<p>Look, I'm not the one freaking out over here. My dad is sort of carping on me how I should show respect to the person taking his time to interview me. I understand this (maybe I need to understand it better) but it seems to me that I shouldn't be expected to wear a tie to, say, a coffee shop. I haven't heard back from my interview yet, so I'll have to still play the setting by ear. Guys, is the alum interview supposed to be this formal???</p>
<p>Jacket and tie would be called for if you happen to be going to his/her law office or some other locale such as that. If it were a coffee shop or library, a tie would not be necessary (I interview for one of H’s peer schools – I conduct almost all of mine at coffee houses – I tell them to dress casually)</p>
<p>^Agreed completely.</p>
<p>A jacket and tie would be fitting for a formal workplace. For a coffee shop, wear a buttoned down shirt and slacks.</p>
<p>^The setting determines the attire. Generally low key business casual without a tie is fine. My sons’ Harvard interviewer interviewed in his home and told both of them not to dress up. I believe he was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.</p>
<p>What would be the downside of adding a tie to that button-down and slacks? You could always make light of removing it if the interviewer is dressed down, but you can’t go the other way if you didn’t have it on.</p>
<p>^Certainly, one should dress up for an interview in any sort of professional office. I think it would be somewhat uncomfortable to be overdressed in a coffee shop, however.</p>