Stuff to take on interview

[Morzh]

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So since many of us are hoping for interviews later this year, what kind of stuff does one normally take?

I was thinking about getting some kind of professional looking bag/briefcase to put a notebook in as well as any materials we get on interview day. Is this normal or would I look completely ridiculous walking around with such a thing? What about if I even took an iPad or something similar to take notes with? I could also use that to look up CVs of my interviewers before I talk to them 😀.

What did you take or are planning on taking?

 

[nctw]

So since many of us are hoping for interviews later this year, what kind of stuff does one normally take?

I was thinking about getting some kind of professional looking bag/briefcase to put a notebook in as well as any materials we get on interview day. Is this normal or would I look completely ridiculous walking around with such a thing? What about if I even took an iPad or something similar to take notes with? I could also use that to look up CVs of my interviewers before I talk to them 😀.

What did you take or are planning on taking?

Taking an iPad might be a little too much, but maybe your interviewer will be a fanboy

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

I took my wallet, cell phone, and a printout of the schedule and the address of where i had to be for the day. Review your primary app and secondary the night before so your "bio" is fresh in your mind and you don't pull a "uhhh, what did I do last year/two years ago...." during he entire conversation. I also made sure i had 3-4 key points that i liked about the school and that i could ask more info about. that's about it.

 

[Morzh]

I took my wallet, cell phone, and a printout of the schedule and the address of where i had to be for the day. Review your primary app and secondary the night before so your "bio" is fresh in your mind and you don't pull a "uhhh, what did I do last year/two years ago...." during he entire conversation. I also made sure i had 3-4 key points that i liked about the school and that i could ask more info about. that's about it.

Got it thanks. So do schools give you anything? Are you awkwardly walking around with full arms by the end?

 

[senorsquishie]

Not an interviewee, but I have heard a lot of people use padfolios instead of briefcases

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=mYT8TfKuMoTy0gHCk6GfAw&sqi=2&ved=0CHIQ8wIwAg#

In fact I use one for keeping organized. This one is fancy. Mine I just keep paperwork pens, a notebook, and planner in.

 

[BushidoBrown]

I don't remember anyone bringing anything with them on the interview trail (except purses for the ladies). Walking around all day with a briefcase when you tour the school is a little ridiculous.

 

[Law2Doc]

Got it thanks. So do schools give you anything? Are you awkwardly walking around with full arms by the end?

You will often get some admissions brochures, financial aid presentation info and assorted business cards/contact info. You will want a Pen to take notes after each interview (not during). A breath mint isn't a bad idea. Some dental floss is sometimes advisable if your interview is after the lunch.

 

[Morzh]

So basically the inside pockets of my suit should be sufficient?

 

[lisi326]

I saw many, many man using those "padfolio" things. I always thought they looked stupid.

 

[cbrons]

You do not need to bring your iPad and play around with it.

If you are traveling, it might be a good idea to call them in advance and ask if you can bring your luggage and leave it in a designated place if you are catching a plane afterward. Many places will let you do this, and certainly at my interviews they did, but wouldn't hurt to double check.

 

[iniquus]

I didn't want to be phony. I brought a 99 cent folder with some papers in it and a Bic ball-point pen.

5 acceptances/5 interviews eventually, so guess it works!

 

[gettheleadout]

There a fairly extensive list here as well.

 

[deleted357625]

just be yourself....don't bring anything if you don't need too.

 

[thespazz]

Every school I went to gave me some sort of folder, it was awkward during my first few with a padfolio.

By my last three, I carried around a Moleskin notebook and a pen. Smaller and more compact than a bulky padfolio. I had written down important things to mention and other stuff in my notebook and it worked out great!

 

[pkwraith]

Typically, med schools give you a shiny folder with their names on it to hold their brochure, forms. You can just dump pretty much all your paper in it and hold it around.

I also brought a nice notebooks I got from work that I used to take notes during interviews and presentations.

 

[NickNaylor]

I used a padfolio (and most people that I saw at interviews did as well, including many of the ladies). I didn't like the idea of walking around with nothing in my hands.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

I would say nothing except some schools (I'm looking at you Vandy) apparently can't spare the couple bucks a person to give you a folder with stuff in it and just give you a stupid booklet about their school instead. THAT is awkward to carry around all day by itself. Luckily I had brought something that day to carry crap in because I did a quick fly in/fly out on the same day for the interview (I usually didn't bring anything). So to be safe you can bring a notebook or folder with some paper or something like that in case the school doesn't give you anything.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

A notebook and and handkerchief dipped in chloroform.

 

[obgyny]

I would say just bring a padfolio and pen. Most have pockets, so I was able to fit my car key/hotel room key (depending on if I drove or flew), driver's license (bring an ID!), etc. My suit didn't have pockets, but I was able to carry everything in the padfolio.

Schools will give you a folder with brochures/schedules in it (and sometimes a pen, but not always, so come prepared), but I would just carry the folder inside the padfolio. That way it's just one light thing to carry. At least at the interviews I went to, everyone (I mean everyone) had a padfolio, so I didn't feel silly at all. I bought a simple black padfolio at target for $15-20.

For my first interview, I brought a tote (I'm female) to carry my padfolio, but I really regretted it. It was annoying to carry around all day and started to feel heavy towards the end of the day (my interview days were 8-9 hours long!).

Oh, and I can't stress enough to wear COMFORTABLE shoes!!! I was "that girl" who was stupid enough to wear high heels my first interview, and was in pain for 8 of the 9 hours. We walked all over campus to tour the school and hospitals, up and down stairs, over gravel, etc. I wore flats after that, and I noticed most of the women wore flats as well.