What to wear/bring to an interview?

[irish80122]

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I am actually posting this on behalf of a friend who is too afraid to come to the message boards due to all of the information on interviews on here (I think she is nuts). Anyways, here is her question.

She is planning on wearing a suit to her interview but her question is should she bring along a notebook, portfolio (leather-bound), anything like that? A notebook makes sense as she will probably be asked if she has any questions about the program and writing down their answers just simply makes sense (or she may have some notes on certain things). We just aren't sure if bringing a notebook is what she should do, or briefcase, or leather-bound portfolio, or what not. HELP!!!

 

[Psyclops]

I think she shouldn't worry about it too much, maybe a notebook just to have someting to hold. It's been my experience that interviews are always much more relaxed than we make them out to be in our head. She might want to write down all of the questions she plans on asking just in case she forgets them at game time, you know if she gets too nervous. I think it's also important to remember that the more time you spend asking questions the less time they have to ask you questions. Also, it doesn't hurt to ask the same questions over again to different people, especially different types of people (i.e., professors, grad students, etc.), this way you can test out how much the answers converge or diverge as the case may be. Personally I hate the leather portfolio things, I think they look stupid, but that's just me. Wish your friend good luck, tell her to relax and be herself, and ask lots of questions.

 

[lazure]

The notebook alone will not get her an acceptance - it's personal preference. But it would be a good idea to bring copies of your CV on nice paper and any publications to hand out if necessary. Also, bring your smile and brain 🙂
Read over your publications and statements of interest the night before so that the info is fresh in your mind....

 

[irish80122]

The notebook alone will not get her an acceptance - it's personal preference. But it would be a good idea to bring copies of your CV on nice paper and any publications to hand out if necessary. Also, bring your smile and brain 🙂
Read over your publications and statements of interest the night before so that the info is fresh in your mind....

We are at a top 20 institution where publications for undergrads are few and far between (though she is in line for one in the future from it). Are they usually understanding about the fact that you may not have had an opportunity due to the fact that you work under a graduate student? Just curious.

 

[Psyclops]

Publications for undergrads are still exceedingly rare, and as I understand it looked on quite highly if you do have one, but it doesn't hurt you if you don't. It would be ideal if she had a poster, but again, very very few undergrads even get this opportunity. If she has gotten the interview(s) that means her paper credentials are up to snuff, and the schools consider her to be a strong enough applicant to attend. Now the question is fit. Is she someone that the professor would like to collaborate with over the next 5 years? Is she going to be hard working? Will she be happy in the lab/school/program/town? Is she someone that the rest of the grad students will want to spend long hours with in the lab? Is she personable? Is she truly interested and motivated to do the type of research that the lab is doing?

On paper your girl is most likely indestinguishable from the rest of the candidates invited. She should feel confident of that fact, now she just needs to be herself and be charming, eager, and just confirm the committees feelings that she is going to be a superstar. She shouldn't worry now. She has passed the big hurdles, now is just about whether or not she fits better than the other candidates. It is likely that many of the interviewers won't ask questions regarding research or future plans, but may instead talk about restaurants or movies etc. But it is important that she be able to entusiatically talk about what she has been doing, on varying levels of detail. And remember, if something comes up that she doesn't know about the right answer is "Gosh, I don't know much about that, but I'm very interested."

Just be confident she'll do fine.

 

[HonieButterfly]

I am an undergrad... I brought a leather notebook with a few copies of my cv on my interviews. The notebook just had questions I would want to ask although I did not look at my notebook when asking the faculty questions. It was useful to look through when there were breaks. The cv I brought along was just incase I would speak to other faculty (not of interest) that may have just wanted to talk with me or something. I dont have any publications and that wasnt of any concern. Usually undergrads do not have any publications or maybe just one if there lucky. So I dont think its a big deal at all. They did want to see papers I wrote of scholarship such as my partial honor thesis which I am still working on and my mcnair paper on an indenependent project I did from the mcnair summer internship. Hope this helps =)

 

[lazure]

We are at a top 20 institution where publications for undergrads are few and far between (though she is in line for one in the future from it). Are they usually understanding about the fact that you may not have had an opportunity due to the fact that you work under a graduate student? Just curious.

Students who do not have publications do get into graduate school. But those who have conference presentations or better yet, a paper in press (doesn't have to be a fancy journal) are more likely to get in. Don't kid yourself that undergrads with publications are rare at grad school entry - they are the ones that are getting the scholarships. I strongly suggest finding RA positions where you have the opportunity to work directly with the faculty and where you can contribute to publications. Initiative counts....
Good luck with your application..

 

[Flutterbyu]

I interviewed last year and I bought a leather bound portfolio to carry a notebook, copies of my CV, and any other miscelaneous papers (i.e. directions to the interview site). Be sure to have some questions- it always looks good. I used the notebook to jot down questions I had throughout the day and any interesting stats I acquired as the day went on. I also used it to organize my thoughts right before the interview started. It helped to have something to carry papers in, as I picked up literature along the way. The most important thing is to try to relax, and even if there isn't much confidence, present with an air of confidence, but without sounding arrogant. DOn't stress over publications, they already know whether you have them and it is too late to change things now. They chose you to interview for a reason, which is an accomplishment in itself. Good luck!!