What to bring to an interview

[shadow]

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Any recommendations on what to bring to an interview? I was planning to take a soft briefcase/bag and a notebook with some points I'd like to cover in the interview and questions I want to ask the interviewer. Is this pretty standard? What do you all take to interviews?

Thanks

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

take your dog.

 

[Rendar5]

That's pretty standard, though most places give you brochures and handouts in a bag or folder when you arrive. I go with a soft briefcase with a notebook inside and compartments to hold all the mpas and d/ls I get from online. Honestly, I've only had one interview where the notebook and briefcase were useful. But always bring campus maps and travel directions.

 

[elias514]

some KY-jelly and a latex glove

 

[crazy250]

bring nothing except something to write with. i really don't think interviewers care what you bring. i personally think it's a hassle to bring a briefcase. a lot of people i interviewed with didn't bring anything. bringing stuff makes you look like a gunner and a stuck up.

 

[elias514]

the interviewers really like people who bring these items

 

[jlee9531]

its a hassle to bring anything to an interview esp a briefcase.

you wont even have too much time at the end of the interview to ask many questions. maybe 1 or 2. but im sure you can remember those and not bust out your notebook to ask. you arent planning to take notes right? the answer is prolly no but i just had to ask haha.

if you feel you need to bring something then a thin folder should suffice. most schools give you a packet/folder with info and you can just take notes on the back of the papers they give you.

i dont remember having time to "review" or anything like that. i just spent the time getting to know the people interviewing there and the med students.

points to cover in the interview? its not like you have the control of directing where the interview goes. they want to know something....you tell them.

 

[DrBodacious]

Even if your interview is open ended, for example if the interviewer asks you to tell you about yourself and why they should accept you, you shouldn't use notes for a response. They are looking to get to know you personally and would frown upon scripted answers. Memorize what you want to talk about a note. I think I will take a small note pad to jot down pros and cons about the school, if I have the opportunity to do so, to help when deciding where to go.

 

[woolie]

I'm a woman and so I bought a nice black bag that was big enough to hold business stuff. Conservative but no big deal. This was good for the papers I was given and I could put my lipstick, breathmints, pens and all that jazz in there. I normally carry a canvas one, so it made me feel relaxed to have something there.

I tried to just listen carefully to my interviewers and any questions I had came from things we were already talking about, so the transition seemed pretty smooth.

 

[MeowMix]

for girls: anything in which you can carry a spare pair of nylons. I never go to a professional meeting without spares.
And some toothpicks so you can pick lunch out of your teeth before your afternoon interview.

 

[acab]

Just bring a pen. Anything else will be of no use and you'll just have to carry it around. After my 1st interview, I started taking a pen, directions to admissions office, and a toothbrush.

 

[elias514]

Why are you stressing out about what to bring with you to an interview? Interviewers don't freakin care. They want to get to know YOU, not your belongings.

THEREFORE, you should bring some KY jelly and a latex glove. You may be astonished to hear this. But trust me! It works! I gained admission to a top-ten med school, and I attribute my success to these items alone.

 

[idq1i]

Cash, lots of it

Admissions people appreciate tips/bribes

 

[beastmaster]

DO NOT BRING ANYTHING.

You won't need anything other than possibly a pen (which you can always ask to borrow from others).

 

[indo]

rule #1: People on SDN rarely know what they are talking about.

 

[GoodMonkey]

rule #2: if, however, you are interviewing at DW's skool of medical things, make sure to bring nipple tassles. his "interview panel" will provide the pole. this i DO know.

 

[indo]

Originally posted by GoodMonkey
rule #2: if, however, you are interviewing at DW's skool of medical things, make sure to bring nipple tassles. his "interview panel" will provide the pole. this i DO know.

i just choked on a tortilla chip! nipple tassles!!

I'm going to wear nipple tassles for graduation!

 

[Spitting Camel]

If you're a girl, can I come?

 

[futuredrswife]

don't bring anything except a pen and a mint or stick of gum.

 

[greenie8]

I've been bringing a nice black purse/bag that is big enough to hold the folders that they give you.

I'm all for not carrying anything, but I've always brought snacks in the bag with me. I'm a vegetarian and already 2 of the schools didn't offer veggie lunch. Out come the granola, cheese and apples from my bag.

Everyone should bring breath mints or gum especially if your interviews are after lunch.

greenie

 

[OZ2003]

People have also suggested bringing extra copies of your AMCAS and secondary applications.