What to bring to an interview?

[lilchinoboy03]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I remember reading last cycle about people bringing certain things to their interviews. A leather portfolio I believe was one of them? What could go in there? Resume? Your own notes? What else would be a good idea to bring?

 

[pts218]

I didn't like bringing anything with me to the interviews, I think it's just one more thing to fidget with. I found myself not looking at my portfolio at all when I brought it with me and so that made me feel like a dumb ass; that I was just carrying this thing around when it served no purpose. They already have a copy of your resume out in front of them, if you have anything substancial that you've added to it then maybe I would bring a revised copy. As for notes, I liked to have prepared questions in my head about the program.

Do yourself a favor and read over their website or anything they send prior to the interview and ask them questions from there. Give them an opportunity to boast about their school and you'll also come across as having done your homework.

 

[Shunwei]

I didn't like bringing anything with me to the interviews, I think it's just one more thing to fidget with. I found myself not looking at my portfolio at all when I brought it with me and so that made me feel like a dumb ass; that I was just carrying this thing around when it served no purpose. They already have a copy of your resume out in front of them, if you have anything substancial that you've added to it then maybe I would bring a revised copy. As for notes, I liked to have prepared questions in my head about the program.

Do yourself a favor and read over their website or anything they send prior to the interview and ask them questions from there. Give them an opportunity to boast about their school and you'll also come across as having done your homework.

Still a good idea to go prepared and look professional. It wouldn't also hurt to have the resume and other stuff to look over and review before the interview.

 

[wigglytooth]

Still a good idea to go prepared and look professional. It wouldn't also hurt to have the resume and other stuff to look over and review before the interview.

Also I'd assume you'll be seeing a bunch of presentations and having a lot of information thrown at you. It would be a good idea to at least have something to write down things of note before you forget them. Also things like first impressions of the facilities, etc. I don't plan on writing an essay, but a word or two about what I saw would help me if I have to choose between schools.

 

[wannabDMD]

is it weird to bring a camera? Maybe that seems like too much of a tourist? Obviously you wouldn't be taking pictures while they were interviewing you, but maybe during the tour or something?

 

[DrSmiles12]

Oh yeah I am gonna take a camera, I can't afford to take my wife to the schools to see them so I will take some pics so she can get a feel for each school. This is a family decision for me.

Do you guys think we should take a shadowing journal?

 

[IcemanDDS]

I thought about keeping a journal, but instead I just carry one around in my head.. 🙂

 

[busterb]

At one of my interviews last year, I didn't bring anything and I felt like an idiot when I was the only one not taking notes while the head of admissions was talking. So, maybe something to write with would be good.

 

[armorshell]

My personal opionion is that bringing anything besides a pen and possibly as camera is pointless. I brought a portfolio to my interviews and never used it, almost every school gave out a portfolio with information anyway.

You will see people taking notes during speeches, but those people are generally tools and just trying to impress the faculty. Trying and failing. Listen with your ears, not with your hands.

 

[pts218]

Still a good idea to go prepared and look professional. It wouldn't also hurt to have the resume and other stuff to look over and review before the interview.

I personally think you look more prepared and professional when you have insightful questions, specific to the individual school, that you don't just read off from a portfolio. Again your resume, your DATs and your essay will be out in front of them, there's no need to give them another copy of the same thing. As for taking notes, the admissions people are not going to be telling you any new information that you shouldn't already have researched prior to your interview.

Bottom line: If having that portfolio, lucky rabbits foot, etc. is going to make you more comfortable during the interview then bring it along. The interviewers want to get an accurate assessment of who you are as a person so if holding that portfolio makes you feel at ease, then by all means.

The best tip I can give is to prepare some answers for any sort of deficiencies that you might have in your application. You really don't want to come up with an intelligent answer, on the spot, about why you got that C- in introductory psychology or why you only got a 17 on the QR section of the DAT.

Good Luck to All

 

[dental0903]

For those of you that recommend not bringing much to an interview are you speaking for only males or males and females both? I am a female and I was considering bringing a simple, professional looking bag with me to carry my keys, wallet, hairbrush (to be used in the bathroom only, of course), pen, notepad, etc. What do you guys think?

 

[djeffreyt]

For those of you that recommend not bringing much to an interview are you speaking for only males or males and females both? I am a female and I was considering bringing a simple, professional looking bag with me to carry my keys, wallet, hairbrush (to be used in the bathroom only, of course), pen, notepad, etc. What do you guys think?

Almost every girl brought some kind of handbag. I don't think you need anything beyond whatever small make up or other items you want in it...maybe a pen.

Generally speaking when I interviewed bringing extra stuff was a waste of time. Bring a pen and that's it. Most schools ended up giving you the following:

a folder
something to write on
pens
water
lunch
financial aid information
school admissions information
more informational packets

Just bring the pen in case you end up needing one, but the rest is pointless. They're not going to leave you stranded, and they aren't so anal that they would judge you adversely if you asked for a pen.

 

[reapply2007]

I suggest you read the SDN interview feed back and the following thread for your school of interest to give you some feeder material for interview questions.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=401980