<p>I have an interview at Carleton this upcoming week. My mom thinks it's necessary for me to wear a nice sundress, something I don't yet have, whereas I think a pair of nice jeans and nice blouse will suffice. Any opinions or past experiences would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>A Sundress would be appropriate, but a blouse and a nice pair of slacks could also work.</p>
<p>I would say no to the jeans, they’re just too casual. But a nice dressy shirt with a nice pair of slacks/pants would work.</p>
<p>There have been a lot of threads on what to wear to an interview, they are mostly in the College Admissions forum, but SEARCH will turn them up. A sundress sounds kinda strange to me, many people don’t even wear them, including you I guess since you don’t have one–seems a little fussy to buy one just for that. I think what you normally wear for something a little bit nice would be good and the jeans and nice blouse are perfect. Wearing something that you are comfortable in is best, something that stands out isn’t necessary or desirable.</p>
<p>When she interviewed on campus with admissions officers my D wore either a skirt and shirt/sweater or dressy black jeans, nice boots and a blouse/sweater. (Her interviews were in the fall so you’d have to adjust for the weather) I"d stay away from blue jeans unless the interview is conducted by a student rather than an admissions officer.</p>
<p>Carleton is a pretty laid back school (we live in the area and are on campus fairly often for some high school events sponsered there). And my D was accepted last year, although will not be attending. Jeans and a nice shirt will be fine. Stressing out over new interview clothes is really not how you should spend your time – learning about the college and preparing a few good questions will go a lot further. However, I know parents can be very unreasonable about these things (I am one…). At some colleges (Ivies, some southern schools) you definitely would want to dress up more. But it won’t make much difference. If you have a casual skirt and top (nothing too skimpy), that would be fine too (might be a compromise over a whirlwind stress-filled shopping trip). Of course, if you WANT a new dress, it might be a good time to get mom to pay for one. :)</p>
<p>I would stay away from jeans. However, if you do not have/ do not like a sundress then do not wear it. Just wear slacks or a nice skirt.
Try to just look nice but overall comfortable. You do not want to be trying to hide the bra strap, pulling at your skirt down or thinking about pinchy shoes during your interview.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everybody! Due to the warm weather expected that day I have decided to wear the sundress because my only other option would be pants that would make the heat terrible- I’m from Seattle</p>
<p>I was in formal attire at Wellesley’s interview and the interviewer said I was the first to dress formally for interview… lol.</p>
<p>I would find out (1) Who is conducting the interview? At some schools it is an admissions counselor and at some schools it is a student and (2) is the interview informational or evaluative? At some schools the interview is to share information and demonstrate interest in the school while at other schools the interviewer evaluates your interview and that evaluation figures into the admission process. </p>
<p>In any event, wearing something nice without being too formal makes sense (sundress, skirt, nice pants all are fine). More importantly, be sure to prepare for the interview. If you have a resume, bring it with you because it helps when you have that as a starting point for conversation. Read up on the school, know why you like it, and have some good questions to ask. It is even OK to write some questions on an index card and bring it to the interview. Good luck</p>