Interview Attire

[PhD_Wannabe01]

1 hour ago, periwinkle27 said:

Ladies on a budget, where are you shopping for your interview attire?

I'm re-wearing my graduation dress and wearing a cover-up/shawl thing that I've had for years.

[8BitJourney]

1 hour ago, periwinkle27 said:

Ladies on a budget, where are you shopping for your interview attire?

Jcpenny/Macy's when they have sales and piecing it together with what I already have.

Btw if you're a student the site 'unidays' gives you a once a day coupon for a ton of stores like modcloth, asos etc if you use a school email address

[pineapplemangoes]

On 2/1/2017 at 5:22 PM, stereopticons said:

I think I'm wearing one down and curly too but I'm worried about frizz, and messing with it like you said. So many things to think about, ughhhh. 

I agree with juhidee119 about pulling hair halfway up. I have really long curly hair, and that's usually my go-to for a happy medium.

[pineapplemangoes]

Anyone else stressing about the appropriate shoes for winter weather? Typically I wear flats but I have recruitment weekend up in Michigan and have no idea what shoes are both durable in the snow and look good with dress pants.

Edited February 5, 2017 by pineapplemangoes

[SabDelta]

15 minutes ago, pineapplemangoes said:

Anyone else stressing about the appropriate shoes for winter weather? Typically I wear flats but I have recruitment weekend up in Michigan and have no idea what shoes are both durable in the snow and look good with dress pants.

I have exactly the same question! I will be 16-18 in Ann Arbor with absolutly no idea what to wear!

[pineapplemangoes]

2 minutes ago, SabDelta said:

I have exactly the same question! I will be 16-18 in Ann Arbor with absolutly no idea what to wear!

Same! What program were you accepted to? I'm going for Personality and Social Contexts

[psychout129]

Ladies, what do you think about tights-- I've heard to go with nude stockings over opaque black tights because it's seemingly more professional but I really prefer the look and feel of opaque. You think it really matters?

[stereopticons]

42 minutes ago, pineapplemangoes said:

Anyone else stressing about the appropriate shoes for winter weather? Typically I wear flats but I have recruitment weekend up in Michigan and have no idea what shoes are both durable in the snow and look good with dress pants.

I just had an interview in Rochester and ended up wearing boots (and so did pretty much everyone else). 

[meggied]

1 hour ago, psychout129 said:

Ladies, what do you think about tights-- I've heard to go with nude stockings over opaque black tights because it's seemingly more professional but I really prefer the look and feel of opaque. You think it really matters?

I think black tights are fine. They may not seem as professional but I have worked in a professional environment for over two years and wear them to work all the time. I think the only reason they seem less professional is because they seem younger.

[soccerplaya]

Hmm just wanted to give random input, but for social psychology programs like UVA, Umich, business casual is totally great and business formal is totally great, so I'd recommend whatever you feel your best in. For programs like Yale, Harvard, Princeton, I would recommend business formal.

Note I know nothing about clinical psych dress code.

Edited February 5, 2017 by soccerplaya

[researchjunkie]

On 1/17/2017 at 6:37 AM, psycgrad08 said:

What about tattoos? I'm torn about whether or not to cover mine up.

My two most visible are a sleeve and one across my chest below my collarbones. On one hand I don't want to do anything that might tip the scales against me but then on the other if I get accepted they'll be seeing them anyways (but I guess then it won't matter as much because I'll be in). Both of these tattoos are very intricate, delicate and black/grey with thin lines. I already work in a professional field and they have never been an issue. 

I'm applying to schools in Canada that I've heard aren't as conservative as others. 

I feel like I have three options:

1. Cover them up completely with clothing and even buy tattoo cover up make-up

2. Cover them at least for the most part with clothing so can only see hints of tattoos

3. Not make any effort to hide them but obviously still dress business formal 

does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this? 

Option 3! Be you Though, granted, I've interviewed before and the profs were more interested in asking about my tattoos and the stories behind them than caring too much. Granted, I'm in Canada and it's a bit different up here. I've also got a facial piercing and that's never been an issue - pretty common. My thoughts on this may be a bit stronger than others. This is a PI and a department you'll be spending the next 5-7 years of your life with. Me personally, I don't think I could change that much of myself for the interview - I wouldn't feel comfortable or true to myself throughout the process. Obviously dress professional, but remember that they're interviewing you, so be you (and you're also interviewing them :D)

On 1/18/2017 at 6:25 PM, FacelessMage said:

What are people's thoughts about wearing dark coloured (black) tights under a black dress/skirt for business formal interviews? I have nude coloured pantyhose, but I usually wear black, and I'm worried that this may be too much black with the blazer, dress, and heels. 

I fully plan on it. It's cold cold cold where I'm interviewing so I plan on wearing opaque dark grey tights with my dress and blazer. I think they can be a really nice touch, especially if they compliment the outfit. Neutrals are good (greys, black)... I hate pantyhose with a passion, and usually opt for opaque tights. 

On 2/2/2017 at 6:18 AM, psychapp2016 said:

I'm glad to see this posted! Sorry I'm a bit late. I was engaged last year when I interviewed and I did get questions about how my fiance felt about moving to the area, or about how that would factor in...I don't know if there was any judgement there BUT I opted to not wear it this year to interviews and so far no questions about relationship status...totally up to you, this has just been my experience

They may ask questions but just be honest about it. My POI that I interviewed with last year commented on my ring (she really liked it). I have the ease of being able to say that my partner is able to move with me wherever I go. Again, I think this goes back to what I said above about tattoos and piercings etc... if I thought it was going to be a problem with my POI that I was married, then we're obviously not a good fit! 

Just my two cents

[SabDelta]

12 hours ago, pineapplemangoes said:

Same! What program were you accepted to? I'm going for Personality and Social Contexts

 Great program! I'm going to Combined Program in Psychology and Education! Maybe I will see you there, is the same department I think!

[01848p]

@pineapplemangoes @SabDelta If I were you I would invest in a pair of black ankle boots for the weather. But if you did really want to wear flats I think you could make it work if you had to, since I doubt they'll make you suffer through a campus tour in such cold weather. 

Edited February 6, 2017 by 01848p

[dormcat]

I did an in house interview at UVA this week and most women wore pantsuits, nearly all men wore suits, and a few women wore skirts with blouses or dresses with sweaters/blazers. I was also there to interview for a more relaxed program, so I was surprised so many people dressed in business formal clothing. There was a dinner the night before and I wore a dress with leggings, and a casual dinner the day of the interview to which I wore jeans, a shirt, and a sweater.

I took a small black bag with my wallet and phone. My first meeting was with my POI so I left my bag in her lab and only carried a notebook with my schedule and a pen. 

I'm also going to Michigan recruitment (so many of us here, how cool!) and was planning to bring a larger bag that my snow boots will fit in and bringing flats along to change into. Unfortunately snow boots don't flatter my slacks ??

Edited February 6, 2017 by dormcat

[tomorrowforgotten]

Think I could get away with wearing basketball shorts and a white t-shirt?

[stereopticons]

9 minutes ago, tomorrowforgotten said:

Think I could get away with wearing basketball shorts and a white t-shirt?

If you do that, I'm wearing yoga pants and a hoodie. 

[eveline]

On 2/4/2017 at 9:45 PM, psychout129 said:

Ladies, what do you think about tights-- I've heard to go with nude stockings over opaque black tights because it's seemingly more professional but I really prefer the look and feel of opaque. You think it really matters?

I was worried about this as well for one of my interviews. I did end up wearing black tights with a dress because they were my thickest pair and it was so cold! I really don't think anyone should be docked for this.. 

[LMG123]

I have my first interview next Friday and plan to go shopping this weekend. This thread has been so helpful! I was freaking out but I realized it's better to be confident and feel good in what I'm wearing than worry about being too formal (or not enough). Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions! 

[Dondante_MMJ]

On ‎1‎/‎17‎/‎2017 at 8:37 AM, psycgrad08 said:

What about tattoos? I'm torn about whether or not to cover mine up.

My two most visible are a sleeve and one across my chest below my collarbones. On one hand I don't want to do anything that might tip the scales against me but then on the other if I get accepted they'll be seeing them anyways (but I guess then it won't matter as much because I'll be in). Both of these tattoos are very intricate, delicate and black/grey with thin lines. I already work in a professional field and they have never been an issue. 

I'm applying to schools in Canada that I've heard aren't as conservative as others. 

I feel like I have three options:

1. Cover them up completely with clothing and even buy tattoo cover up make-up

2. Cover them at least for the most part with clothing so can only see hints of tattoos

3. Not make any effort to hide them but obviously still dress business formal 

does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this? 

I am worried about this as well. I have 2 full sleeves down to the wrist as well as the lower half of my right and left leg done. I plan on wearing a suit to the actual interview but am staying with a grad student one night and there is no possible way to hide all my tattoos unless I wore a onesie. I think they will be hidden throughout the formal interview process but am worried about the grad student housing. One of my interviews is in the south(where I'm from) and I'm a little worried about conservative viewpoints. But honestly I plan on getting plenty more tattoos throughout grad school so if they don't accept me for who I am then that's ok it obviously wasn't a good match. Plus, in my field of hopeful practice and research (substance use) tattoos are relatively prominent. Stay strong and help us smash the stigma of tattooed individuals!!!!!!

[Dondante_MMJ]

Many of the schools have socials the night before. Are the guys wearing suits to the social or going more business casual? I only plan on bringing one suit to my upcoming interviews and don't want to wear two days in a row at each interview. I don't have the time to dry clean it between my interviews.

[JacobW83]

21 minutes ago, Dondante_MMJ said:

Many of the schools have socials the night before. Are the guys wearing suits to the social or going more business casual? I only plan on bringing one suit to my upcoming interviews and don't want to wear two days in a row at each interview. I don't have the time to dry clean it between my interviews.

The two socials I've been to so far have been VERY casual, and the grad students stressed this. Faculty were not present at either social. I believe I wore a Polo shirt (not even tucked in) and khakis to both. There were people slightly more dressed up than that and slightly less, but I'd say it fit in well. Nobody wore a suit to either social. 

I'd email whoever told you about the social (typically it's a grad student organizing it) and double check on casualness, but I almost guarantee nobody will wear a suit to the social (unless it's a very formal event with all the faculty in a nice setting)

[Dondante_MMJ]

26 minutes ago, JacobW83 said:

The two socials I've been to so far have been VERY casual, and the grad students stressed this. Faculty were not present at either social. I believe I wore a Polo shirt (not even tucked in) and khakis to both. There were people slightly more dressed up than that and slightly less, but I'd say it fit in well. Nobody wore a suit to either social. 

I'd email whoever told you about the social (typically it's a grad student organizing it) and double check on casualness, but I almost guarantee nobody will wear a suit to the social (unless it's a very formal event with all the faculty in a nice setting)

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I know one is at a brewery so I am not thinking that will be very formal.

[C is for Caps Locks]

Yeah, for the social event the evening before interviews I've yet to encounter formal dress, some people (usually prospective students) seem to dress up a bit, but the graduate students were generally much more low-key.

Certainly, as JacobW83 said, no one was wearing a suit.

[tomorrowforgotten]

I wore a pair of nice jeans and a t-shirt to both dinners. I was sure to ask my host student if it was okay, and they assured me that it was. 

Best advice? Just ask a grad student. 

[Le Chat]

I'm a woman and for my interview at a competitive school I wore a skirt suit. I wore a dress and yellow blazer for the student social. 

The other interview was more laid back so I wore my suit skirt, and my yellow blazer. I wore lace up flats and black tights with both.

Some interviewees did not wear suits and wore dresses, or dress pants with matching blazers.