What to carry to an interview?

[triniman]

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what do we need to carry to an interview, if anything at all????

 

[Robizzle]

nothin. MAYBE a pen to write down names and email addresses.

 

[yummysushi]

Definitely carry a pen so that you can jot down any notes during their financial aid and info sessions. After a while what you hear at differnet interviews can start blending together. Although I havent done this, I've seen several people, bring a leather notebook with a pad inside to jot down notes or stuff any sheets of paper given by admissions.

 

[triniman]

thanks a lot!!

 

[peterpansy]

There's been multiple threads about this already, but here's what I carry:

notepad and pen
tissues
breathmints
coughdrops
umbrella
feminine products
lotion, chapstick, hand sanitizer, floss
reading material/homework in case I have extra time

Will also start carrying advil after getting a bad headache half way through my last interview day. I started out with a leather folio/purse combination but ditched it in favor of a bag large enough to fit in all the materials the schools hand out and all the things I mentioned. I've seen people with all sorts of bags/briefcases/purses/folders or even with nothing at all. It doesn't matter - do what you're comfortable with. Just make sure you have everything you might potentially need.

 

[evade]

Bring a padfolio with a pen/paper inside so you can write down anything important (like your interviewer's name). If you're female, you can of course carry a purse with you. But don't do like I did and leave your purse behind in an interview, realize that you left it behind when you get the the exit of the building, then have to shamefacedly return to fetch it some 10 minutes after making a graceful and professional exit.

 

[gujuDoc]

I think everyone covered it but essentially last year's interviewees on here would talk about bringing a portfolio.

Some people recommend printing a copy of AMCAS and your secondary for that school. I believe that is what someone I know did because that way they could refer to the application the day before if it was an open file interview so they would remember what they said for that particular school should something in their app come up during interviews.

I also think a folder is good because from what this person gave me at the end of the year, it looks like she was loaded with tons of med school info and its nice to have a folder to put it all in. From the box of stuff she gave me it looks like they give tons of information about the school through brochures and catalogs and the likes. I think the strangest thing I saw in that box was the Duke Frisbee.



so probably a portfolio, some pens, and paper would be good along with copies of your secondary apps to that school and your amcas.

I'd recommend looking on interviewfeedback for tips on what the interview day is like at various schools.

 

[instigata]

What about a copy of a paper you have been working on that is ALMOST published and you have bragged about in your personal statement? 😀

 

[TPROrgoTutor]

I stuff a copy of my personal statement in my jacket breast pocket on the inside and that is all. They usually give you a notebook with any info you need.

Forgot...gum and travel scope for right b4 interview...I like fresh breath?

 

[LizzyM]

What about a copy of a paper you have been working on that is ALMOST published and you have bragged about in your personal statement? 😀

Yes! Bring a copy & ask to have it added to your file.

 

[ambidigital11]

So portfolio yes, is it too much to put keep the portfolio and papers you get in a leather bag (I'm trying not to say manpurse )?

 

[braluk]

bring a semi automatic, its good leverage

glad i could help

 

[DenmarkDoctor]

So portfolio yes, is it too much to put keep the portfolio and papers you get in a leather bag (I'm trying not to say manpurse )?

You mean MURSE!

 

[Noeljan]

I was told when I did a practice interview at my schools career services (they tape you and everything) to bring a notebook of sort because it gives you something to hold on to (so you are less likely to do nervous things with your hands). I plan on bringing something like that. Hope this helps.

 

[Hardbody]

bring a semi automatic, its good leverage

glad i could help

kind of like, make them an offer they can't refuse?

 

[deleted77919]

As a guy I would not bring a bag. The leather padfolio is perfect (or even a plain one is fine too, personal preference). Put a few sheets of paper inside, a pen or two in your coat pocket and you'll be all set. The padfolio also makes it easy to carry around directions you printed out etc without having to fold them up and stick them in your pocket.

 

[Law2Doc]

Yes! Bring a copy & ask to have it added to your file.

I was actually told specifically by an assistant dean (back when) not to bring or send copies/reprints of published papers, but just to make sure they were listed on the application (or update letters). So I personally wouldn't bring them. Interviews are frequently better without props anyhow, IMHO.

 

[TomWestmanRules]

what do we need to carry to an interview, if anything at all????

for dudes:

2 pens
leather portfolio with: pad of paper, and in the small business-card pocket: immodium, tylenol, photo of yourself, and a sudafed
gum
a good attitude
wallet with photo id

also suggested for dudes:

1) Right at the start of the day, find the attractive ladies in your interview group (and lots of you ladies at my interviews have been HOTT) and talk to them and crack small jokes. I found that having conversations like this before/during the tour and before the interview gets the jitters out of my system, and I was able to be completely at ease when talking to strangers for 30-40 minutes in the interview. Trust me, it works!

2) Also, if you're in a group of 15-20+ people, do NOT fly under the radar while on a tour with the admissions director or anything like that. You need to get on the map with even a simple question about the school or a friendly introduction. Project confidence with these folks. They'll remember you for it.

 

[Law2Doc]

1) Right at the start of the day, find the attractive ladies in your interview group (and lots of you ladies at my interviews have been HOTT) and talk to them and crack small jokes. I found that having conversations like this before/during the tour and before the interview gets the jitters out of my system, and I was able to be completely at ease when talking to strangers for 30-40 minutes in the interview. Trust me, it works!

Then again, some people need to know their limitations. You don't want to get rejected right before the interview.🙂

 

[peterpansy]

Just remember to spit out your gum before the interview. Another idea for guys: since you don't have as much carrying space (no man purse and stuffing your pockets=bad idea), make friends with girls, and I'm sure they'll share the essentials (like breath mints, tissues, etc.); I know I do. And 👍 to chatting each other up - I hate it when everyone is quiet during the breaks, it only increases the tension.

 

[LizzyM]

I was actually told specifically by an assistant dean (back when) not to bring or send copies/reprints of published papers, but just to make sure they were listed on the application (or update letters). So I personally wouldn't bring them. Interviews are frequently better without props anyhow, IMHO.

Schools vary then in whether they like/want them or not. Bring them, offer them, the school can always say "no, thanks anyway".

 

[juiceman311]

aside from the clothes that ive worn to my interviews, ive had my car keys with me, and a pen (that i have never used).

 

[hrusky17]

I bring my cell phone and car keys. is there something different about texas schools? seems like everyone is worrying a little too much but i guess that is the premise of this forum.

 

[americanangel]

So I was wondering this same thing before I interviewed. I decided all I would need was my purse (keys, wallet, etc) But I forgot to bring a pen. So when they told us who and where we would be interviewing, I had to ask for a pen...No big deal, I still got in....I really don't think what you bring with you matters as for if you get in or not! Don't put too much emphasis on it!

 

[etf]

for dudes:


1) Right at the start of the day, find the attractive ladies in your interview group (and lots of you ladies at my interviews have been HOTT) and talk to them and crack small jokes. I found that having conversations like this before/during the tour and before the interview gets the jitters out of my system, and I was able to be completely at ease when talking to strangers for 30-40 minutes in the interview. Trust me, it works!

at one of my interviews i was the second person to show up - the first being this other girl. anyway, as i signed in, i noticed her name above mine, so then when i walked in to the waiting room i looked at her and called her name. she totally thought i was her interviewer, and i decided to play along. I was like - hey, i'm x, so how do you like the school so far. she totally went off on some like memorized speech, at which point i felt bad and said "relax, i'm just a fellow interviewee." she started laughing after and we had a decent convo. anyway, just one of many ways i broke the ice...

 

[etf]

oh, saying "this other girl" implies that i am a female. i am not.