Genetic Counseling Fall 2017 Applicants

[AspiringGC]

1 hour ago, GCInTraining said:

I think Texas does all their invites in one day. They told me they'd confirm my interview date early next week so that's probably when they'll start inviting people off the waitlist or turning people down.

@UTGC told me they are sending them out in waves actually (they are a current student there rn)! So don't freak out, cuz I know I was earlier

[CiciGC]

On 2/17/2017 at 1:23 PM, GCHopeful said:

I have been seeing a lot of interview clothing advice being passed around lately, but being a guy, heels don't really look that good with the clothes I have ;) That being said, for the men of this forum, what are you thinking of wearing or, for those that have interviewed prior, what did you see other guys wearing? I am planning on wearing a suit, but I don't know if this is too formal or not. Any advice? 

I've gone with slip on dress shoes. Wingtips give me huge blisters. I wore a pair of Cole Haan in black yesterday for my interview at Wayne State, and it was fine. (Hi to anyone I met there!) I went with a pair of black pants, white dress shirt, gold/black patterned tie, and sport coat. Overall it worked very well. I also have a navy suit I'm planning on wearing for Oklahoma and Pitt, but the same shoes will go with me. With all the walking we'll be doing on campus, I went for comfort over super dressy. Where are you interviewing? Hope that helps.

http://www.colehaan.com/tucker-venetian-loafer-black/C03557.html?dwvar_C03557_color=Black&dwvar_C03557_width=

[Ferris604]

4 hours ago, AspiringGC said:

@UTGC told me they are sending them out in waves actually (they are a current student there rn)! So don't freak out, cuz I know I was earlier

Thank you for the info.  I can start breathing again!

I have three schools where I still don't know if I will be offered an interview or not.  With my spotty academics during undergrad, I honestly have no idea if I'm a decent candidate or a super long shot.  These next few weeks will tell me a lot about my standing, so I'm kind of a wreck right now.

[GCHopeful]

8 hours ago, CiciGC said:

I've gone with slip on dress shoes. Wingtips give me huge blisters. I wore a pair of Cole Haan in black yesterday for my interview at Wayne State, and it was fine. (Hi to anyone I met there!) I went with a pair of black pants, white dress shirt, gold/black patterned tie, and sport coat. Overall it worked very well. I also have a navy suit I'm planning on wearing for Oklahoma and Pitt, but the same shoes will go with me. With all the walking we'll be doing on campus, I went for comfort over super dressy. Where are you interviewing? Hope that helps.

http://www.colehaan.com/tucker-venetian-loafer-black/C03557.html?dwvar_C03557_color=Black&dwvar_C03557_width=

Thanks for the feedback! I am interviewing at CU Denver (hometown), Stanford, UW Madison, Brandeis, and Northwestern! How about yourself?

[AspiringGC]

Just remembered that Monday is Presidents' Day ? Probably means we won't be getting any news about interviews until Tuesday

[raindaywoman]

Hey Ladies and Gents, 

I know we're still waiting on CSU-Stanislaus, but wanted to mention I live nearby and can help with commutes (and maybe a bed), and am happy to do so whether I get an interview or not :-). Plus I shadowed the director of the program and her colleagues, and have connections within the hospital she works at.

Edited February 19, 2017 by raindaywoman

[raindaywoman]

31 minutes ago, raindaywoman said:

Hey Ladies and Gents, 

I know we're still waiting on CSU-Stanislaus, but wanted to mention I live nearby and can help with commutes (and maybe a bed), and am happy to do so whether I get an interview or not :-). Plus I shadowed the director of the program a couple times as well as her colleagues, and have connections with her coworkers. 

Happy to answer questions re. the director, though, I'm not sure how much help I'll be :-)

Edited February 19, 2017 by raindaywoman

[r_cooper]

First time poster here! I'm starting to freak out about interviews a little and I'm looking for some opinions on interview attire. I have a nice skirt and blazer that I'm sure would work but I'd rather wear a cardigan-- I'm just worried it wouldn't look professional enough. Would you all consider this outfit too casual? 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51524546e4b02b2554e2f5d8/t/54361fe0e4b00a21914b600c/1412833255562/Wear+a+dress+as+a+top?format=300w

[Ferris604]

3 hours ago, r_cooper said:

First time poster here! I'm starting to freak out about interviews a little and I'm looking for some opinions on interview attire. I have a nice skirt and blazer that I'm sure would work but I'd rather wear a cardigan-- I'm just worried it wouldn't look professional enough. Would you all consider this outfit too casual? 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51524546e4b02b2554e2f5d8/t/54361fe0e4b00a21914b600c/1412833255562/Wear+a+dress+as+a+top?format=300w

Personally, I think the cardigan could work.  I may be biased because I was planning on wearing a cardigan.  The one I have is a bit of a heavier knit and has a little structure to it. But I've definitely worn something what's in that picture for job interviews and gotten the job (as well as compliments for my clothing after I was hired).

However, I think the girl in the picture is wearing too much jewelry for an interview.  I would keep it simple.  I want my interviewers to be focusing on me and not my outfit!

[Ultrapeaches]

46 minutes ago, Ferris604 said:

However, I think the girl in the picture is wearing too much jewelry for an interview.  I would keep it simple.  I want my interviewers to be focusing on me and not my outfit!

 

I like the statement necklace and the watch, lose the additional bracelets.

[UTGC]

9 hours ago, r_cooper said:

First time poster here! I'm starting to freak out about interviews a little and I'm looking for some opinions on interview attire. I have a nice skirt and blazer that I'm sure would work but I'd rather wear a cardigan-- I'm just worried it wouldn't look professional enough. Would you all consider this outfit too casual? 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51524546e4b02b2554e2f5d8/t/54361fe0e4b00a21914b600c/1412833255562/Wear+a+dress+as+a+top?format=300w

From what I saw, a cardigan would be on the less dressy end of the spectrum but still within the normal range of attire. (Regarding that outfit in particular, I'd probably chose between bold colors or bold prints, both + a cardigan would probably be too informal). I think a simple blouse and dress pants/skirt with a nice cardigan could definitely work. You just want to be careful about not looking too business casual.

Edited February 20, 2017 by UTGC

[metabolismo]

10 hours ago, r_cooper said:

First time poster here! I'm starting to freak out about interviews a little and I'm looking for some opinions on interview attire. I have a nice skirt and blazer that I'm sure would work but I'd rather wear a cardigan-- I'm just worried it wouldn't look professional enough. Would you all consider this outfit too casual? 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51524546e4b02b2554e2f5d8/t/54361fe0e4b00a21914b600c/1412833255562/Wear+a+dress+as+a+top?format=300w

I think a cardigan, or even a pullover sweater would work. You could also wear a nice sheath dress underneath the cardigan.

 I think the pattern and colors of the outfit you posted are a little too casual/distracting for an interview, but in general that combination of skirt + shirt + cardi can look very professional.  I would go for a nice button down shirt or shell underneath the cardigan (in a solid color or small print/pattern).  You could also wear a nice sheath dress underneath the cardigan.

Button down + pullover sweater:  https://tinyurl.com/gokw82h

Button down + cardigan:  https://tinyurl.com/hbmjntu or  https://tinyurl.com/zbcxh6n (not a button down, but similar)

Shell top + cardigan:  https://tinyurl.com/je9m2ot

Sheath dress + cardigan:  https://tinyurl.com/z5teb28

Edited February 20, 2017 by metabolismo

[r_cooper]

@Ferris604 @Ultrapeaches @UTGC Thank you all for your thoughts! I think I will go with a dressy cardigan then. 

37 minutes ago, metabolismo said:

I think a cardigan, or even a pullover sweater would work. You could also wear a nice sheath dress underneath the cardigan.

 I think the pattern and colors of the outfit you posted are a little too casual/distracting for an interview, but in general that combination of skirt + shirt + cardi can look very professional.  I would go for a nice button down shirt or shell underneath the cardigan (in a solid color or small print/pattern).  You could also wear a nice sheath dress underneath the cardigan.

Button down + pullover sweater:  https://tinyurl.com/gokw82h

Button down + cardigan:  https://tinyurl.com/hbmjntu or  https://tinyurl.com/zbcxh6n (not a button down, but similar)

Shell top + cardigan:  https://tinyurl.com/je9m2ot

Sheath dress + cardigan:  https://tinyurl.com/z5teb28

I really love these examples. I will definitely keep them in mind as I go shopping tomorrow. And don't worry, the outfit I posted with the bold prints was just an example. I would go with something more low key 

[raindaywoman]

 

1 hour ago, UTGC said:

From what I saw, a cardigan would be on the less dressy end of the spectrum but still within the normal range of attire. (Regarding that outfit in particular, I'd probably chose between bold colors or bold prints, both + a cardigan would probably be too informal). I think a simple blouse and dress pants/skirt with a nice cardigan could definitely work. You just want to be careful about not looking too business casual.

Having interviewed for jobs in the legal field through the arts field, I would say that the grad school interview is on the more casual side, and that a cardigan is definitely acceptable attire. I also love the blazer i have thats made out of french terry cloth - http://www.zappos.com/p/tart-essential-blazer/product/8069164, very comfortable but looks like a blazer. 

My other suggestions is to not overthink it, and wear something you are comfortable in and you've worn a couple times, you don't really need another thing to worry about on the day of the interview! 

[Ultrapeaches]

Personally, I'm always looking for an reason to dress up. No one's gonna dock you points for looking like you're taking this interview thing too seriously, y'know? Here are the only two photos I have of my outfit from my Emory interview - one is a ridiculous selfie of me breaking low-carb edge that I sent to my partner. I'm thrilled that I had interviews as an excuse to buy these pieces - I feel like a stone cold fox.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vgu2dot3utvaojm/outfit1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tmfpwrzvoy1w7r/outfit2.jpg?dl=0

[robyn94]

I know there is a lot of discussion about what to wear at the interviews, but does anyone have any idea of how we should dress if we are invited to meet with the program beforehand? Three of my interviews include some kind of separate orientation or dinner/lunch meeting the day before, and I'm not sure if this is an opportunity to dress more business casual than I would at the actual interview. 

[_GC19_]

@robyn94 The dinners are typically more casual. The attire is entirely up to you unless otherwise specified in the invite - of those that I attended last year, I saw people in outfits ranging from leggings and sweatshirts to cute casual dresses/skirts.

[robyn94]

@SJMcGC Thank you for replying! I suspected it would be more casual, but I'd hate to show up underdressed. 

[AspiringGC]

Sort of not related, but my school is offering a weekend class to become certified as a phlebotomy tech, which is really awesome because becoming a phleb tech normally takes 3 months to a year just depending on the program! It's currently full for this weekend, but I am the first one on the waiting list so hopefully I can get in  

If I don't get into grad school this year, this certification could open up more job opportunities for me and might look good on my future application, so that's cool. 

 

[robyn94]

@AspiringGC that sounds like a great opportunity! I hope a spot opens up for you in the course

[Cricket643]

1 hour ago, robyn94 said:

 I know there is a lot of discussion about what to wear at the interviews, but does anyone have any idea of how we should dress if we are invited to meet with the program beforehand? Three of my interviews include some kind of separate orientation or dinner/lunch meeting the day before, and I'm not sure if this is an opportunity to dress more business casual than I would at the actual interview. 

Several of my interviews also include orientation/meeting with students the day before the interviews. I am planning to wear dress pants with a blouse and cardigan the day before and a dress with a blazer for the interviews.

My U of T interview is Mar 15-16 - when is yours? I can't see signatures on my phone! 

[Cricket643]

On February 17, 2017 at 4:22 PM, bB0769 said:

Same here!! What day are you all interviewing? 

March 15-16. When is yours?

[robyn94]

10 minutes ago, Cricket643 said:

Several of my interviews also include orientation/meeting with students the day before the interviews. I am planning to wear dress pants with a blouse and cardigan the day before and a dress with a blazer for the interviews.

My U of T interview is Mar 15-16 - when is yours? I can't see signatures on my phone! 

My U of T interview is March 1st-2nd. Initially, it was supposed to be the 15th-16th as well, but I was asked to switch my dates to accommodate for an applicant who will be out of country. Looks like I just missed you! 

[Gadgette]

I know UCI hasn't sent out invites yet, but I'm on my last day of vacation in Orange County and figured I'd make a quick plug. I flew into the Long Beach Airport this time, which was $200 cheaper than anything else I could find and is always super easy to navigate because it's tiny. (I love tiny airports and will do absolutely everything in my power to avoid LAX.) It is about a 20-30 minute drive to the medical center, unless it's rush hour. The John Wayne airport is about 5 minutes close and is really nice, too, but with more people/traffic.

[AspiringGC]

20 minutes ago, Gadgette said:

I know UCI hasn't sent out invites yet, but I'm on my last day of vacation in Orange County and figured I'd make a quick plug. I flew into the Long Beach Airport this time, which was $200 cheaper than anything else I could find and is always super easy to navigate because it's tiny. (I love tiny airports and will do absolutely everything in my power to avoid LAX.) It is about a 20-30 minute drive to the medical center, unless it's rush hour. The John Wayne airport is about 5 minutes close and is really nice, too, but with more people/traffic.

Yeah personally I was going to go into John Wayne if I got an interview. Taxis and Uber's in the city are SOO expensive especially for anything over a 10 minute drive. But I'm also in Southern Arizona so a flight to LA is as little as $97 sometimes.