<p>I feel a little silly for asking this, but since I've never had an official interview before, I think it's forgivable to ask this simple question. My Duke interview is coming up next Monday and I am wondering how I should dress for it. I've heard of the "no jeans and sweaters" rule, but then, exactly how formal should it be? I actually know the alumni (not closely, but I met him three times at a local college fair and he remembers who I am:)). He is a friendly and easy-going guy and told me on the phone, "Don't worry, it won't be too formal." Maybe it's my lack of going to social occasions, but I don't have anything more formal than khakis. Will that be okay paired with a nice shirt? I'm willing to go out and buy something this weekend, considering I will have many more interviews in the future.</p>
<p>My interviewer last year told me it was casual dress. I wouldn't go all out with suits and business attire and such but, on the other hand, don't look too casual with jeans and t-shirts, especially not the ripped ones.</p>
<p>I'd say, for guys nice khakis and a polo or dress shirt and loafers would be enough. Tie is optional. </p>
<p>For girls, I'm speculating since I'm not a girl, that a nice blouse and skirt and a jacket would do fine. That's what my friend wore to her interview last year.</p>
<p>I wore a RL button-up shirt w/ a skinny belt cinched at the waist + nice dress slacks + pointy-toe kitten heel slingbacks...try to look nice, but not 35 years old.</p>
<p>I ask my daughter not to show her tummy, no sneakers, hair off her face, little makeup & jewelry (less is more). She has worn sweater, simple skirt and flats. For a guy, a collar shirt, blue or khaki pants (not jeans) and loafers would be appropriate. Shirt is best to be tucked in. Jacket and tie would be over doing it. I also wouldn't wear anything too tight, especially for girls. One thing I always remind my daughter is to keep her legs crossed when she is wearing a skirt.:)</p>
<p>my duke interview way back when was the most chill out of all of my college interviews. to make my life easy, he volunteered to meet me in a school conference room during my lunch break. as a result, it was my most casual dress. i'd say for my other interviews, i wore a pair of black pointy toed shoes and either slacks or black bootcut cords with a nice thin sweater or skinny dress shirt or something. i personally never wore skirts, since other than the school one and an interview in the guy's office (ugh what an a-hole that man was for gtown), they were all sitting around the interviewer's houses.</p>
<p>I had mine recently and it was VERY informal- casual dress for me and my interviewer wore khaki's and a polo. No hard questions and just a regular conversation.</p>
<p>thanks for all the replies:) i have another question: did you guys bring a resume to your interview?</p>
<p>I am an alumnus who does interviews, so let me chime in with my experiences. Dress may vary from region to region, but in my area (Houston), the students have been fairly informal. Jeans (not the ragged, saggy kind) are okay in my mind, if paired with a nice shirt (polo-style knit or button-down for guys) or sweater. I agree with the posters that say nothing tight, revealing, or inappropriate, and don't wear t-shirts. However, definitely you don't need a tie or dressy outfit, and don't go buy anything for the occasion. Be yourself and be relaxed. As for resumes, I like having one for my reference if the student wants to bring me a copy. However, I generally don't really look at it much until after the interview. I try to concentrate the interview on what the application might not already show, and I would prefer to highlight things that aren't in the resume', since the admissions office will see all that stuff with the application.</p>
<p>My interviewer actually told me over the phone that the interview was casual and to just wear jeans or whatever. I don't know if this was the standard or just my interviewer, but I would figure that khakis and a nice shirt would definitely work.</p>
<p>S1's interviewer told him it was casual, but he wore khakis and a button-down oxford cloth shirt and loafers. Must have worked--he's a sophmore at Duke!</p>
<p>I wore jeans and a Polo button up shirt tucked in with Sperry's. I don't think it is advisable to bring a copy of your resume as the purpose of the interview is just to answer your questions about Duke and have a couple things asked of you.</p>
<p>I had a Duke interview at a Starbucks. My interviewer wore jeans and I wore "dressy casual."
I did not take a resume.
I got the usual questions (Tell me about yourself, What do you like to do for fun, What classes are you taking) and I felt that I could have been much better prepared for them. Make sure not to talk too fast, or to say "like" too often, or to run out of questions to ask the interviewer.</p>
<p>I have my interview tomorrow! Kind of nervous...not about what to say, but rather that I get tongue-tied and become unable to express my thoughts. I think I will take a resume just to help the interview see specific things I refer to. Oh yeah, I decided to wear black pants with red sweater and a white-collared shirt underneath. Thanks for all the replies again, everyone^^ Hehe, wish me luck.</p>
<p>A resume may be helpful in that regard, although the purpose of the interview is not to tell this person about all your specific activities and awards.</p>