I’ve seen conflicting things online on what to wear for an interview and I need help.
I have an online interview (via Skype) and an alumni interview.
Any suggestions on what to wear?
Doesn’t matter, as long as you look clean and decent.
The general rule is to follow that of the dress code of the school (for in person interviews). As these are not on-campus interviews, I’d probably still hold true a bit to that guideline for the alumnus interview. Is the school dress is formal, dress a little nicer. For my family, we always stress the importance of a first impression- so I’d at least look like you put effort into your appearance. One of my past bosses always said he looked at the person’s shoes. If they were scuffed, he felt they didn’t put forth the effort and that the position must not be too important to them.
I work virtually now, and for the Skype interview, they won’t see but your top half. For my current job’s interview, I put a nice scarf around my neck…underneath, I had on a casual tee and yoga pants. I still use that trick when interviewing potential candidates. Lol DS was too paranoid for his Skype interviews and dressed up all the way down to his dress shoes. I don’t think it mattered to the AO…lol.
I am a firm believer in “slightly nicer than dress code” unless the dress code is formal, then just dress code. My daughter wore a cute (but conservative) dress to all her interviews. I think saying it doesn’t matter is off base. Obviously, there is no official rule that AOs follow like “that kid wore jeans they are off the list” but EVERYONE makes first impression judgments and part of that is on the way you look/present yourself. Why on earth wouldn’t you make an extra effort to make a good first impression??
Wear what is comfortable to you but also stay a little dressier. To all my interviews, I’ve worn a button-up and khakis with dress shoes—nothing absurd, but nicer than usual.
My son did both interview types you mentioned. He wore a collared shirt for the Skype interviews, because they were literally right before he was walking out the door for school (which his interviewers knew). He wore a button-up shirt, tie and dress pants for the alumni interview, because he was interviewing with an attorney (who showed up in a tie and jacket). Short of showing up in a tux, nobody will notice or ding you for dressing up; but you never know the personality or biases of the interviewer and shouldn’t risk being dinged for dressing down.
We only did on-campus interviews, so I had my son err on the conservative side and wear a jacket and tie to all of them. At some schools, this was the dress code. At others, the dress code varied from a collared shirt and khakis, to virtually no dress code at all. Agree that for Skype, you can get away with the a nice looking top and whatever comfortable pants you may want to wear.
It was hard but I got my kid to wear nicer than normal clothes. The type of clothes that you would wear to a more formal event. During the various interviews, we say everything from a girl in ripped jeans to someone in an obvious designer get up ( could just tell). I think for a boy wearing a jacket and khakis is good for a girl, either very nice pants and a sweater or a simple dress. Nothing should be ostentatious. Keep the crazy stuff for revisit day when you already have your acceptance in hand. Parents were all dressed in business attire ( from business casual to formal business).
You dress up for revisit?? Damn, I was planning on wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
Well, they won’t likely take your acceptance away, but I’d still personally suggest a collared shirt and khakis for revisits.
I would err on the side of dressier for any interviews and campus visits. It never hurts to make a good impression. My son wore a blazer, tie and khakis. My daughter wore a dress and a cardigan. For revisit days (I hope!) they will probably wear something more casual, but that meets the daily school dress code.
A couple of years ago on CC, someone posted what NOT to wear . Girls: Do NOT wear leggings with Uggs to your interview. Kiddo is a tour guide and reports that most boys are wearing blue blazer, khaki pants, white/light blue shirt and tie. Some kids actually show up in their school uniform (rare event, but interesting). Girls: Dress or skirt, closed toe shoes or boots (its winter now), skirt with sweater, or dress with a sweater/cardigan. Yes - Revisit was more casual but kiddo was dressed like an interview. Keep in mind that your tour may take you through unplowed pathways or muddy paths (during Revisit week - slush is in season). Wear appropriate shoes/boots.
@Golfgr8 Good point about wearing practical shoes. I have seen a lot of moms teetering on heels trying to keep up with the tour guide in sneakers.
In terms of revisit day, all the students are trying to make a final decision. They start to meet each other. It’s probably best to put your best foot forward. You will be meeting the Admissions staff ( again), the head of school, other parents and other kids. In general, be comfortable but not sloppy. It’s not going to impress anyone if your hair is uncombed and you are wearing jeans. There’s plenty of time for people to see you in that state 
Many years ago at a highly competitive prep school in a major US city, one young man carried a football to each interview (students did multiple interviews at the same school over one day).
@Publisher Wow, that’s really out there. But maybe not so different from the kid who dyes their hair pink, purple or green to impress upon everyone that they are “artsy”
I wonder if he got in?
He was a scared AA young man interviewing at a very prestigious overwhelmingly white Southern prep day school. It was his way of communicating what he viewed as his greatest strength/possible contribution to the school. He was a quarterback so his physical appearance was not overwhelming, thus not obvious that he was a football player.
Since I work from home and am an extreme introvert, I had to go out and purchase a “respectable mom” wardrobe. My biggest fear is that I won’t fit into it for buuznkid2 and have to go back out into the world and shop again. My normal work gear (sweatshirts and yoga pants) can be Amazon primed… 
Boys: If you are interviewing at Thacher or Cate, you do NOT have to wear a tie. We are a lot more casual out West. Khakis and a button-down or polo will suffice. There’ll be a couple of boys in suits; probably foreign students with an educational consultant in tow. And some with East Coast roots in a blue blazer and khakis.
@buuzn03 Still laughing. I have two wardrobes. The one I wear and the one I use when I have to go to certain events/work. They are very different.
I just heard all about the various forms of Canada Goose jackets from my kid. Apparently there are various versions
( with a difference in cost); Some students have multiple jackets and some have the out there ones. Apparently there is one version that resembles a parachute. I wonder if prospectives know that if it’s 45 degrees out, you probably don’t need that kind of jacket. And most NE kids don’t even wear jackets! Ever. My kid thinks, foreign students purchase CG specifically to visit boarding schools. We concluded that they are probably useful back in Canada and in the Arctic. Kid thought that they might have been cool but now they are too mainstream. Sorry I digress, but what you wear says something about who you want people to think you are.
^ but what you wear says something about who you want people to think you are…
@Happytimes2001 hence, the “respectable mom” wardrobe. My everyday work wear would just advertise that I’m one hot mess!!!