Tips on what to bring on an interview

[patch_o]

Since my interviews last year were in state (MN), I never had to fly. I was wondering if any of you had any tips to share when flying to interviews. For example, How to pack your suit, anything helpful to bring with on flights, where to book flights, where to rent cars, if to rent cars etc. Hopefully this thread will be beneficial to a lot of people. Thanks for all the tips you can provide!

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[discus]

Since my interviews last year were in state (MN), I never had to fly. I was wondering if any of you had any tips to share when flying to interviews. For example, How to pack your suit, anything helpful to bring with on flights, where to book flights, where to rent cars, if to rent cars etc. Hopefully this thread will be beneficial to a lot of people. Thanks for all the tips you can provide!

Don't take more than you can fit in a carry-on bag, or it will slow you down. I would def bring some Kleenex, esp during winter interviews. I think on a few occasions, I was sick and sneezing during my interview, and what saved me was Kleenex.

 

[MossPoh]

I have a special suit bag for my suit..I don't know I load all of my stuff in there but don't close it and leave it hanging for as long as possible and then before I fly I would simply close it up and take it as a carry on with my ipod or a book... Whenever I get to where I'm going I take it out of the case as soon as possible to keep it from wrinkling anymore than it should and if a hotel has an iron I use that bad boy. You could also wear the suit on the plane if it is a shorter flight just for the day.....just don't spill stuff on it. They make special shirts like those stain defender dockers that are worth investing in though...just kind of sheds anything that hits it

 

[rajad10]

I have a special suit bag for my suit..I don't know I load all of my stuff in there but don't close it and leave it hanging for as long as possible and then before I fly I would simply close it up and take it as a carry on with my ipod or a book... Whenever I get to where I'm going I take it out of the case as soon as possible to keep it from wrinkling anymore than it should and if a hotel has an iron I use that bad boy. You could also wear the suit on the plane if it is a shorter flight just for the day.....just don't spill stuff on it. They make special shirts like those stain defender dockers that are worth investing in though...just kind of sheds anything that hits it

those actually work. i spilled a whole glass of wine on my lap during dinner, all just trickled off my stain defender khakis. my shirt, though, was another story

 

[jackieMD2007]

Since my interviews last year were in state (MN), I never had to fly. I was wondering if any of you had any tips to share when flying to interviews. For example, How to pack your suit, anything helpful to bring with on flights, where to book flights, where to rent cars, if to rent cars etc. Hopefully this thread will be beneficial to a lot of people. Thanks for all the tips you can provide!

If you are younger than 25, you can't rent a car at any desk, but from Enterprise. There is also an additional "underage driver" fee that you must pay, it is $25-40/day additional depending on where you are renting out of. If you make an online reservation, in advance, you can guarantee that you'll get an economy/compact car. That way, if they don't have one, they will upgrade you. 👍

 

[VPDcurt]

Packing only carry-on luggage is the best advice ever. Never check anything with the airline - it is almost guaranteed to get lost (happened to me for an interview - luckily I didn't have any of my necessities in the checked bag). Don't fly USair - you'll almost definitely get delayed or canceled. I booked most of my flights through the various online companies...cheaptickets, travelocity, expedia...usually you can get a car and a hotel room through them and save as well. Make sure you find out if the local hotels give discounts to the students interviewing at the med school - I know some schools do that so it's worth checking on. Also, try to get in to the city/town at a decent time the night before your interview so you can check out the location prior to your interview - you don't want to be frantically driving around a city in your suit the morning of an interview trying to find your building...especially since most interviews start relatively early in the morning. Good luck.

 

[Em1]

USair is fine, just don't go through Pittsburgh. Most rental car companies will let you rent if you're under 25, they'll just charge you more. The fee for Enterprise was the cheapest, I've used it before and it was only $10 extra/day (for ages 21-24, 18-20 was more expensive)

 

[medicomel]

Invest in a triacetate suit...during the beginning of interview season, I was toting it around in a garment bag, along with my carryon suitcase. After a few interviews I figured out it was nearly impossible to wrinkle, so I ditched the bag and began rolling up the suit and stuffing it haphazardly into my suitcase. It makes everything less stressful knowing you'll look good with minimal effort.

Oh, and don't forget to make a list of your own essentials before you go. You can check things off as you pack.

Get cab numbers of the cities you'll be traveling already stored in your phone, just in case you have trouble hailing one.

 

[greendot]

deodorant

 

[medicomel]

deodorant

you know, that was the ONE thing i forgot last year. it's vitally important one doesn't forget this.

 

[zimmie256]

Since my interviews last year were in state (MN), I never had to fly. I was wondering if any of you had any tips to share when flying to interviews. For example, How to pack your suit, anything helpful to bring with on flights, where to book flights, where to rent cars, if to rent cars etc. Hopefully this thread will be beneficial to a lot of people. Thanks for all the tips you can provide!

Good thread!

Does anybody have advice about what to bring to the actual interview (other than Kleenex)? Copy of AMCAS/resume/pubs? Pen and paper? Briefcase?

 

[silas2642]

I would say bring a relatively nice portfolio to put all the crap they're going to give you in, a pen, breath mints, chap stick, and a large tube of rectal lubricant (that's how I got in! Still walking kinda funny, though).

 

[medicomel]

i brought along my AMCAS application and the secondary, and put it in a folder. on the folder, i would write down the address of the school, phone number, flight information, hotel information and confirmation numbers.
on the inside of the folder, i would write out salient points about the school, and other interview topics you might encounter. for instance, i would write out answers to:
-why medicine?
-importance of primary care
-importance of preventative medicine
-the biggest problem in medicine today (hint: uninsured)
-a few ethical questions just to make sure (abortion, end of life issues)

just go over that on the plane and the morning before the interview.

 

[RxnMan]

Good thread!

Does anybody have advice about what to bring to the actual interview (other than Kleenex)? Copy of AMCAS/resume/pubs? Pen and paper?

Research was a strong point of my AMCAS, so I brought along copies of my posters and abstracts.

I also brought pen & paper. One of interviewers said that I shouldn't worry about him reading my app and making notes while I answered his questions - he assured me that he was listening, because after doing this for 20 years, he had developed a 'split brain,' which enabled him listen and write at the same time. When he asked if that was ok, and I looked up from writing my notes and said "Sure, if you don't mind me doing the same."

 

[LT2]

Good thread!

Does anybody have advice about what to bring to the actual interview (other than Kleenex)? Copy of AMCAS/resume/pubs? Pen and paper? Briefcase?

bring a book in case you have to wait a looooong time for your interview (unless you have other interviewees to talk to). i brought a copy of my amcas for me to review, notes about the particular school i was interviewing at, a pen to take notes, floss, nylons, a travel sized hairspray, listerine pocket strips, and i can't remember what else.

 

[patch_o]

Wow these are all good tips, and I will make sure to bring deoderant. Thanks Green! 👍

 

[strawberryfield]

I brought a small bottle of water to (easier if you're a girl and already lugging a purse around), usually it is offered to you, but when I'm talking I have a tendancy to get a dry throat, so it saved me on some occasions 😉 I can't stress enough bringing an extra pair of nylons too (girls, if you're wearing some) as LT2 said!

 

[lorelei]

If your shoes aren't broken in, or you have delicate feet like me, bring bandaids. It really sucks to have to go around with a blister all day; slap a bandaid over it and you'll be comfortable.

 

[Law2Doc]

and a large tube of rectal lubricant (that's how I got in! Still walking kinda funny, though).

Condoms are not a bad idea either if you go this route. Shows you are responsible and gets you points for maturity. 🙂

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

It's not like it's the end of the world if you forget deodorant or other toiletries since you could just pick some up at your destination. Worry about the things that you CAN'T get at your destination like the copies of your AMCAS, etc.

I used to travel a lot for business, and, if you travel a lot, you are pretty much guaranteed to forget at least one thing per trip, so IMHO, it is better if it is something that is no big deal to pick up at your destination, rather than important information or something like that.

 

[kirexhana]

Good thread!

Does anybody have advice about what to bring to the actual interview (other than Kleenex)? Copy of AMCAS/resume/pubs? Pen and paper? Briefcase?

no briefcase, but quick story. i had this huge leatherbound 3 ring folder. it was pretty professional looking, i thought, it could fit a notepad, some pens, even the interview packet that they always pass out. Problem was, it was too big. whenever i took it out to take notes, i always felt so self conscious cuz everybody else had like slim leather bound notebooks and here i was trying to unzip this monster, trying not to disturb the meeting.

think compact and discreet for your writing utensils and you'll be golden.

 

[Suaveness]

Do you NEED a suit? Or will a blazer+nice pants work?

 

[Law2Doc]

Do you NEED a suit? Or will a blazer+nice pants work?

A suit is considered the standard interview attire. Everyone else will be wearing one. This is not the day to stand out for fashion reasons. You want to look professional.

 

[notdeadyet]

A suit is considered the standard interview attire. Everyone else will be wearing one. This is not the day to stand out for fashion reasons. You want to look professional.

Agreed.

And unless you are driving cross-town for an interview, I'd strongly recommend changing in to the suit after arrival (lots of airports have rooms set up for this, bathrooms will do in a pinch).

After going through security, getting crammed in coach, eating/drinking and brushing up against god-knows-what, very few suits will look nice by the time you're shaking hands at your interview.

 

[GWmdwannabe]

Bring an umbrella - even if there's no rain forecast. While you can find toothpaste and deodorant almost everywhere, good luck finding an umbrella at the airport when you arrive and it starts to downpour.

 

[Mr. McDuck]

I can attest to that.

 

[LJDHC05]

Clean underoos for when you soil yourself waiting for your interview...

Honestly though, the most useful item that I've brought is chapstick during a winter interview. Also, when you come to New England/NY in January for an interview, for the love of GOD ALMIGHTY, BRING A FRIGGIN WINTER JACKET. It has been cold and snowy here every winter, SINCE THE LAST ICE AGE and it's not going to change because you're flying in from the tropics. Don't act surpised on your tour when you walk outside of the warm lobby into the frozen winter wasteland in your thin suit-jacket that you're cold. Following that exit into the crisp air, do not remark aloud that you just left temps in the 80's and that it's quite cold outside. I haven't seen the sun or temps above 20 in 3 weeks and I spent half the morning shoveling my car out of a 4-foot deep snow drift in my PJ's. I know it's cold, I'm miserable too, suck it up cause that's what we do here.

As a side note: guys, polish your interview shoes the night before the interview and wear dress socks...nothing looks worse with your $600 Brooks Bros. suit than white ankle socks and scuffed up dress shoes (seen it happen).

 

[chandelantern]

As a side note: guys, polish your interview shoes the night before the interview and wear dress socks...nothing looks worse with your $600 Brooks Bros. suit than white ankle socks and scuffed up dress shoes (seen it happen).

Haha...this goes for the ladies who wear pants suits too! I saw someone at one of my interviews wearing white athletic socks with her black suit! wow.

Other things...I did bring a small briefcase and I liked it. Not too many other people did, but it worked for me. I put a spare pair of hose (thankfully, my first interview i put a hole in them immediately), a small bottle of water, a book, my cell phone (turned off during the day), my wallet (ID is needed sometimes), a small case with chapstick, lipstick, a hair tie, spot remover, bandaids, a nail file, etc. I also fit a portfolio in there that had a copy of my AMCAS, a printed page with updates (after one school asked me for one and I didn't have it!), and my entire file on that school (secondary app, any correspondance, directions, highlights about the program, questions i wanted to ask, etc). Now, it's not like you're going to pull out your questions list during the interview, but most interview days are just that...the entire day, so you may have down time.

I also brought flat shoes to slip on for the tours. I only used them a couple times when I knew the tours were 1+ hrs and I had 5 interviews in a row. They were still professional, just not heals (and didn't look the best with a skirt, but my interview was done and comfort was more important at the time.)

 

[BuckerPark]

Yes. No.

Do you NEED a suit? Or will a blazer+nice pants work?

 

[Wookey]

Since my interviews last year were in state (MN), I never had to fly. I was wondering if any of you had any tips to share when flying to interviews. For example, How to pack your suit, anything helpful to bring with on flights, where to book flights, where to rent cars, if to rent cars etc. Hopefully this thread will be beneficial to a lot of people. Thanks for all the tips you can provide!

You can bring 2 carryons on board. I recommend not bringing more than this or just carry your interview clothes on the plane because at one of my interviews a guy was wearing street clothes because his airline lost his luggage. Makes for good small talk during the interview im sure but you don't want extra distractions for interview day.

Look for a hotel that has free shuttle service to the school. These hotels cost a little more but you don't have to rent a car and worry about getting lost on interview day. Also, using an airport shuttle service to the hotel is a lot cheaper than a taxi.

 

[strawberryfield]

I also brought flat shoes to slip on for the tours. I only used them a couple times when I knew the tours were 1+ hrs and I had 5 interviews in a row. They were still professional, just not heals (and didn't look the best with a skirt, but my interview was done and comfort was more important at the time.)

A girl at one of my interviews brought a pair of sneakers to wear for the tour after her interviews. I was jealous. My feet were killing me after 3-4 hrs and I still had 2 hrs left. 🙄 I wish I had done that!

 

[ShyRem]

Ladies, get a pair of dress shoes that aren't uncomfortable. Beautifeel makes some lovely, comfy, pretty shoes (a bit pricey, worth every damn penny). Clark has some professional looking shoes that are comfy (not spike heels, but comfy). Having the most fashionable shoes isn't important. Being professional, comfortable, and not looking like an idiot limping around campus is important. Pick.

 

[mdadmit]

I am a current resident and former premed advisor at Harvard. Here are my tips:

1. Everything critical goes in carry-on (I actually had my suit lost in Atlanta for 3 days and had to scrap together an outfit in DC. Craziness!)
2. Shine your shoes. Believe me, they notice.
3. Bring an extra shirt
4. Bring extra panty hose if wearing with skirt
5. Lose the piercings/cover the tattoo if you are at a conservative school
6. Bring a nice portfolio with you filled with: pen, paper for notes and jotting thoughts, copy of all publications listed on AMCAS, copy of application to specific school to review prior to interview, phone number to call if running late, floss (you'd be suprised when that comes in handy)
7. Make sure to have a warm coat if you are a west coaster or southerner heading to the north/northeast. It can get bitter and many tours are outside.
8. Have enough cash to take a cab ride if public transit is not working
9. Don't forget cell phone/charger (key if you are running late)
10. Thank you notes and stamps. Fill them out at the airport on the way out.
11. A great book that has absolutely nothing to do with medicine and takes your mind off the stressful interviewing process.

Good luck!

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