
In addition, I printed off my secondary for that particular school (including essays) as well as potential interview questions from that school. I kept both in my portfolio and reviewed approximately 10 minutes before my interview.

 

[Itsame]

I also brought a padfolio. Other than keeping directions and a copy of my secondaries for that school (to look over when I was feeling nervous so I had something to do), I never really used it.

To keep to the bare minimums I would say pen, phone, wallet, keys, paperwork and a tide-pen (all hail the tide pen).

I also brought a water bottle, an extra pair of nylons and some Tums/Tylenol.

I think it depends on how much crap you are willing to drag around on the tours. My arm always got tired haha

 

[phnerd1105]

If you are a girl, bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes i.e. flats if you are wearing heels. It always seems that tours are led by men who walk quickly and prefer to take the stairs. I don't know how many times I went up and down and up again on tours.

This x a billion. Especially if it's your first interview and your heels aren't quite broken into.

 

[robertch8]

If you're someone who is hooked on to their smartphone like I am, don't bring it...leave it in your suitcase or car which is what I would do for all my interviews. The last thing you want is to see an ADCOM looking at you texting or surfing the net during a Q&A session or presentation. I'd also keep it simple--padfolio (without the school name ) and be in a suit.

I would also go against the idea of bringing a book; either you can talk to your fellow interviewees or what I would do if I had to wait for my interview is read the thick folder the school would give me and use that as a final prep to make sure I have the school's selling points in the back of my mind during the interview.

 

[music2doc]

There were several situations where I WAS the loner. I didn't take time out of my interactions to read; rather, during that 45 minute period where everyone else was interviewing and I wasn't and I had been shipped off to a god forsaken part of the school, I read my book. Reading a book while you're alone is not unamicable; it's admirable. Honestly, do you think it looks better to an adcom member that you:

1. Twiddle your thumbs and do nothing
2. Text
3. Pretend to be reading the admissions materials extremely thoroughly

I don't really think any of these options is as good as reading a book. Reading a book is not unamicable, unteamworky, or displaying a lack of ability to communicate verbally if no one else is there. I'd say this shows adaptability, professionalism, intellectual curiosity, and self-discipline.

I'd go with 3 if there truly wasn't anyone around to talk with. My fear in what was proposed would be that some people might hole up and start reading between interviews when other interviewees are around. I have seen people do such things and it sometimes come off poorly. I would also say that reading your own book, while it shows some planning ahead, doesn't really show the same interest in the program as actually reading their literature does. This probably makes NO difference; however, I personally, as a rule, try to stay 100% engaged the entire time of interview day. To me, reading a book would mean disengaging and that is something I don't think I could bring myself to do on an interview day. It takes focus away. It'd be the same thing as going in for a show and then reading a book during someone else's scene or someone else's song. I am either watching the other performers or I am rehearsing/preparing myself. Anything else breaks character as well as focus.

 

[cmwhite11]

This x a billion. Especially if it's your first interview and your heels aren't quite broken into.

Yep, agreed. I folded up a pair of flats into my purse along with an extra pair of pantyhose just in case.

I also brought a copy of my AMCAS & secondary to review and brainstormed a short list of questions to ask my interviewers.

Didn't use my padfolio for much except to carry everything around..

 

[tantacles]

I'd go with 3 if there truly wasn't anyone around to talk with. My fear in what was proposed would be that some people might hole up and start reading between interviews when other interviewees are around. I have seen people do such things and it sometimes come off poorly. I would also say that reading your own book, while it shows some planning ahead, doesn't really show the same interest in the program as actually reading their literature does. This probably makes NO difference; however, I personally, as a rule, try to stay 100% engaged the entire time of interview day. To me, reading a book would mean disengaging and that is something I don't think I could bring myself to do on an interview day. It takes focus away. It'd be the same thing as going in for a show and then reading a book during someone else's scene or someone else's song. I am either watching the other performers or I am rehearsing/preparing myself. Anything else breaks character as well as focus.

I guess I'm just strong-willed enough to dog-ear a page when someone else comes by.

 

[Dr. Ducky]

I brought pen, paper, hard boiled eggs, and gigapet. I ended up not needing the eggs and gigapet

I LOLed.

For interview day, I brought a pen and padfolio. I didn't really have a need for anything else. The evening prior, I would jot down school specific questions or specific interviewer questions (assuming I knew who he/she was beforehand). On interview day, I would also add to this list or scratch off questions as they were answered. Just be on your "A game", enjoy the opportunity and get some swag.

 

[drshoes]

I just brought a pen. I had my interview notes with me too, but I either had them in my jacket pocket or put them in the folder the school gave me. I never felt I needed anything else. Girls have it much harder though with all the stuff they have to carry around.