<p>This week, I'll be traveling to Houston to tour Rice and do an on-campus interview. My tour is at 9, with an information session following it, I believe, and my interview is at 1. I'm still not entirely sure what to wear.</p>
<p>Are shorts okay given that I'll be touring campus earlier?
How much is "too much"? I obviously won't be wearing a suit, but still...</p>
<p>Any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>I’d say anything comfortable that still is respectable and decent ie no short shorts or something</p>
<p>For example, would Ralph Lauren khaki shorts be acceptable, or should I steer away from shorts altogether?</p>
<p>Long pants, not made of denim, and a shirt with a collar.</p>
<p>Khakis, belt, and a button down (you can roll up the sleeves) or a collared shirt. Some sort of shoes that aren’t tennis shoes. Boat shoes are good for less-formal interviews.</p>
<p>You could always wear shorts and change just before the interview. Roll up the slacks and put them in your bag.</p>
<p>Shorts should not be worn to any interview, ever, no matter how informal.</p>
<p>Oh, right. A belt, and shoes that aren’t athletic shoes. I second that.</p>
<p>Assuming you’re a guy.</p>
<p>Better to be safe than sorry. Long dark pants (no jeans) Light colored button down dress shirt (do I need to say long sleeved). Slip on dress shoes (dark). Belt darker than pants (leather if possible). Socks darker than shoes. (solid color). No bling.</p>
<p>I recommend blazer and tie for the gentlemen, as if a job interview. Carry one page, one side resume to offer to admissions rep.</p>
<p>However, check school website for guidance. Washu and Claremont McKenna say casual is fine, for example. But even then no shorts.</p>
<p>I don’t think a jacket and tie are necessary for a college interview during the summer in Houston. </p>
<p>YMMV.</p>
<p>I agree, avoid the blazer and tie. College interviews aren’t that formal anyway, as they’re just supplementary to the application. Not like a job where the interview is everything.</p>
<p>Pancaked’s suggestion of wearing shorts on the tour and changing for the interview is a good one. Although it won’t be horribly hot yet at 9 am, Houston’s humidity will make it feel really uncomfortable. If you are staying nearby, I’d go back for a quick shower after the tour. You’ll feel much more confident in your interview if you aren’t worried that your deodorant stopped working ;)</p>
<p>Khakis, button shirt, boat shoes. Like a boss:cool:</p>
<p>When in doubt it is better to overdress than underdress. Putting care into your appearance at the interview shows the interviewer that you really care about getting into the school in question and that you prepared for the interview.</p>
<p>Perhaps more importantly, do you know if you interview well?</p>
<p>Many high school students are inexperienced with interviewing, so an interview may have much greater potential to hurt them than help them.</p>
<p>The impression one gets from the pictures of students on Rice’s web pages is that a suit and tie would likely be overdoing it. But whatever you wear, make sure it is clean, neat, and properly fitting (the last detail can be a hassle for high school or college guys trying to wear dressier clothes – poorly fitting dressier clothes typically indicate someone who dressed up for the one specific occasion).
[Future</a> Owls](<a href=“Office of Admission | Rice University”>Office of Admission | Rice University)</p>
<p>It is worth nothing that Rice lists the interview and level of applicant’s interest as “considered”.</p>
<p>Also, this is kind of weird, but don’t wear any sort of perfume/ cologne. If you go on the interview and the scent offends the person in some way, it already subconsciously puts you at a bad start.</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s “weird.” I think it’s just good advice.</p>
<p>Shorts are fine, normal and absolutely expected for summer Rice interviews. They know you are scheduled for a tour followed by interview. They expect you to dress for the weather, not for the interview. Wear a nice shirt and decent looking shoes and don’t look sloppy. Focus on making a good impression with what you say and don’t worry about your clothing.</p>
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<p>I see that this post is from Texas but it leaves me uneasy.</p>
<p>Clothing very often affects how one is judged, no matter how unfair that may seem. It will matter for jobs, it will matter for the impression on your fiancee’s Dad, it may matter for college. At least get into the habit. The above advice in this thread is right on: long khakis, belt, collared shirt, no jewelry except watch, no strong cologne, no athletic shoes.</p>
<p>Well, Evan, there you have it. You should either go ahead and wear shorts, or perhaps you should definitely wear long pants. For an interview, you’d be wise to wear a jacket and tie, or that’s not necessary, or maybe it’s even overkill. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, these what-to-wear threads often end up this way.</p>