<p>Well I am now down to just two days away from my interview!! On Friday I get to make a lasting impression to my Harvard Interviewer. This may sound trite but I am deciding on what to wear. My parents who are a little "old school" say to wear a skirt with a sweater,etc............I was thinking of khakis,a sweater and some decent shoes/boots. Any thoughts? I typically wear lots of khakis and jeans, but know jeans are a no no. Any ideas would be great.</p>
<p>Also I want to know how much one should express to the intereviewer that this is your top school, your #1 school of choice. I assume this the place to do it, right? Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>You know what - I was freaking out what to wear... but it's really not a big deal. If anything, you want them to be impressed by you, not by what you wear. And no, jeans are not a 'no no.' If you wear jeans and a sweater that's really fine. Dressing up is really great, but on the other hand, I know that a lot of expensive college counselors ENCOURAGE students to wear what they'd wear on a normal school day - to show personality and what not. </p>
<p>It depends a bit on the location of the interview. If it's at the local Starbucks you can be pretty casual, wear what you usually wear as long as it's neat and clean. If the interview is at an I-Bank in Manhattan I would recommend dressing up a bit, but not all the way to a suit. You are a high school student, after all, not an investment banker. It's also important to wear something you will be comfortable with, so you can concentrate on the conversation rather than your appearance.</p>
<p>Don't worry too much. In the Harvard admission process, interview is of minor importance. My cousin (harvard alumna) told me this.
I also have my Harvard interview this weekend. I will be wearing jeans because I feel more comfortable that way.</p>
<p>Check the Harvard board here for info as there is plenty of good info including in CC's archives.</p>
<p>Unless you wear something offensive like a T-shirt with a racist or sexist slogan, the alum interviewer will be far more interested in what you say than what you wear. </p>
<p>The Harvard interviews also do count. I know because I am a Harvard interviewer and have heard info about the importance of the interviews directly from the admissions officers and dean.</p>
<p>Whatever. But when you guys get out into the world of work...don't EVER show up for an interview in anything less than a business suit. Anything less shows that you don't have the sense god gave you to even get a small thing like dressing appropriately right.</p>
<p>There's a big difference between a 17 year-old interviewing with a college alumni interviewer and a 21+ year old interviewing for a job. Even so, the dress should always be appropriate to the situation. Wear a suit for most office jobs, that is fine advice. But there are other jobs out there where wearing a suit for an interview would be out of place.</p>
<p>I'd guess that the rich prep school types who apply to Harvard tend to wear expensive-looking preppy sportcoats with a white or blue shirt and a tie, with khakis. That is what I'd wear to a Harvard interview...I mean it's Harvard (not Bard or Reed)--show a little respect and show that you serious about your application. Better to be overdressed than underdressed.</p>
<p>Haha. IDK. but I completely think it depends on where the interview is.<br>
And since I'm the type of person to make up outfits 24/7, I'm making examples of what I'd wear whether you like it or not. </p>
<p>More Fancy Place:
--Just at knee length skirt (Black w/ white flower trim)
--Pumps (Black)
--Plain T-Shirt (white)
--Cardigan (Bright color)
--Coordinating Beaded Jewlery
This way, its a nicer outfit, but the cardigan color and jewlery add some style rather than being a cookie-cutter pumps, skirt, shirt thing. </p>
<p>Somewhat Nice place:
--Khakis
--Pumps (Black)
--Slim Fitted Turtleneck (Black)
--Pearl Earrings
--Printed scarf, tied like a headband
--coordinating wooden Bangles
Khakis and turtleneck and earrings are conservative, scarf and bangles show personality</p>
<p>Starbucks-esque
--DARK wash skinny jeans
--Either really nice flats, or pumps (black)
--Either a nice color sweater, or a white oxford with a bright colored belt
--pearls with the sweater, beaded jewlery with the oxford
Thats basically what I'd wear if I was going out to eat w/ friends</p>
<p>uh. yeah. I know that was extremely unneccesary, but, hey, thats what happens when you procrastinate. haha.</p>
<p>People shell out 24K to hear Katherine Cohen's advice (author of Rock Hard Apps, and one other book) - she says to wear what you usually do - or maybe a tiny step above. The goal of the interview is for you to demonstrate who you are. If you're a really artsy person or whatever, and choose to wear a suit, they may not show as much about you as if you wore something... well... artsy. The intervierer shouldn't be distracted, insulted, or anything by your clothing... it should just provde subtle hints as to who you are.</p>
<p>I had a second interview because they wanted more information. For both interviews I wore business casual. The first interview was at the interviewer's house. I just wore a nice sweater and tan slacks with nice shoes. The second was with a different interviewer at his office. Again I just wore a nice sweater and slacks. Neither seemed to really notice clothing, in the first case my interviewer was in sweats and the second a nice shirt and slacks. The care more about who you are, not how you dress! So just be natural and if you have a second interview, be ready to talk and describe your extracurriculars and current classes as well as questions like discuss your favorite books.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I'd guess that the rich prep school types who apply to Harvard tend to wear expensive-looking preppy sportcoats with a white or blue shirt and a tie, with khakis. That is what I'd wear to a Harvard interview...I mean it's Harvard (not Bard or Reed)<<</p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>I think the sport coat would be overdoing it. Business casual is the way to go. When we went for my daughter's on-campus interview at Princeton, there were two twin brothers dressed in identical blue blazer outfits. And compared to the rest of the kids they looked comical, as though they were dressed in costume --> Ivy League Man circa 1940.</p>
<p>Several years ago I went to an information session at Harvard with my middle D. In the middle of the front row there was a boy in a blazer and his mother was wearing - oh the horror - a puffy hairband. My D was so repulsed that she refused to even go on the tour. Go figure.</p>
<p>Last spring my S and I went to visit Haverford. On the campus tour there were a father and son in matching tan slacks and blue blazers. I almost imagined that they were both wearing straw boaters. They stuck out like sore thumbs, both in contrast to the students on campus and the other kids and parents on the tour.</p>
<p>My Harvard Interview is in a Starbucks with an alumni from Harvard Business School who is the co-owner of a marketing company and was President of KnowledgePoints and VP at two other companies. </p>
<p>If you want to look more casual, wear the fist one with jeans. But I like the second outfit a lot! Just see how much taller you look in the skirt. It’s a very cute outfit.</p>
<p>you guys worry way to much. just wear clothes, everything will be fine. i have my harvard interview friday but I’m not thinking about clothing until the hour before i leave haha</p>
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