women's interview attire

[waterlily]

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I'm trying to buy my interview attire, and I'm wondering if I should get a coat to go with my suit also, since I know it will be freezing on the east coast in winter. As of right now, I own a beige peacoat. However, since I bought a black skirt suit, I don't think the beige would match. Do you think it's okay and I should just wear whatever jacket I have, or should I buy a black coat? If I should buy a matching black coat, do you think a peacoat or a trenchcoat would go better with a skirt? For people who went on interviews before, what did all other girls wear for coats? I know these are anal questions but 1) I'm a girl, selecting the *right* clothes for any occasion is important to me and 2) I'm a pre-med, whatcha expect? 😀 Seriously though, any help is much appreciated, thanks!

 

[diosa428]

Yeah I'm also kind of wondering if girls are going with skirts over pants (my mom insists that to look like a professional WOMAN I should buy a skirt) and if the typical interview attire is black (which my mom thinks is "too severe").

 

[musicman1991]

blending in is the key. you don't want to stand out with clothes. i've seen some women (and guys) choose crazy colored suits.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Yeah I'm also kind of wondering if girls are going with skirts over pants (my mom insists that to look like a professional WOMAN I should buy a skirt) and if the typical interview attire is black (which my mom thinks is "too severe").

i have that question too, about skirt vs. pants. i think i'll probably pick pants because of the cold factor and because it will make me look like more of a mobster, which is really the look i'm trying to get at. but my question is, did most other female applicants you saw while interviewing wear skirts? or pants? or shorts? HAHA just kidding about the last one.

 

[tigress]

I have to find a suit. ugh, I hate shopping. I'm getting a skirt suit, but only because I only wear skirts ever. Actually it has to be a long skirt, which makes it hard for me to find anything. So I'll go with whatever I can find, but I think my goal is a brown suit. Conservative but not blah like black. OTOH, I do have a really nice black suit jacket and no skirt that matches, so I might look for something to go with that.

As far as coats, I just plan on wearing whatever I have. I do have a nice black coat, though. I think you can get away with whatever you already have. This process is expensive enough as it is. And besides, you take off your coat when you're inside anyway.

ugh, and shoes! I really do hate shopping. Who wants to be my personal interview shopper? 😛

 

[allelicia]

What happens if you have to carry your coat around all day? Knowing my luck, that is exactly what is going to happen to me. Then I will feel weird with this coat all day.

I'm just going to hope to have all my interviews early fall. I can definitely pull the "I didn't think it was cold enough for a coat yet."

And skirt vs pant, definitely didn't think about that at all....

 

[radioh3ad]

this is where it's easier to be a male applicant i guess. play it conservative and clean. no heavy makeup. NO perfume.

 

[surgeonguy22]

this is where it's easier to be a male applicant i guess.

Too bad it doesn't even matter what you wear. I really wish I was a female applicant, because they obviously have an advantage. Two equally qualified candidates, male and female, I guarantee you, the female will win.

For the males, wear a suit, for the females, wear a skirt and blouse. Why is this topic even here other than show how ******ed the OP is?[/.

 

[prana_md]

surgeonguy

I hope 22 is your age, because it gives me hope that you'll grow out of it. Until then, I'll be the badass 30-year-old in a stylie suit. Pants.

tigress -- JCrew and Banana Republic both have suits that are nice, relatively affordable, and don't look like you're going to a funeral. Shop online -- that way you can get around the smarmy salespeople

OP: the pea coat is fine. I interviewed last year, and I think you pretty much get a free ride on your outerware. You take it off at the door, and they know we're all students.

 

[tigress]

Too bad it doesn't even matter what you wear. I really wish I was a female applicant, because they obviously have an advantage. Two equally qualified candidates, male and female, I guarantee you, the female will win.

For the males, wear a suit, for the females, wear a skirt and blouse. Why is this topic even here other than show how ******ed the OP is?[/.

I think that poster in another thread was right: surgeonguy really does want a sex change.

 

[prana_md]

no thanks. the boys can have him

 

[tigress]

surgeonguy

I hope 22 is your age, because it gives me hope that you'll grow out of it. Until then, I'll be the badass 30-year-old in a stylie suit. Pants.

tigress -- JCrew and Banana Republic both have suits that are nice, relatively affordable, and don't look like you're going to a funeral. Shop online -- that way you can get around the smarmy salespeople

Oh yeah, I've gotten some good things from JCrew. I've never found much at Banana Republic but I haven't looked lately. I do prefer to shop online, but I always worry that I won't look good in whatever I buy. I guess that's more of an issue with suits and things. Blouses or shirts I'll buy online. Of course I rarely buy clothes at all. I actually need to do some shopping for work, because I can't keep wearing the same things over and over every week. And "business casual" still makes no sense to me after a month at work!

 

[radioh3ad]

buy maxstudio! my gf works there during the summers 🙂

 

[Arrowhead]

Now, let's talk about hair!

For girls with long/medium length hair, should we leave it down, put it half up, or all up like a bun?

Any thoughts/experiences? 🙂

 

[45408]

I would recommend plunging necklines for anyone interviewing at the same school(s) that I might be interviewing at.

 

[canndilannd]

Ladies, when I went to interview, the predominant color was black/navy blue. Blouse color varied more, mostly white. Saw probably an equal number of skirts and pants, though you may want to rethink the skirt if you go during the winter. Mostly saw black coats also. If you are indoors, they’ll probably have a closet for you to hang your coat up in, or else you can leave it in the room they hold you in while you take the tour and do other stuff. Hair (were you serious?) I saw up and down, but be sure to pin it back from your face. Be sure to wear comfy shoes! Tours can be long, you may be climbing up and down stairs, traipsing in the rain, or trekking through snow laden streets.

I remember being worried about stuff like this too in the beginning. After a couple interviews you won't even remember what the big deal was! Relax, and don't stress too much about this part. Good luck!

 

[JayQuah]

I would recommend plunging necklines for anyone interviewing at the same school(s) that I might be interviewing at.

 

[tank you]

Now, let's talk about hair!

For girls with long/medium length hair, should we leave it down, put it half up, or all up like a bun?

Any thoughts/experiences? 🙂

you're not going for an interview to be a nanny, keep it down of course.

 

[mustangsally65]

There was a big thread from last year about women's interview clothing, hair, makeup, shoes etc. I haven't looked for it lately, and it'll be harder to find than usual with the search down.

But it's probably back about 75 pages or so, I'd say. maybe when I get home today I'll do some searching if no one else has been able to find it.

 

[ShyRem]

If the search function was working there was a HUGE thread on this last year...

 

[medicomel]

After receiving admissions counseling from a school here in Chicago, I was invited to tour with the interviewees one day in December. It was a great opportunity to see what the other women were wearing. Like the other posters have said, there were equal numbers of skirts and pants, and nobody really gave a flip about coats. In Chicago, donning a big nanook from the north coat comes out of necessity rather than style. I also saw interviewees carrying around their bookbags, which obviously didn't match their professional attire.

Personally, I prefer pants over skirts. I always have, and I have no problem wearing pants for the interview. If AdComs are going to judge me based on the fact that I prefer to keep my calves under wraps, then see ya! But I seriously doubt that would happen. Honestly, nobody will care so long as you look and act professional. And the way they're designing suits these days with bust darts, less-masculine-more feminine-shaping, and shorter coats, you can look very feminine.

 

[nutmeg1445]

I had job interviews about 2 years ago and bought a nice, relatively less expensive, and feminine looking suit from Express. Although the Express of two years ago is a lot different than today. Although it is worth a look. I also have fairly long hair and left it down for the interviews. Occasionally I would even try to look more professional by wearing my glasses. 😛

Watch out with the black if you are going to interview at a school with snow. I go to school in Milwaukee and had to walk a few blocks to the interviews. By the time I got to one of them, I had white salt spots all up and down my black pants. That was actually the interview where I got the job, so I'm sure that they understand. Medical schools probably won't be much different in that respect.

 

[aprilshyla]

just keep this in mind: med school adcom = usually ultra conservative. that means you want something as absolutely traditional as possible. i think a knee-length skirt is preferable but pants are passable. and if you have long hair, put it up in a bun, it is much more professional-looking. the medical profession is one that does not take women with long hair seriously 🙄 . last year at interivews, you could almost feel everyone taking a collective eyeroll at the girl who walked in with stilettos, long flowing hair, bright lipstick, and a suit that obviously came from the juniors section.

 

[Thundrstorm]

I'm hoping to find a nice suit with both a skirt and pants option. I think I'll be grateful for the pants if I get any Chicago or Boston interviews. I hope I don't interview in Boston in January, when it'll be -20 with snow up the wazoo and I won't be able to wear comfy boots like I did as a student. My major concern right now is shoes. I tend to have bad luck with shoes. If they're gorgeous, they pinch. If they're comfy, they make loud clicking noises. If they're silent AND comfy, they're hideous.

As for hair, I personally will either wear it half up/half down or all up. My hair is wild and curly and I can't possibly look professional with it down.

I just hope I don't get any intervies until October, b/c I can't afford a suit until then. 🙄

 

[medicomel]

What would adcoms think of short hair?

 

[pagemmapants]

Here's my plan:

Ann Taylor triacetate suit; 3 button jacket + pants, in solid black. ($200 + $180)
Express Design Studio shirt; grey/blue pinstriped or one of various solid colors.
Black pumps; low heel.
Nude knee socks.
Long hair wrapped into bun at nape of neck.
Contact lenses rather than glasses.
If really cold? Conservative leather jacket.

 

[medicomel]

Here's my plan:

Ann Taylor triacetate suit; 3 button jacket + pants, in solid black. ($200 + $180)
Express Design Studio shirt; grey/blue pinstriped or one of various solid colors.
Black pumps; low heel.
Nude knee socks.
Long hair wrapped into bun at nape of neck.
Contact lenses rather than glasses.
If really cold? Conservative leather jacket.

jeez, with those stats, you could get away with wearing a burlap bag! 😉
i'm like you with the outfit, save for the glasses.

 

[pagemmapants]

I would recommend plunging necklines for anyone interviewing at the same school(s) that I might be interviewing at.

As much as the twins might help me out getting discounts for computer repairs and such, I think this is one situation where I'd prefer them to be in hiding.

A for effort, though! 😉

 

[ShyRem]

For y'all that are broke (like me), try ebay for suits. I got 7 VERY nice, classic, all wool, fully lined, name brand suits, gently used - and the most expensive one was $22. The cheapest was $5. Most of the time they give measurements, and you can always get them altered for a perfect fit (you're probably going to have to get a new suit altered too, so no extra cost here).

Everything from pants suits to long skirts/short jacket, long skirt/long jacket, fitted, boxy, etc. The shirts I bought were more expensive than the suits!

 

[pagemmapants]

jeez, with those stats, you could get away with wearing a burlap bag! 😉
i'm like you with the outfit, save for the glasses.

That reminds me of an episode of "America's Next Top Model" where they made them actually catwalk wearing a burlap sack. . . I almost died laughing.

Erm. I mean "I read Grey's Anatomy last night cover to cover" . . . I'm a nerd. Really! . . . damn.

🙂 Thanks for the compliment. I would wear my glasses but they're thick black plastic emo-style ones and I don't think the ADCOMs would appreciate the irony.

 

[myodana]

wear what looks good on you. it doesn't have to be black... as long as you look neat, put together, clean, and feel comfortable in what you're wearing. if you are interviewing in cold places like NYC in january, you might want to have pants, plus a decent looking coat, and for sure, nice but comfortable shoes. i ended up with a suit from ann taylor. they know how to make suits. if you want to save some money, you might try places like loehmanns or century 21.

 

[SpeedRacer]

it seems like there are as many guys looking at this thread as girls

 

[SuzieQ3417]

If the search function was working there was a HUGE thread on this last year...

I was tackling this same question, and after doing a yahoo search actually stumbled upon a thread from 2003, so I will post so everyone can enjoy the advice. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?threadid=83572

I went shopping last weekend and bought two suits. I ended up going to Dillards where they were having a great sale, and managed to find a suit that was age appropriate (its hard to find suits that aren't grandmotherly), and it only cost $70. It had a jacket with skirt, and I didn't have any luck finding pants to go with it. I ended up going to express also, and getting matching pants and a jacket (for the colder days). I did not buy a black suit, because I have blonde hair and fair skin, so solid black is not a good look. The pants suit I got is dark grey, and the skirt suit is black buy with subtle white and blue pin stripes. Very cute, but still professional. Now I just have to find some comfortable shoes, and am afraid at how much I will end up shelling out for those. My plan was to buy things that I know I will wear for other ocassions. I'm not made of money, so it needs to last, you know?

 

[ShyRem]

Found it. This had links to all sorts of stuff... so even though it's VERY long it was worth the reading.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=134884

 

[LJDHC05]

[in sketchy old man voice]
I'm more than willing to...er..."inspect" outfits if you're willing to send me pictures of you in them.... 😉

 

[Turkeyman]

it seems like there are as many guys looking at this thread as girls

Mushaha *watches from dark corner*

 

[radioh3ad]

the estrogen flows deep in thar hills

 

[scrubsRcomfy]

for those of you applying to the east coast, investing in a nice wool jacket is worth it!

what my momma always told me:
1. don't wear black to an interview- navy blue and gray are best.
2. if you wear a skirt to an interview, it should be no more than 1 inch above the knee
3. pantyhose, pantyhose, pantyhose!
4. shine your shoes-- it shows attention to detail.
5. keep hair away from your face- don't hide behind a curtain.
6. mascara and lip gloss ONLY (i think momma should have added eyeliner)
7. keep pleats and creases sharp as a knife
8. a strong handshake makes a strong impression
9. you're a pretty girl, so smile 🙂

good luck to everyone!

 

[ubcredfox]

Can't really take my mind off that last post a few posts back - stilletos, long flowing hair, and a suit from the juniors section...yup...now that would be a fun interview 🙂

Why wear anything at all? If you go nude, they'll definetly know you have the self-confidence to be whatever doctor you want to be!

I'm thinking of a kilt with bowtie. Nothing else.

And now, onto more serious posts 😉

-UBCredfox

 

[musiclink213]

As for me, I am going to go with a pantsuit, since knee length skirts make me look like a librarian. I also don't like the way they make my calves look, they're too big from running and skating, so it looks weird. I don't know, I like pants better. But I need to buy a suit first, and then I'll let you know what it looks like. Probably won't be black though, not a big fan of black. Maybe hot pink....

 

[SuzieQ3417]

So I thought the ladies on SDN would appreciate my find....I went to the mall today looking for a comfortable, but attractive pair of black shoes to wear to interviews. I was preparing myself to spend a considerable sum of money, because it has been my experience that when shopping for anything with heels, comfort comes at a price. I ended up finding a pair for $8!!! 😱 It was marked down even more than what the store had posted. And to make it even better, the grand state of MO decided that this weekend was tax free. I couldn't believe how lucky I was, so I decided that for that price, I might as well buy a nice black purse to complete the look. 🙂

Also, I have read through some of the interview attire threads from past years, but wondered what everyone thought about this topic this year. Is anyone going to bring a leather portfolio/folder to store papers, or are you just going to rely on the folders med schools provide (assuming they provide folders)?

 

[SeptemberStar]

I have read the old thread as well. There are a lot of good ideas there. But, can someone post a pic or link to a pic of what a good laptop case/folder holder looks like? Thank you in advance!

 

[SpeedRacer]

i hate this thread, it's stressing me out. i don't want to go to interviews, i just want to sit in a ball in the corner of my room and cry 🙁

 

[caroladybelle]

Try an upscale consignment store for suits and especially for a good coat. I got a lovely quality dark wool Kenzo suit for interviews, for about $30.00.

Or if in an area that has a Sym's, there are generally some good Italian wool suits (with the pants, skirt and jacket) for $30 - $70 new. I got a lovely grey Dolce and Gabbana suit from Sym's in Manhattan (near Wall Street) for about $129 new. Ocasionally Filene's Basement (in Manhattan, not the Boston store) has nice things but usually not of the ilk for a med school interview. Fab discounted designer shoe section though.

 

[waterlily]

Shoes are definitely important. So I bought a pair of "comfortable" pumps (so it claims). Even though I got my size, I think it might have been a lil too big b/c I had to wear formal interview attire for my LOR committee interview, and when I got back to my apartment afterwards, my toe was bleeding from the shoes! So word to the wise, walk around in your shoes before your interview to make sure they're okay! when I tried mine on at the store, it felt completely fine and comfortable.

 

[SuzieQ3417]

Shoes are definitely important. So I bought a pair of "comfortable" pumps (so it claims). Even though I got my size, I think it might have been a lil too big b/c I had to wear formal interview attire for my LOR committee interview, and when I got back to my apartment afterwards, my toe was bleeding from the shoes! So word to the wise, walk around in your shoes before your interview to make sure they're okay! when I tried mine on at the store, it felt completely fine and comfortable.

Good advice. I should probably start breaking in my shoes, now. I wish I had an excuse to wear them somewhere, because I feel like an idiot walking around my apartment wearing dress shoes. 🙂

 

[SpeedRacer]

Good advice. I should probably start breaking in my shoes, now. I wish I had an excuse to wear them somewhere, because I feel like an idiot walking around my apartment wearing dress shoes. 🙂

are you all getting suits/shoes etc. once you're getting interview invites, or just buying stuff in anticipation of the interview season?

 

[gujuDoc]

are you all getting suits/shoes etc. once you're getting interview invites, or just buying stuff in anticipation of the interview season?

I'd buy it in anticipation of the season, just so you have it. But I know of a few friends who bought their suits literally days before their interview.

Personally, I like Express but a lot of other people tell me they don't like the quality of Express.

The Limited also has nice women's suits.

MaxStudio I've heard good things about as well.

And believe it or not, Casual Corner or Petite Sophisticate is not a bad idea either.

Actually, if you are talking online shopping, Nordstrom always has all sorts of sales online as so does Banana Republic, so you'll possibly find something cheaper buying online from them, then going into the actual store.

Department stores sometimes have good suits too, like Dillards and Macy's.

 

[gujuDoc]

For color of suit, I'd stick with either Gray, Black, Navy Blue, or Off White.

Those are the most professional colors. I wouldn't do pastels or something crazy like a pink suit.

For hair, It depends on how you look. Whenever I eventually get to that stage, I'll be straightening my hair and leaving it down.

But it is hard to judge without a picture of you or what you are wearing.

 

[SuzieQ3417]

are you all getting suits/shoes etc. once you're getting interview invites, or just buying stuff in anticipation of the interview season?

I bought in anticipation, but I have to do a pre-med committee interview at my school also, which is guaranteed. I figured if I waited until I got invited for an interview classes would be in session and I wouldn't have much time to find anything. By getting it done now I have more time to shop and can be a little more selective, especially when it comes to finding bargains.