What to expect in a pre-interview or post-interview social/dinner?

[Grace2014]

So...I understand that these pre-interview or post-interview socials/dinners are part of the official interview process. My question is, what exactly are you expected to do in terms of presenting yourself? I tried searching this question on the forum as well as on google, and have not gotten a satisfactory answer.

Could someone who had gone through it give some insight?

(1) What is the dress code?
(2) How are you expected to socialize with the students? Are you supposed to talk about your research interest or should you avoid being too academic?

I am a pretty nerdy and slow-to-warm-up type of person who usually do better in professional presentations rather than casual contacts. This is making me a bit nervous!

Any insight?

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[cara susanna]

Ours is super informal. Applicants can wear jeans. You are expected to socialize and not just about research. People want to see what you're like outside of school, I think.

 

[Grace2014]

Thank you Cara! It's good to know that we can wear jeans. Although I did hear about at least business casual attire

 

[QAsPsych]

That is going to be school dependent. I attended an interview last week where jeans would have been very out of place at the informal gathering (I was warned in advance by a grad student not to wear them). I imagine this is partly something where the school's location would be a factor.



I found current students and faculty were easy going and wanted to talk about a range of topics. Even when research was discussed, it was not in much depth.

 

[empathiosis]

My program has a student-run pot luck the night before the interview. It's at someone's house and is always very informal. I've been to several and I have no memory of what people wore and it didn't really seem to matter to anyone. It was intended to put applicants at ease about interviews, help us to get to know them better and vice versa.

 

[Grace2014]

Thank you guys! I guess you are all right, I'm a bit overthinking this. It's good to get some feedback from you all though!

 

[Member1928]

Our program always had a post-interview party with the graduate students. The department usually kicked in for a pony keg and some snacks. Depending on who showed up, this party could get a little wild. Always drink less than the graduate students in these settings, but other than that, be yourself. Remember you are also getting a glimpse at what things in the program may be like. In addition to talking about current events and non-psychology interests, use it as an opportunity to ask about the frequency with which graduate students socialize, the kinds of social events the department sponsors, and whether or not the graduate students hang out with graduate students from other departments. Also, keep in mind that the social nature of the graduate students in a given department can change from cohort to cohort. In other words, if the graduate students are a bunch of prudes, stoners, or in the case of my department, a bunch of binge drinkers, it doesn't necessarily mean that things will be that way in the years to come (i.e., don't judge a program too much by the behavior of the graduate students).

 

[Grace2014]

Thanks Member1928, these are some good advices, I didn't know that alcohol could even be involved in these.

I was also warned that business casual is always the safest

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks Member1928, these are some good advices, I didn't know that alcohol could even be involved in these.

I was also warned that business casual is always the safest

It's going to depend on the program whether or not alcohol is involved. If it's an official event, then that might be discouraged (or at least discouraged with respect to the school/faculty providing the alcohol). Regardless, I definitely agree with Member1928 that the "personality" of grad students can change significantly from cohort to cohort. If there is alcohol, as was mentioned, just be yourself and, if you do drink, don't get black-out drunk.

As for attire, business casual fits pretty much anywhere, but if you're curious, you could probably just ask current students.

 

[PsychPhDone]

As others have said, it varies by program. Most of the social events I went to were casual and did at least offer alcohol. If you're staying with a student, I'd ask them what they'd suggest you wear (bring a "nice jeans" and a "business casual" outfit). If there's a student organizing the day, you could also ask them. 🙂

Keep in mind that in addition to socializing with grad students, you'll probably also be socializing with other prospective applicants.

 

[cara susanna]

Our party is always pretty wild (especially because it takes place after Match day so the future interns tend to celebrate a lot 😉). It's definitely okay for applicants to drink, but I usually suggest only having one or two.

 

[WisNeuro]

Business casual.

Also, just a bit of advice based on actual events. If you are an applicant, DO NOT get drunk at the pre-interview dinner and inappropriately hit on students in the program. That took one of our applicants (who looked very good on paper) out of the running completely.

Bottom line, be yourself, and loosen up so that people can actually see your personality. However, if that personality is Axis II disordered, disregard that information and be anything but yourself.

 

[Grace2014]

Thanks everybody for your advice! I think now I got some idea of what these social events are like. For one school, I was informed that there is a dinner followed by a "greet and meet" and it was mentioned that alcohol is involved.

One question though, is it a penalty NOT to have drinks? I don't usually drink so not sure if I should drink for the sake of the interview.

 

[cara susanna]

Nope, a lot of applicants don't feel comfortable drinking in that situation and even the most alcohol-friendly programs understand that.

 

[Grace2014]

Nope, a lot of applicants don't feel comfortable drinking in that situation and even the most alcohol-friendly programs understand that.

thank you Cara, good to know!! I was worried that I might appear to be "unsociable" for not joining to drink

 

[FionaGoode]

For my program, you are expected to dress nicely (black/grey/khaki pants) with a nice top (e.g., blouse, button-up etc). No need for a suit. We also don't expect you to cook or anything.