<p>Okay, this is probably an odd question. I'm posting this on behalf of my son.
My son and I will be heading up to Stanford and Berkeley September 15-16. We will be attending campus tours at both schools. He has also scheduled meetings with professors at the Engineering departments at both schools. They aren't interviews, just sort of meetings, and I think they will be showing him around the labs at both schools.
Which brings up the question: What should he wear?? I would assume, if we were just doing the tours, casual clothes would be fine, but I figure he will probably need to change into something more decent for these meetings. How formal does he need to be?
Thanks a ton!</p>
<p>He shouldn’t be dressed better than the prof.
;)</p>
<p>Khakis (too hot in September in CA for cords) and a polo or button down shirt - the uniform of well-dressed, yet distinctly casual young men.</p>
<p>In the Engineering department? He needs to wear… clothes. He should wear a shirt. He should wear shoes. Shorts or jeans. Clean clothes would be good. Do not stress about this.</p>
<p>Rule for all interviews of any type. Dress one level up from what you would be wearing if you “got the job”. So if you’d be wearing jeans and tee-shirt, then khakis and button-down. If you’d be wearing khakis and button-down, then add a jacket. if khakis, button-down, and jacket, then add a tie. Etc.</p>
<p>I assume that your son is a high school senior? My HS senior son has worn the khaki/polo or button down combination with great success to the engineering departments of MIT and Caltech, among others. None have kicked him out so far. A high school student does not need to wear a jacket and tie to a campus or department tour.</p>
<p>another vote for Khakis and a shirt with a collar. Polo or long sleeve would depend on the weather. No sandals. Dress shoes are unnecessary. Just not ragged old sneakers.</p>
<p>CF nailed it[ he also knows Stanford well]
He should wear what all Stanford students wear in Sept- Tshirt and jeans, or shorts if is its hot and tennis shoes are just fine. He will look silly and feel weird if he is any more formal than that. No Engineering Prof is going to think twice about what a HS student is wearing. He needs casual comfortable clothes while visiting campus. MY son didn’t dress any more formally than jeans and tshirts for his Grad school interviews at Stanford. Its Stanford guys, not Haaarvard. And its NOT for a job interview, when more “formal” attire might be recommended
[ but again, maybe not for Stanford, lol!.]</p>
<p>^Years ago a friend of mine wore a three piece suit to his first computer job interview. He came back and said never again. I think that CF is correct, but as the Mom I’d probably be advocating for polo shirt and khaki anyway!</p>
<p>I disagree with menoparkmom - I think it’s better for a young man to show a little respect and wear a collar, albeit, even a casual collar. My son has several “washed” polos that are quite dressed down, but still collared. Jeans and tee-shirts don’t cut it in my view. If he wants to make a good impression, he should make a minimal effort to look appropriate.</p>
<p>If the student is comfortable or really used to wearing a polo shirt and khakis[ maybe if its his school uniform?] then fine. But he will be the ONLY student dressed that way.</p>
<p>GM- how many times have you been on the Stanford campus, my dear?? Trust me on this one.Stanford is CASUAL. People there don’t care what you wear, they care what you think! I’m actually in the clothing business and I would NEVER recommend a HS student dress up for a campus visit THERE! And we LIVE on Stanford land, adjacent to campus. So I do know of what I speak in this instance.</p>
<p>We toured Stanford this summer and my son wore a polo without any ill effects. The point is not that anyone cares, it’s about making a bit of an effort and showing some respect. I suppose if the kid rolled out of bed and right into the interview, no one would really care as long as he had something interesting to offer. However, since the applicant is making a choice about what to wear, why not show a bit of effort in the choice - you know, act like the tour or interview actually matters.</p>
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<p>Absolutely! My god, on the westcoast even in a business school setting, this would be normal. Can’t go wrong with khakis and a polo but really, it doesn’t matter (except that whatever he wears he feels comfortable and himself). Just be comfortable and don’t overdress…or you’ll look like you are trying too hard (and create the opposite impression…nothing worse than kids wearing clothes they never wear and acting all awkward, like pretend middle age people).</p>
<p>Have you SEEN how professors dress? Especially in geeky fields. They won’t even notice. :)</p>
<p>“The point is not that anyone cares, it’s about making a bit of an effort and showing some respect”
If no one cares [ and they really dont in the Engineering dept] then there are lots of other ways to show respect- like doing lots of research beforehand and being prepared to ask lots of questions. That will impress- not the clothes he wears while visiting campus.</p>
<p>The OP asked the question, so it’s a choice, “what to wear?” Not an occasion to pick up whatever is on the floor and throw it on. Presumably, they are packing and they will want to pack appropriate clothes. So, in that light, why not wear something that shows a teeny tiny bit of respect and dare I say, good taste? Sure the kid can be as incredibly impressive as humanly possible, but why not throw a polo on him? What’s the harm in that? And menloparkmom, please don’t presume to speak for everyone at Stanford.</p>
<p>I’m a she, not a he, but yes, like menloparkmom I live in the neighborhood. </p>
<p>Mr. Fang, who works in a technical field at a top Silicon Valley software company and who got his PhD at Stanford, says he’d recommend a shirt with a collar.</p>
<p>“And menloparkmom, please don’t presume to speak for everyone at Stanford.”</p>
<p>I never did…</p>
<p>My, my, my…arent we a little touchy on this subject!</p>
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<p>Actually, you did, but I forgive you :)</p>
<p>Do not wear red at Berkeley. </p>
<p>extrapolating… do not buy a great Cal shirt and wear it to Stanford.</p>