What to bring to interview??

[Ging7452]

Should I bring a padfolio to write notes on and put handouts in (maybe bring a copy of my thesis)? If not, wouldn't it be weird to walk in without anything? I'm not neurotic I promise haha I'm just not sure what is deemed too much or unnecessary but I do want to show up prepared and as expected.

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[PapaGuava]

Make sure your shoes are tied tight, and dont get in a fight

In all seriousness, I would say at the very least bring a pen or something to write with if you want to take notes. I've also brought a folder with me with some paper if I needed to write anything specific down.

 

[Goro]

Should I bring a padfolio to write notes on and put handouts in (maybe bring a copy of my thesis)? If not, wouldn't it be weird to walk in without anything? For any females, did you bring a purse, briefcase? I'm not neurotic I promise haha I'm just not sure what is deemed too much or unnecessary but I do want to show up prepared and as expected.

Please do NOT do show and tell.

 

[kraskadva]

Just yourself.

I took a purse with me on interviews and it was more of a hassle than it was worth. If you're wearing a suit jacket then you should have pockets which can hold a pen, your car key, and your ID. That's literally all you need and trying to hold other stuff and shake hands with everybody is a pain.
Every school will give you a folder and you can scribble in the margins/on the backs of the info sheets if you really need to take notes.

 

[Ging7452]

Just yourself.

I took a purse with me on interviews and it was more of a hassle than it was worth. If you're wearing a suit jacket then you should have pockets which can hold a pen, your car key, and your ID. That's literally all you need and trying to hold other stuff and shake hands with everybody is a pain.
Every school will give you a folder and you can scribble in the margins/on the backs of the info sheets if you really need to take notes.

hmm okay that's good to hear, I think I might just toss a pen in my pocket and call it a day. I thought it might be good to show up with a padfolio at least but it's looking like it won't be necessary. Thank you!

 

[kraskadva]

This is good to know, thank you. I was told that I would be expected to have it with me and my resume(??) but especially since I have a masters, I should have the thesis with just in case it is brought up. Is this not necessary than in your opinion? I wasn't planning on mentioning it unless asked or brought up to be honest.

Nobody will want your CV (it's all in the app anyway), much less your thesis. Though be prepared to discuss/explain it if it comes up.

hmm okay that's good to hear, I think I might just toss a pen in my pocket and call it a day. I thought it might be good to show up with a padfolio at least but it's looking like it won't be necessary. Thank you!

Definitely not necessary. If having one would make you more comfortable, security blanket style, then you won't be out of place taking one. It's just not needed.

 

[Goro]

This is good to know, thank you. I was told that I would be expected to have it with me and my resume(??) but especially since I have a masters, I should have the thesis with just in case it is brought up. Is this not necessary than in your opinion? I wasn't planning on mentioning it unless asked or brought up to be honest.

The interviewers have your application. Why do you think they need your resume as well???

And who told you that and missions committee members would need your resume? Was it it an admissions Dean?

If it was some ignorant pre-med, you can disregard that information because it was wrong

 

[BellaWriterChic]

I took a small crossbody purse for wallet, keys, lipstick/compact for touch up, tic tacs, and back up feminine products. I kept it small so it was not obnoxious or in the way.

 

[AcesCracked]

I would strongly suggest you just bring a pen and notebook at most. Handing out a resume or thesis statement is unnecessary and redundant. They have your application and know about you already.

 

[workaholic181]

I didn't bring anything to any of mine. The people who did were the outliers and usually had to leave their stuff with an admissions desk worker during tours / interviews. Don't bring anything.

 

[Ging7452]

I took a small crossbody purse for wallet, keys, lipstick/compact for touch up, tic tacs, and back up feminine products. I kept it small so it was not obnoxious or in the way.

Okay thank you!

 

[Ging7452]

I didn't bring anything to any of mine. The people who did were the outliers and usually had to leave their stuff with an admissions desk worker during tours / interviews. Don't bring anything.

Thanks!

 

[Ging7452]

I would strongly suggest you just bring a pen and notebook at most. Handing out a resume or thesis statement is unnecessary and redundant. They have your application and know about you already.

Yeah, I might just bring a pen and my phone, keys...seems like I won't need anything else, thanks!

 

[kraskadva]

Yeah, I might just bring a pen and my phone, keys...seems like I won't need anything else, thanks!

I'd even leave the phone in your car/luggage. It should be off during the interview anyway so no point in lugging it around. If you need to check the time wear a watch instead.

 

[Ging7452]

I'd even leave the phone in your car/luggage. It should be off during the interview anyway so no point in lugging it around. If you need to check the time wear a watch instead.

I would but I need it in order to get my ride back to the hotel lol

 

[BellaWriterChic]

I would but I need it in order to get my ride back to the hotel lol

I had mine in the bottom of my purse and did not touch it until the interview day was completely over to contact my ride. It stayed on mute/do not disturb

Sent from my SM-G892A using SDN mobile

 

[Ging7452]

I had mine in the bottom of my purse and did not touch it until the interview day was completely over to contact my ride. It stayed on mute/do not disturb

Sent from my SM-G892A using SDN mobile

Yeah, I plan to do the same! To be honest, I'm not sure why anyone would think it was a good idea to go on their phone during an interview or while visiting a school.

 

[BobbyKoch]

Yeah, I plan to do the same! To be honest, I'm not sure why anyone would think it was a good idea to go on their phone during an interview or while visiting a school.

One kid emailed his thank you note seconds after getting back from his interview.

I mean I’m all for courtesy and graciousness, but it also suggests that you were busy with your phone while interview day was progressing.

 

[Magus5454]

One kid emailed his thank you note seconds after getting back from his interview.

I mean I’m all for courtesy and graciousness, but it also suggests that you were busy with your phone while interview day was progressing.

Haha I waited till I was back home

 

[Ging7452]

One kid emailed his thank you note seconds after getting back from his interview.

I mean I’m all for courtesy and graciousness, but it also suggests that you were busy with your phone while interview day was progressing.

Is this a regular practice to send a thank you notes? I've actually never heard of that, but that's probably on me

 

[BellaWriterChic]

Is this a regular practice to send a thank you notes? I've actually never heard of that, but that's probably on me

I did after every interview ether to the individual interviewers or the admissions committee, depending on the school and their policy. I always hand wrote them though. Sent within the week of the interview.

 

[AcesCracked]

Is this a regular practice to send a thank you notes? I've actually never heard of that, but that's probably on me

Its a regular practice, I never did though. I just tried to go up to my interviewers as the day was closing and tell them how much I enjoyed the school and appreicated the oppurtunity. Its a nice gesture to send notes, but definitely not mandatory.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Should I bring a padfolio to write notes on and put handouts in (maybe bring a copy of my thesis)? If not, wouldn't it be weird to walk in without anything? For any females, did you bring a purse, briefcase? I'm not neurotic I promise haha I'm just not sure what is deemed too much or unnecessary but I do want to show up prepared and as expected.

Dress for a formal interview, bring a smile and good nature. We have all we need to know. Do NOT hand out business cards. I find this very annoying

 

[Goro]

Is this a regular practice to send a thank you notes? I've actually never heard of that, but that's probably on me

Only if your mama raised you to be polite. I suspect most people send them not out of politeness, but in the deluded hope that this will somehow positively affect their fate. It won't. The interviewers will have decided how to score you within 30 mins of leaving the interview room.

 

[Ging7452]

Dress for a formal interview, bring a smile and good nature. We have all we need to know. Do NOT hand out business cards. I find this very annoying

Will do! Thank you!

 

[Ging7452]

Only if your mama raised you to be polite. I suspect most people send them not out of politeness, but in the deluded hope that this will somehow positively affect their fate. It won't. The interviewers will have decided how to score you within 30 mins of leaving the interview room.

I'm glad I found out about the notes, I was just planning on sending an email later that night to the interviewers thanking them for their time, like I would for any job/club/organization interview. It's sad that it's reached a point where ulterior motives have developed 🙁

 

[Osteosaur]

I brought a portfolio for notes. I barely used it except to write down emails for thank you notes. The interviews where I started drawing graphs of my research data were places I got rejected...

I did bring a bag. You'll want a bottle of water, and a place to put any materials they give you. It's nice have chapstick, DayQuil, etc. too just in case. You want to be comfortable.