interview social events

guys usually wear khakis and a button-down. it depends a little where it is (a bar, at someone's house, etc) most programs stressed for guys not to wear ties--it's supposed to be relaxed. if you have any doubt, ask the program coordinator- they usually know everything and have done this thing a million times.
(for girls- usually nice pants and a cute but not overly revealing top. i wore a skirt to one and was the only one i saw at that interview or any other wearing anything but pants.)

with regard to being an extension of the interview, of course it is. i never heard of anyone being pimped, but you should definitely try to meet as many of the residents in attendance as possible (and obviously attendings if present) it makes the interview day more relaxed. Plus, you are mutually exploring if the other is someone you want to spend the next 5-6yrs with.

cheers.
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With regards to the pre-interview events: how big of a deal is it to miss one? (obviously so that you can go on a different interview that day). Should you bring it up at the actual interview, as in "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the dinner last night, I was interviewing at X"? Or should you just apologize in advance to the coordinator and then not mention it? Does the fact that you didn't go to the dinner come up during the ranking meeting?

From a coordinator's stand point.

Our program director and department chair ask on interview day which candidates came to the pre-interview dinner. Also, during the rank list meeting, the residents give feedback on candidates that they spoke with at the dinner.

Most of the time candidates apologize if they can't make it and do indicate it was because they were at another interview which is understandable.

Hope this helps.

I'd try your best to make it to the pre/post interview social events. If it's a pre-interview event, it alllows for you to ask some questions and possibly get some ammo for interviews the next day. It's also a good time for you to see whether you "fit-in" with residents from a particular program. So don't just sit on the wall and talk with other applicants. Make the rounds and say "what's up" to the residents. Most orthopods are fairly out-going. I think it says a lot when an applicant takes the initiative and tries to get to know the program that he/she came so far to see. Also it's nice to bring your significant others, because some time they can take a step back and give you some in-sight on whether you REALLY fit in or not. Some times you get caught up in the moment as an applicant and can't really discern whether you fit in or not. Your significant other may be the fly on the wall that realizes that you're way too cool for a program or vice versa (truth hurts some time
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).

At Case, if you don't make it, no one really takes note. For us, I think it mainly functions as a tool for the applicant to get to know US better. Relaxed, no pimping, just a bunch of guys/girls hanging out and having some beers. From our standpoint the social won't get you into the program, but it could get you out of the running. We had an applicant last year that was trying to grind with some of our interns wives. Poor form.

As for dress, it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side and drop an email to the coordinator prior to interview time. If it was at a bar/sports-bar, then I'd wear bar/sport-bar type clothes (i.e. jeans, sweats etc.). Some places have a more formal sit-down thing at a fancier place. Shirt and tie may actually be in order for these places.

at Hpkins, we have a reception and dinner the evening before the interview for applicants and our residents. Usually our chairman, program director and one or two other faculty may drop in to the reception. After the dinner, residents usually take applicants out for an evening on the town at a local pub. Dress is business casual.

It is not mandatory that applicants attend as we understand how hectic travel schedules are, but it's nice if they can. Spouses/sig others are not invited.