Pre-Interview Social Events

Good question. For ex// when someone wrote that the dinner the night b/f the Mayo interview everyone had suits. Is this just staff or students as well? If so, how did students know? Besides if I spill on my suit the night b/f the interview, what am I supposed to wear for the interview? Y'all know I only own one suit. Casual it is.

For the Mayo interview it was pretty easy to decide because they told you business attire for the evening event which was the same thing they suggested for the interview day. It was also nice that we went to a bar where there was no smoking (actually rochester does not allow smoking in any place that serves food). Unless you want to wear a bib, I would suggest avoiding wings. Otherwise, I was not overly concerned because I just shed the suit jacket when I was eating and had a nicely pressed shirt waiting for me in the hotel. For the rest of the inteviews, I plan to wear "business casual" attire (kahkis, a nice shirt, possibly a sport coat which you can always take off) if not specified as that was someone's suggestion who went through the process last year. If in doubt I would just pick up the phone and make a call since the program contacts should know the dress code. Just my thoughts. I am sure we will all be looking about equally geeky and uncomfortable.

PS: Piggy, I would definitely wear your suit to the evening before event at Mayo unless you want to look and feel out of place. Just bring another tie and you will be good to go.

Is the evening event totally recommended? Anyone not attend? Would U dump another good interview just to be at the Mayo social?

Damn these interview dates STINK! Gotta suck up red-eye flights just to get from one to the next.

The evening event was pretty low key. I am not sure if anyone will post that they missed the event, but there was around 36 interviewees on the first date and from eyeballing the room I would say that almost all of them were probably there (but it was such an early date that I dont imagine anyone would have had a conflict). Since I am in the same boat as you, I do not know if it has any impact at all on your eventual ranking with their program. However, the formal part of the evening is more a meet & greet with faculty and residents, and I would be impressed with any individual who could meet 36 anxiously smiling faces and remember a darn thing about them that would effect their rank. On the flip side, during the part of the evening at the bar (which went relatively late - we saw the Pistons/Pacers brawl live) there was a lot more time to get to know the residents (I dont believe any faculty were present) and for them to get to know you. You could definitely show up late and still get some benefit from the event. If you are really concerned, you could call the contact person. She is very pleasant and I am sure could help you guage the importance for ranking if any. Probably the more important aspect of the evening event was getting to know everyone and getting the inside scoop in a non-threatening environment. It was nice to find out that the residents actually are not superhuman and all seemed to be good people. However, there is also a lot of time to meet the residents and faculty on the interview date. Unless you hear that it affects ranking, I personally would not burn a good interview to go to the social unless I either was sitting on a whole pile of interviews or you know that Mayo will be high on your list. I have to admit I was immensely impressed with the program and felt like Rochester could actually be a plus if you like the small town, midwest lifestyle.

Hopkins suggested the following for the pre-interview dinner when I asked by email:

"business casual; sport coat/no tie; polo shirt; sweater vest"

Any one else know the suggested atire for programs you emailed?

It's a good thing I didn't apply to Hopkins b/c Carlton has all my cardigans in Bel Aire.

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Seriously, they suggested a "sweater vest"? That's pretty funny.

I think anyone showing up to a social (other than Hopkins maybe) in a sweater vest should be given a donkey punch!

YES or NO? If I only own one sweater should I sacrifice it and tear the sleeves off for the Hopkins interview?

YES or NO? If I only own one sweater should I sacrifice it and tear the sleeves off for the Hopkins interview? This whole interview process is just full of so many difficult life decisions.

Undoubtedly, YES