To keep the beard or not to keep the beard

[fableb]

Hello!

 

I have an interview at the MCB program at Dartmouth this coming Thursday. This is my only interview so far so I don't want to mess things up. The thing is, I have a beard. It's not an excessively long beard, but it is also not the prickly length. And I don't want to shave it if I don't have to. What do you all think? And for those who have been to interviews already, have you seen fellow interviewees with beards?

 

Not that this directly addresses the beard issue, but the coordinator specifically said  "The event is casual in nature so comfortable clothing is preferred - no busines suits." Does that mean it is laid back enough to keep the beard?

 

Thank you for the help and input!

 

 

[ChitownSVL]

Be yourself. No one will judge you based on facial hair, if they do, eff them.

[ion_exchanger]

I believe you will be fine. At my first interview weekend, there were not only interviewees with beards, but first year graduate students with beards. As long as it isn't braided or beaded, you will be fine. I can't see them turning away an otherwise qualified candidate for facial hair. Go on their website and take a look at the picutres of current students and see if any of them have beards.

[TakeruK]

I don't think facial hair is going to determine whether or not you get admission. You would want to look clean, but beards and cleanliness are obviously not mutually exclusive. I would even say braiding or beading it, should you choose to do that, would be perfectly fine. Unless you weave an offensive beaded message in your beard.....

[arnds]

I got accepted in the one that attended with a beard and got rejected by the one where I shaved. So...