:Somewhat Urgent: Visiting PCOM...

[MaximusD]

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So I'm visiting PCOM tomorrow in a non-interview context, because I would like to learn more about the school. I want a while to think about what I like best about the school so I can be best prepared for my interview later this month.

1. What should I wear? Are jeans and a button-down fine or should it be a "khaki affair"?

2. Should I drop by the admissions office to meet staff and possibly take an informal tour?

I'll add more questions as I think of them 🙂

Thanks guys...sorry that this is a last-minute thing.

 

[jkhamlin]

So I'm visiting PCOM tomorrow in a non-interview context, because I would like to learn more about the school. I want a while to think about what I like best about the school so I can be best prepared for my interview later this month.

1. What should I wear? Are jeans and a button-down fine or should it be a "khaki affair"?

2. Should I drop by the admissions office to meet staff and possibly take an informal tour?

I'll add more questions as I think of them 🙂

Thanks guys...sorry that this is a last-minute thing.

I've done this a couple of times. I recommend going as professional as you feel comfortable. No need for a suit, though. Although my first time visiting OSU I wore jeans and a button down shirt (that's when I met DrMom). I had just returned from visiting the zoo, so I was pretty informal. I think it works, though, for OSU as they are pretty laid back, and the atmosphere in Oklahoma is not so intense. I guess it depends on the school, and if you aren't sure, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.

 

[MaximusD]

I've done this a couple of times. I recommend going as professional as you feel comfortable. No need for a suit, though. Although my first time visiting OSU I wore jeans and a button down shirt (that's when I met DrMom). I had just returned from visiting the zoo, so I was pretty informal. I think it works, though, for OSU as they are pretty laid back, and the atmosphere in Oklahoma is not so intense. I guess it depends on the school, and if you aren't sure, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.

I was thinking that wearing a nice pair of khakis with a button-down would be nice. I won't wear loafers or anything... I'd like to wear jeans, but I wouldn't want to come off as unprofessional even if it's only a small risk seeing as it won't be for my interview...

At any rate, is it a good idea to drop by admissions and ask them something along the lines of, "I am a current applicant invited to interview later this month and I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the school..."??

 

[jkhamlin]

I was thinking that wearing a nice pair of khakis with a button-down would be nice. I won't wear loafers or anything... I'd like to wear jeans, but I wouldn't want to come off as unprofessional even if it's only a small risk seeing as it won't be for my interview...

At any rate, is it a good idea to drop by admissions and ask them something along the lines of, "I am a current applicant invited to interview later this month and I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the school..."??

I probably would. I don't know anything about PCOM, but if they're not too busy I would bet they would be happy to give you a tour and talk to you a little.

 

[HunterGatherer]

call PCOM before doing this. Some admissions office are just not set up for unscheduled visits. I know NYCOM is not. It puts you in an awkward situation if they say "no".

 

[MaximusD]

call PCOM before doing this. Some admissions office are just not set up for unscheduled visits. I know NYCOM is not. It puts you in an awkward situation if they say "no".

Oh yeah I was definitely going to call them in the morning.

I guess that wasn't clear... I'm just as fine sitting in on a class or two and walking around myself... I'll get the specifics on my interview tour. This trip is pretty much just to get a feel for the school. I couldn't do this at the other schools that I interviewed at because they were both a great distance away.

 

[medhacker]

Oh yeah I was definitely going to call them in the morning.

I guess that wasn't clear... I'm just as fine sitting in on a class or two and walking around myself... I'll get the specifics on my interview tour. This trip is pretty much just to get a feel for the school. I couldn't do this at the other schools that I interviewed at because they were both a great distance away.

If your goal is to impress on interview day, why not do an informal self-tour? maybe tag along with a student (that you have convened with before-hand) then maybe she/he can take you to a couple of classes, answer some questions, etc...

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

If you want to go to a 1st year class, PM me and i'll give ya my phone number. We have 5 hrs of lecture tomorrow, starting at 9am. We also have an exam on tuesday, so you will see a lot of stressed out 1st years. 🙁 🙁 😡

If you want an informal tour, you could just visit during our scheduled lunch time. I believe it is at 12pm tomorrow. That would probably work out a whole lot better.

Try to PM me before 8:30am (hopefully you read this in time).

 

[MaximusD]

If you want to go to a 1st year class, PM me and i'll give ya my phone number. We have 5 hrs of lecture tomorrow, starting at 9am. We also have an exam on tuesday, so you will see a lot of stressed out 1st years. 🙁 🙁 😡

If you want an informal tour, you could just visit during our scheduled lunch time. I believe it is at 12pm tomorrow. That would probably work out a whole lot better.

Try to PM me before 8:30am (hopefully you read this in time).

I'm sorry for the whole exam situation... Good luck though!

12 PM would work out great! I was planning on hitting the road at around 9 AM from here. It's about a 2 hour drive. I will respond with specifics in a PM.

 

[iwilldlvr]

I would do as much as possible. The more informed you are about the school, the more you have to discuss at the interview. It can give you an opportunity to deflect the attention onto the interviewers as needed.

I would sit in on a class and even see if you can find a way to meet one of the professors and discuss something with them. I don't know if that is available or not, but you can probably find out. The more you interact with faculty and students, the better off you will be.

 

[BklynWill]

As an applicant I did this very same thing that you plan to do. I had a free Friday and drove down to Philly from NY on impulse- I didn't call ahead. I dressed nicely, introduced myself to security, and then again at admissions. They were super nice and gave me a quick impromptu tour.

When I interviewed several weeks later, I mentioned my previous visit and what interested me about the school. I think that definitely scored me some points.

Last year as a second-year I finally repaid my karma after being recruited to give a tour to a propspective applicant. Perhaps in a few years you'll get to do the same.

It would probably be best to call ahead before visiting so they can be ready for you. Don't be pushy and kindly understand if they say no. But I still think it's a good idea to visit. 👍

 

[Dr JPH]

Hope your day went well on campus. Sorry I was unavailable to meet up with you. Good luck in your upcoming interview...let me know if you need any help.