Visits - What to wear?

[Lina1504]

So, it's about time to visit schools. What do we wear to schools? Considering we will be visiting different labs, and suits will probably not work

[asaprocky]

I'm guessing business casual. 

[YaBoyAR]

I've seen varying opinions. I think it depends on the event. For example, are you just touring the campus and going to a pub Friday night? Might as well dress in your normal casual attire. Are you having faculty meetings and attending presentations? Maybe look a little more presentable. However, I don't think it's necessary to wear a suit at any point (unless it's for a fancy dinner). I don't know any professors at my school that wear suits, nor do the grad students. So I won't be either.

Just my 2 cents.

[loginofpscl]

I second the business casual attire. Golden rule of blurry dress code: dress appropriately so people will think not of what you're wearing but of what you have to say. So going overboard with a suit or blazer is possible, and your holey labshirt will detract from you as well.

 

On a sidenote, I'm under 21-- will I be missing out on a significant portion of visit activities?

[prolixity]

You're already admitted; dress normally.  We (current grad students) are just going to get you guys wasted anyway.

[alkylholic]

You're already admitted; dress normally.  We (current grad students) are just going to get you guys wasted anyway.

That's awesome to hear LOL 

[H Bond]

I second the business casual attire. Golden rule of blurry dress code: dress appropriately so people will think not of what you're wearing but of what you have to say. So going overboard with a suit or blazer is possible, and your holey labshirt will detract from you as well.

 

On a sidenote, I'm under 21-- will I be missing out on a significant portion of visit activities?

I don't know how much of a factor drinking plays in going to faculty lunches, but some places will offer alternatives for the underage and the teetotalers. Yale, for instance, offers bowling as an alternative to a bar-going event.

[Faraday]

I usually wore khakis and a nice polo shirt, and I was more well dressed than most. There is always that one person who wears a suit; don't be that guy/gal. I imagine a nice shirt and jeans would be perfectly fine but something more business casual certainly wouldn't be out of place either.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Faraday

[Zaea]

UC San Diego has pictures of last year's visitation weekend.  These might be helpful to get an idea of what to wear:

http://ucsdchemopportunities.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/visitation-weekend-photos-2013/

 

It looks like most people just wear normal clothes.  I think you would be fine with shirt + jeans, or a dress shirt at the most for meetings with faculty and poster presentations.

[Quantum Buckyball]

UC San Diego has pictures of last year's visitation weekend.  These might be helpful to get an idea of what to wear:

http://ucsdchemopportunities.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/visitation-weekend-photos-2013/

 

It looks like most people just wear normal clothes.  I think you would be fine with shirt + jeans, or a dress shirt at the most for meetings with faculty and poster presentations.

 

Everyone looked so happy in the pics ...should've gone to UCSD =.=

[prolixity]

Everyone looked so happy in the pics ...should've gone to UCSD =.=

Knowing what I do now about the climate in the Northeast, I agree.

[Reidp]

What about schools that you are interviewing at? I'm assuming a suit would be appropriate for that occasion?

[Faraday]

What about schools that you are interviewing at? I'm assuming a suit would be appropriate for that occasion?

 

Under no circumstances should the words suit and chemistry be connected unless you are receiving your Nobel Prize.

[MarcusPhcerius]

What about schools that you are interviewing at? I'm assuming a suit would be appropriate for that occasion?

I agree with Faraday. Personally, I'd wear a button up shirt, tie and slacks for an interview like that at most. It's chemistry, not law or business, and a suit isn't something you wouldn't ever wear in the lab, (not that you would wear the nicest clothes in a lab, but you wouldn't feel encumbered).