Shirt color for med interview?

[Diocletian]

Ok this sounds like a stupid question but I have an interview in two weeks and I'm really nervous. My only interview for the whole cycle.

I want to do a dark red shirt with a black suit and black pants. Not sure what color tie, maybe dark blue. Would this look weird? I've heard that red is an authoritative color.

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[CrimsonKing]

Wear a nice shirt with a matching tie. You don't want anything too bright, but almost any color will do.

 

[deleted357625]

Ok this sounds like a stupid question but I have an interview in two weeks and I'm really nervous. My only interview for the whole cycle.

I want to do a dark red shirt with a black suit and black pants. Not sure what color tie, maybe dark blue. Would this look weird? I've heard that red is an authoritative color.

red? ehh

 

[carnelian]

maybe you can coordinate it with the school's color 🙂

 

[Irish Football]

white shirt = acceptance.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Dark shirt colors are a no-no. You're not going to the club. And a blue on red sounds absolutely heinous. Red is considered to be a power color, but is that what you want - to come into your only interview with a belligerent color? Probably not going to leave them with a good subtle impression.

White/Light blue is a safe bet. Also you might want to reconsider a black suit. Read more here: Interview Clothing Thread #3

But since your interview is coming up, I would try and find a different shirt/tie combo.

 

[WhizoMD]

there's a thread for this:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=842733&page=30

But, in case you don't feel like reading it, please don't wear a red shirt to your interview. Light/pastel colors are what you should go for.

 

[Ismet]

Ok this sounds like a stupid question but I have an interview in two weeks and I'm really nervous. My only interview for the whole cycle.

I want to do a dark red shirt with a black suit and black pants. Not sure what color tie, maybe dark blue. Would this look weird? I've heard that red is an authoritative color.

That might be too many colors, but personally, I never take notice as to what the person is wearing when I interview. They're wearing a suit and don't look sloppy? Great. Professional. Move on to the more important things. I know there are sticklers for correct style (people freak out about 2 or 3 buttons or black vs navy suits for some reason), and maybe you'll get an old school interviewer who cares about specifics, but what you wear is the least important factor in an interview.

Maybe a black tie with the red shirt or a white shirt with the blue tie, I'm thinking 3 colors might be too much. Put it on and ask someone you trust what they think.

Also this is coming from a female, but I don't think it matters. I don't remember what any of my interviewees were wearing, male or female, as long as they had a suit of some kind.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

My most successful interviews were when I went in my birthday suit. Females were less receptive, but I did get into all the schools with male interviewers...

Though I am female as well, I would suggest being less bold in your color choices. I think the black suits on guys tend to look best with either a white shirt or a light blue shirt with a formal tie of your choosing. I think most people choose their "power color" for this.

 

[MedPR]

My most successful interviews were when I went in my birthday suit. Females were less receptive, but I did get into all the schools with male interviewers...

Though I am female as well, I would suggest being less bold in your color choices.

You're a female? 😱

 

[PreMedOrDead]

You're a female? 😱

Sweetie, you weren't aware of that?

I'm the only one of the PMODs that's female, but I'm surprised that surprised you.

 

[Josh7]

What color are you eyes...?

 

[MedPR]

Sweetie, you weren't aware of that?

I'm the only one of the PMODs that's female, but I'm surprised that surprised you.

I have no idea what that means!

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I have no idea what that means!

Where have you been? Banned? 😉

There may be more than one user. Possibly. Maybe.

 

[idontcaureuknow]

Where have you been? Banned? 😉

There may be more than one user. Possibly. Maybe.

Maybe, but your so much more fun to imagine as a schizophrenic user than multiple users.

Also, OP, red and blue, no. Just wear something that looks good/professional and avoid judgmental colors. Example: pink is polarizing. I'm a guy and I love my pink dress shirt, but never wear it to an interview.

 

[CsHead]

I have no idea what that means!

How do you not know this!?

 

[LizzyM]

White shirt with that blue tie, or any solid or striped tie. Take a look at what the president wears to the swearing in ceremony... or what you see the news anchors wear on TV... that's the look you are going for, not the Country Music Awards.

 

[Renaissance Man]

White shirt with that blue tie, or any solid or striped tie. Take a look at what the president wears to the swearing in ceremony... or what you see the news anchors wear on TV... that's the look you are going for, not the Country Music Awards.

Can't go wrong with a white shirt. Best advice I've heard is that if your interviewer or patient remembers what you were wearing, than you are probably doing something wrong.

 

[FSU2013]

You want to leave an interview and have ther interviewer remember you but have no idea what you wore.

 

[yehhhboiii]

I've seen tons of interviewees. Once I saw a guy wearing a black shirt with a red tie. Everyone else was wearing a white shirt. He stuck out like a sore thumb.

 

[darkjedi]

If you wear something out of the ordinary and stick out, 99% of the time it will hurt you. When it comes to interview attire, be as normal and mainstream as possible. You are not going to a fashion show or impressing clients, you are interviewing. If you are thinking about wearing anythng beyond white/oxford shirt, normal tie, black/navy suit, brown/black shoes, you are spending too much time and effort.

Best advice I've heard is that if your interviewer or patient remembers what you were wearing, than you are probably doing something wrong.

100% agreed

 

[LizzyM]

If you wear something out of the ordinary and stick out, 99% of the time it will hurt you. When it comes to interview attire, be as normal and mainstream as possible. You are not going to a fashion show or impressing clients, you are interviewing. If you are thinking about wearing anythng beyond white/oxford shirt, normal tie, black/navy suit, brown/black shoes, you are spending too much time and effort.



100% agreed

The only "out of the ordinary" attire that usually works in one's favor is a US military uniform or US service academy uniform.

Otherwise, I agree.

 

[Josh7]

The only "out of the ordinary" attire that usually works in one's favor is a US military uniform or US service academy uniform.

Otherwise, I agree.

You've actually had people come to their interview in full military attire? Interesting... (they want those 5 points )

 

[gyngyn]

You don't want to be "the guy in the red shirt."

 

[VisionaryTics]

You don't want to be "the guy in the red shirt."

This continues during medical school. Morning rounds looks like a junior high prom sometimes.

 

[Ismet]

You've actually had people come to their interview in full military attire?

Yes, in their formal uniform.

 

[darkjedi]

The only "out of the ordinary" attire that usually works in one's favor is a US military uniform or US service academy uniform.

Otherwise, I agree.

I have yet to see someone interview in service uniform, but I can't say I wouldn't be impressed if I did.

 

[FSU2013]

Yes, in their formal uniform.

I've seen one army officer in dress uniform for a residency interview.

 

[NewYorker9]

You've actually had people come to their interview in full military attire? Interesting... (they want those 5 points )

I distinctly recall it at one of my interviews and it may have happened at another, thought my memory is fuzzy.

 

[mcloaf]

Ok this sounds like a stupid question but I have an interview in two weeks and I'm really nervous. My only interview for the whole cycle.

I want to do a dark red shirt with a black suit and black pants. Not sure what color tie, maybe dark blue. Would this look weird? I've heard that red is an authoritative color.

A solid, dark colored shirt is an awesome way to be mistaken for a waiter.

 

[pre med 2014]

What's wrong with a modest color for a shirt like maroon?

 

[ComradeDoktor]

Ok this sounds like a stupid question but I have an interview in two weeks and I'm really nervous. My only interview for the whole cycle.

I want to do a dark red shirt with a black suit and black pants. Not sure what color tie, maybe dark blue. Would this look weird? I've heard that red is an authoritative color.

There's your reason not to wear red right there. You're interviewing to be a med student. You're not a corporate CEO. You should dress in a way that's humble, not full of bravado. Get a white or light-blue shirt and a tie with a simple neutral pattern.

 

[dgsilvervid]

I stuck to blue and white shirts with fairly simple ties that had blue/grey/dark grey/straw. Grey suit.

 

[gyngyn]

What's wrong with a modest color for a shirt like maroon?

It's not that there is anything intrinsically "wrong" with any color. By your appearance you are showing the school/interviewers that you know what is expected in a particular situation. Naivete can be overlooked, but why take the chance?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

It's not that there is anything intrinsically "wrong" with any color. By your appearance you are showing the school/interviewers that you know what is expected in a particular situation. Naivete can be overlooked, but why take the chance?

On the other hand, I have several times heard AdComs say that their interview groups look, "Like funerals" because of all of the dark suits, extreme formality, and otherwise lack of color. It was brought up at at least a couple of my interviews to the entire group. Of course, this is anecdotal.

 

[mcloaf]

On the other hand, I have several times heard AdComs say that their interview groups look, "Like funerals" because of all of the dark suits, extreme formality, and otherwise lack of color. It was brought up at at least a couple of my interviews to the entire group. Of course, this is anecdotal.

I always tried to make my interviews look like Mardi Gras 😎

 

[Yorick]

Wear pink

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I always tried to make my interviews look like Mardi Gras 😎

Accepted.

 

[def1]

On the other hand, I have several times heard AdComs say that their interview groups look, "Like funerals" because of all of the dark suits, extreme formality, and otherwise lack of color. It was brought up at at least a couple of my interviews to the entire group. Of course, this is anecdotal.

You could easily not look like your attending a funeral by wearing a navy suit, even a charcoal suit, and if its early in the fall a light gray suit.

One time I showed up to an interview wearing a white shirt and a light purple tie. I thought this was a little on the bolder side of conservative but didn't think much of it. My interviewer kept commenting on it saying it was a really bold tie.

Still not sure if this was a good or bad thing lol.

 

[gyngyn]

On the other hand, I have several times heard AdComs say that their interview groups look, "Like funerals" because of all of the dark suits, extreme formality, and otherwise lack of color. It was brought up at at least a couple of my interviews to the entire group. Of course, this is anecdotal.

People like saying this! It doesn't mean that being aberrant will help, though.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

You could easily not look like your attending a funeral by wearing a navy suit, even a charcoal suit, and if its early in the fall a light gray suit.

One time I showed up to an interview wearing a white shirt and a light purple tie. I thought this was a little on the bolder side of conservative but didn't think much of it. My interviewer kept commenting on it saying it was a really bold tie.

Still not sure if this was a good or bad thing lol.

The one time I wore a purple tie there were four others in the room wearing purple...

People like saying this! It doesn't mean that being aberrant will help, though.

True, but I think some of the older folks on AdComs enjoy a bit of diversity in that regard. Of course, it's very hit-or-miss and it's probably smart to stay very conservative. However, wearing something less grayscale and a bit more colorful could be helpful when this comes up. "Power color" ties and a white shirt seem to do this well without becoming aberrant.

 

[def1]

The one time I wore a purple tie there were four others in the room wearing purple...



True, but I think some of the older folks on AdComs enjoy a bit of diversity in that regard. Of course, it's very hit-or-miss and it's probably smart to stay very conservative. However, wearing something less grayscale and a bit more colorful could be helpful when this comes up. "Power color" ties and a white shirt seem to do this well without becoming aberrant.

yea I think ties are the one accessory that you can add a little diversity too. I'd also say maybe if your feeling rather bold, you can match your socks to your tie color.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

yea I think ties are the one accessory that you can add a little diversity too. I'd also say maybe if your feeling rather bold, you can match your socks to your tie color.

Absolutely on the ties, though I'd still stay away from the Snowman or the Snowflake. I'm not anywhere near a Menswear expert, but I feel like that sock situation could very easily be interpreted as you don't know wtf you're doing.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Absolutely on the ties, though I'd still stay away from the Snowman or the Snowflake. I'm not anywhere near a Menswear expert, but I feel like that sock situation could very easily be interpreted as you don't know wtf you're doing.

Not necessarily the sock color - maybe you could find a nice argyle one that has patterns with color similar to the tie. It might be appropriate for a fun formal event (not black tie), but I definitely wouldn't push it in an interview.

 

[def1]

Not necessarily the sock color - maybe you could find a nice argyle one that has patterns with color similar to the tie. It might be appropriate for a fun formal event (not black tie), but I definitely wouldn't push it in an interview.

I think it can be done for an interview but you'd have to be really conservative with your colors.

For example a charcoal suit, white shirt, navy tie, navy socks I think wouldn't look totally out of place at an interview.

Still it is definitely best to not try and push the boundaries of conservative attire at an interview.

For example I think this is a nice look with purple socks

but probably not something I would try at an interview.

 

[911 Turbo]

Please don't wear a plain white shirt. Medical schools are looking for swag, not some plain old boring white shirt charcoal suit and blue tie.



Here's some good examples of what you should be aiming for:

 

[caianya]

For women, what's the consensus on skirt suits versus pant suits?

 

[Ismet]

For women, what's the consensus on skirt suits versus pant suits?

Whatever you're more comfortable in. I wore pants, and I'd say there is a good representation of both at interviews. IMO pants are easier, you don't have to deal with the possible run in your stockings, they're warmer, etc

 

[touchpause13]

Wear pink

I wore pink 🙂

 

[caianya]

Whatever you're more comfortable in. I wore pants, and I'd say there is a good representation of both at interviews. IMO pants are easier, you don't have to deal with the possible run in your stockings, they're warmer, etc

Good point. 🙂

I'd just be afraid they'd make me look too much like a bitchy attorney. But then conservative-length skirts tend to make me look like I'm twelve and playing dress up with my mother's clothes.

*sigh* Why can't we just do it all by Skype?