What to bring to the interview ?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
R

rubisco88

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2010
Messages
519
Reaction score
10
Besides a notebook and pen what else do I need to bring for interview day? Do I need to bring my resume or essays or anything like that?
Members don't see this ad.
 
Nope, just bring your confidence and your pearly whites. You can also just leave those annoying nerves at home, they won't really help you much anyways. Good luck!
 
No, the interviewer will have them if its open file and if not, it's to get you to talk w/o you or them relying on a resume.

Other things I would consider is gum or mints if you drink coffee before the interview or if the interview is after lunch (but toss the gum before the interview) and a bottle of water. Bring it with you if your interview is first thing or buy one at lunch if its later in the day.

**and by interview I mean when you actually have your one-on-one interview**
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I'm bringing copies of my research and my resume. Better safe then sorry; it takes 5 minutes to print everything so why not?
 
rubisco88 said:
Besides a notebook and pen what else do I need to bring for interview day? Do I need to bring my resume or essays or anything like that?
Click to expand...

Check the school's website. Some schools don't care and others mind if you bring something else. You don't want to bring the wrong baggage on a ride.
 
rubisco88 said:
Besides a notebook and pen what else do I need to bring for interview day? Do I need to bring my resume or essays or anything like that?
Click to expand...

What kind of writing surface should we bring that would be the most convenient?

Or is bringing writing material & utensil necessary at all?
 
nychila said:
What kind of writing surface should we bring that would be the most convenient?

Or is bringing writing material & utensil necessary at all?
Click to expand...

Dude, way overthinking this. Most people bring a leather folio if they bring something. I would suggest that as you won't look as ridiculous as bringing just a legal bad or a binder.

I found having a pen and paper helpful at times because I could write some stuff down, but really it was more for show than anything else. I don't like having empty hands.
 
NickNaylor said:
Make sure you have copies of your MCAT score report.

I'm kidding in the case it wasn't obvious. And someone would probably take it seriously.

(sent from my phone)
Click to expand...

If you hadn't added that second line, I'm certain lots of people would have brought it along with them. :laugh:
 
NickNaylor said:
I don't like having empty hands.
Click to expand...

That's definitely the case for me during interviews as well. I feel awkward if I'm not holding something. I just carried a folio around. Some school will give you a packet of information during the beginning of the day too, so in all likelihood you'll be forced to carry something anyway.
 
If you're a guy no worries. Maybe some floss or gum or something in case you interview after you eat.

I get the impression that you're a dude, but just in case any girls read this thread and want suggestions, here's my list:

Clear nail polish to stop runs in pantyhose (possibly an entire extra pair)
Extra heel pads for shoes
Pair of flats to change into for tours
Makeup for touch-ups
Tiny sewing kit in case something gets snagged/button falls off
Bobby pins
Dental floss

I've never actually needed any of this stuff (besides the bobby pins), but I bring it anyway just to be safe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
NickNaylor said:
Make sure you have copies of your MCAT score report.
Click to expand...

Didn't read the rest of your post, but is it really necessary to bring a copy of our MCAT score report if we wear a T-shirt to the interview that has our score and breakdown along with the percentiles printed on it?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Members don't see this ad :)
Fenouil said:
If you're a guy no worries. Maybe some floss or gum or something in case you interview after you eat.

I get the impression that you're a dude, but just in case any girls read this thread and want suggestions, here's my list:

Clear nail polish to stop runs in pantyhose (possibly an entire extra pair)
Extra heel pads for shoes
Pair of flats to change into for tours
Makeup for touch-ups
Tiny sewing kit in case something gets snagged/button falls off
Bobby pins
Dental floss

I've never actually needed any of this stuff (besides the bobby pins), but I bring it anyway just to be safe.
Click to expand...
Being a girl seems way too difficult.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I have just brought an my driver's license to every interview so far. Some of them have asked for us to bring it for check in. Other than that every place I have been has given us some sort of folder to write in and a writing utensil. So other than your ID I would say nothing else is imperative but I have seen a lot of people bring a folio like NickNaylor said just not necessary unless you want to.
 
Bring a leather folio with Prestigious University embossed in large print. Be sure to point it outwards so everyone knows you went to a Great School. Bring laminated copies of your 45T MCAT score and 4.0 transcript. Let them "slip out" multiple times, and wait a few moments to realize that you've "dropped" them. A photo album of you with lots of smiling African children is also helpful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
Being totally serious: keep a supply of passport-sized/style photos of yourself. Some schools ask you to bring one (one even told me two as I'm supposed to give one to each interviewer) and it can sometimes be hard to remember which ones ask for it and its something easy to forget.
 
I hate seeing those portfolios. It makes me feel inferior. Seriously, am I the only one daydreaming during the curriculum/financial aid/housing presentations? I can't be the only one. Everyone's busily taking notes in their stupid little portfolios. STOP IT GUNNERS.
 
olecranon4 said:
I hate seeing those portfolios. It makes me feel inferior. Seriously, am I the only one daydreaming during the curriculum/financial aid/housing presentations? I can't be the only one. Everyone's busily taking notes in their stupid little portfolios. STOP IT GUNNERS.
Click to expand...

this has most definitely been me at my interviews. I don't bring anything since things are provided it seems that there really isn't a need to take notes. If you do feel the need to add something, you are given paper to use in most packets.

If you are planning on using it in the interview, then you aren't really listening if you ask me. :laugh:
 
olecranon4 said:
I hate seeing those portfolios. It makes me feel inferior. Seriously, am I the only one daydreaming during the curriculum/financial aid/housing presentations? I can't be the only one. Everyone's busily taking notes in their stupid little portfolios. STOP IT GUNNERS.
Click to expand...

I bring folios on interviews from habit when I was interviewing for business/finance jobs. Financial aid presentations during interview day were the worst things ever. Talking about loans and numbers at 9am in the morning is not my cup of tea.
 
olecranon4 said:
I hate seeing those portfolios. It makes me feel inferior. Seriously, am I the only one daydreaming during the curriculum/financial aid/housing presentations? I can't be the only one. Everyone's busily taking notes in their stupid little portfolios. STOP IT GUNNERS.
Click to expand...

You should probably pay attention to those, especially if they happen before your interview(s). Not paying attention to that stuff is missing an opportunity to learn something about the school that could be useful to you in the interview.

I agree that some people take notes on absolutely asinine stuff, though. I remember that and the utterly stupid questions a lot of people ask being the most ridiculous parts about interview days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I brought nothing. There was always something to write on if there was any critical information (which there often was not). You are usually provided with a folder, information papers, a pen, etc. Medical school interview swag.
 
AiyaTuc said:
WOW. So glad to be a man.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's kinda unfair. I make myself feel better by thinking about how guys have to wear ties, which I've always thought were sort of weird/uncomfortable/nonfunctional looking. Like leashes or something.
 
ocdocdocd said:
didn't read the rest of your post, but is it really necessary to bring a copy of our mcat score report if we wear a t-shirt to the interview that has our score and breakdown along with the percentiles printed on it?
Click to expand...

lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

S
Is there anything I need to bring to inperson interview?
Replies
21
Views
2K
bincx1602
bincx1602
R
Bringing Up Faith in Interview
Replies
16
Views
1K
Robin-jay
Robin-jay
R
"What do you bring to a medical school class" interview question
Replies
23
Views
3K
jhmmd
jhmmd
L
C in a repeated course - bring up in secondaries?
Replies
12
Views
511
lutang
L
E
SDN Article: Student Leaders and Ambassadors: Bringing Out the Best
Replies
0
Views
286
Emil Chuck
E
Top