<p>How fancy are you supposed to dress? My interviewer didn't say anything about it....</p>
<p>A Dress?
A Skirt?
Dress Pants?
Khakis?</p>
<p>:-/</p>
<p>When in doubt, overdress. Suits are standard for most interviews. Be conservative -- look like you want to be accepted, but be comfortable.</p>
<p>I've heard this SO many times, and from asking friends who interviewed in the past and my own interviewers this year, the consensus I got is:
CASUAL, nice. If you need khaki to look nice fine, if you can pull off denim, go for it.</p>
<p>I don't agree that suits are standard from interviews. This is for college, not a job. In the workplace, you will be expected to dress more formally in many instances (or maybe every day) while this may be rare during class at college. I've had three interviews so far (one woman, two men) and none of them has been dressed even semi-formal (i.e., suit or tie or dress or pant suit for women). </p>
<p>If you are a girl, you have a variety of ways to dress up: heels, blouses, sweaters, khaki capris, whatever - just anything above spaghetti strap tanks with flip flops. Hell, my girlfriend manages to look classy and hot dressed in that hobo/chic/80s throwback type of clothing that is popular no when we go to nice restaurants.</p>
<p>If you are a guy, khakis and a polo are the go to, and a tie is not the norm for college interviews. As a general rule, it is OK to overdress as opposed to under dressing, but confidence is important for interviews, and if you feel dorky in a tie at Starbucks it is possible that you might look or act dorky too. Jeans can work if they are darker wash and have no holes. Anyway, your interviewer will remember your top more than bottom since you will be sitting down, possibly with a table between the two of you.</p>
<p>Also, I would find it lame to ask an interviewer what I should wear - I am an adult after all. But, that is totally a personal preference - if you need to do this to calm your nerves go right ahead.</p>
<p>Women: skirt or nice pants, blouse, possibly a blazer/jacket, but a sweater or nothing is fine too</p>
<p>Men: khakis or other tidy looking pants, polo or button up shirt, blazer or sweater optional, no tie</p>
<p>Shoes - nice is fine, but I'm pretty sure my son wore sneakers to his interviews. (His are very plain.)</p>
<p>If you have eyebrow or tongue studs I'd leave them out.</p>
<p>Unless you expect your interview to be very formal, do not dress formal.</p>
<p>I would suggest looking at your normal clothes/outfits you wear for school. Pick the nicest, cleanest looking outfit from that bunch and wear that. Since you wear these clothes often, you will feel much more comfortable in them and be able to perform better in your interview.</p>
<p>If your interview is right after/during school, like mine was, I would definitely try to avoid looking very formal. Look comfortable in what you are wearing, rather than as if your mom forced you to wear it.</p>
<p>All in all, your body language and how you present yourself will be much more important than what you are wearing. Instead of focusing on what you think your interviewer will want to see, focus on what will make you feel comfortable and, most importantly, like yourself.</p>
<p>I agree with the 'no-suit necessary' approach. For guys, khakis and a button-down are fine (be careful with jeans, as sometimes the interview location will have a no-denim policy). It's not a med-school interview we're talking about here; many kids in HS don't even own a suit and Harvard sure as heck wouldn't want them to go out and buy one just for the interviews.</p>
<p>Mine told me to come in school clothes.</p>
<p>I'd say take the cue from the place where you'll meet the interviewer.</p>
<p>Mine said dress casually. he seemed pretty laid back about the whole thing... which a good thing, I guess because I certainly am not! :/</p>
<p>Harvard Club of San Francisco told me to dress informally.</p>