<p>Maybe a dumb question but......is the recommended dress code a suit or is a navy blazer and dress slacks acceptable?</p>
<p>At the two interviews I had, all the guys were in suits except three in blazers and one with no jacket. They stood out. And the guy with no jacket looked VERY unprofessional.</p>
<p>Whether the fact that those in blazers stood out matters is probably debatable (I'm very, very fashion conscious - so I tend to notice that sort of stuff), but it's safer to go with suit. Be sure to make smart choices with ties too. That's just good advice for all interviews. It's never going to be a negative to be conservatively dressed. That means a dark suit - black, navy, charcoal. Med schools don't ever interview in the summer, but if they did, they wouldn't be the occasion to bust out the seersucker or even a nice lightly colored summer suit either. </p>
<p>Med schools are judging candidates on a myriad of things in the interview. One of my interviews coincided with a huge ice storm, one that the weather forecasters knew was coming three days beforehand. My interview was the day after the storm hit. The school sent out e-mails to everyone who was interviewing both on my day and the day before (which they ended up canceling completely) to say "if it's too dangerous, please don't come, we'll reschedule, it won't be held against you, it's more important that your safe, etc, etc". The next day the Dean of Admissions, as part of her welcoming speech told us how many people had sent her e-mails back saying "I'll be there no matter what!" and she didn't know how to deal with them because one of the criteria they looked for was use of sound judgment. So keep in mind that everything surrounding the interview is being judged.</p>
<p>I've been to 4 interviews so far, and not a single guy has been in something other than a suit. Everyone I've talked to has preached conservatism, conservatism, conservatism, meaning dark suit as mentioned, blue or white shirt, and a tie that doesn't have any sort of strange theme to it and of course does not clash horribly with your suit (have seen a few pinstriped suit/horizontally striped ties on the interviews <em>shudder</em>).</p>
<p>Navy blue or charcoal suit </p>
<p>Nice shoes</p>
<p>Nice tie (I've seen a lot of red power ties but I go with blue myself)</p>
<p>Blue or white shirt</p>
<p>What about for a meeting with a PI? I’m thinking of khakis and just a polo (is full button down necessary? are khakis even necessary? I feel I’m over-thinking this). </p>
<p>Another question: does whether the polo is tucked in matter/stand out? Tucked in, I look goofy & awkward; not tucked in, I look fine/much better but I don’t want to come off as unprofessional.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Tucked in polo and khakis would be fine. I agree , they can look bad tucked in but , if so, wear a dress shirt with the khakis. Tucked in, of course. ;)</p>