what do you bring to interviews?

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marqaha

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Does anyone bring copies of their CV, reprints of papers published, normal copies of papers published, copies of dean's letter, copies of personal statement, etc. If so, do you carry a briefcase/messenger bag around with you all day? How common is this?
 
I did not bring that stuff. They have those papers already. I did not carry a messenger bag but I am sure a tasteful one would be fine. Are you in med school? They are not going to care if you bring a nice messenger bag along, but if you have some heavy briefcase then that would be odd probably.
 
I've heard it's nice to have copies of your CV. Not definite must but a good thing to have just in case. This is not something they get through ERAS.
 
I took a pen and a little moleskin notebook which I had my questions written in. When I forgot that, I would just take the folder each program invariably gives with me and write the answers to my questions on a piece of paper from the included material. I found NO need to have a CV, manuscripts, etc with me.
 
A towel. Preferably one soaked in nutrients.

Otherwise....PhakeDoc beat me to it : bring a moleskin and a pen so you can jot things down. Moleskin's are the perfect pocket or purse size and you can organize your thoughts on a program post interview and keep them all in one spot. Phake.... nice taste 🙂 I'm addicted to those little notebooks. Talk about something that's just designed to fulfill its purpose perfectly. 😍

I am also bringing along a copy of my essay, c.v. and one of my publications (its unusual, and I expect that it will come up in conversation, and if someone wants to see it, there it is...) but I don't expect to need or use any of these things. I have a purse that's sort of like a little messenger bag, and I"ll put them in that simply because I"ll be bringing a purse anyway. I wouldn't worry about bringing anything else.
 
I brought a copy of the research paper I was working on, especially since it had impressive imaging pictures, which are quick and easy to "wow" people with. I think if you have anything to bring to prolong the interview (without being annoying of course), you're better remembered, and have a better chance of staying in the minds of interviewers, who see 100's of candidates over several months. Just don't stay in their minds for the wrong reason....
 
To follow up on what blue mentioned..... vivid pictures will wow them, yes. But this DOES NOT mean you should carry 8.5x11 glossies from that boudoir session you shot for your girlfriend/boyfriend last year. 2x3 wallet size will do just fine.
 
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