Interview Attire

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed for Yale for 20+ years. We are told not to judge clothing, and kids show up in everything from whatever they wore to school (ripped jeans, sweats, etc) to suits. Kids should absolutely not go shopping for an interview outfit. These are teenagers, and colleges know that not everyone can afford to or wants to buy something new.

Wear something clean without offensive messages on it (no political shirts/hats) or anything too revealing. She'll be find in leggings or jeans and a sweater or plain t-shirt.

I used to interview for Yale too! It was a while ago, so I don't remember that direction. But you really don't think it makes an impression one way or another if a student makes an effort to dress nicely? I'm not talking about a suit here for high school students, but khaki or black pants, shirt or blouse or nice sweater.

[Anonymous]

I've been interviewing for Georgetown for ~18 years. I would say roughly 50% of the kids I interview these days wear jeans. I think for them, hard pants are considered dressy.

That being said, I recommended to my son that he wear khakis/chinos. (I would say the same thing if I had a daughter.) Also, a collared shirt.

Good luck to your child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed for Yale for 20+ years. We are told not to judge clothing, and kids show up in everything from whatever they wore to school (ripped jeans, sweats, etc) to suits. Kids should absolutely not go shopping for an interview outfit. These are teenagers, and colleges know that not everyone can afford to or wants to buy something new.

Wear something clean without offensive messages on it (no political shirts/hats) or anything too revealing. She'll be find in leggings or jeans and a sweater or plain t-shirt.

I used to interview for Yale too! It was a while ago, so I don't remember that direction. But you really don't think it makes an impression one way or another if a student makes an effort to dress nicely? I'm not talking about a suit here for high school students, but khaki or black pants, shirt or blouse or nice sweater.

You're expected to write a report that discusses your conversation and to rate the student in comparison to other Yale applicants. An interviewer in 1990 might judge based on clothing. But if you interview 5-8 kids a year for 20 years, you see a whole range of outfits and they do not reflect on the student's ability to hold a conversation, speak about their favorite classes or discuss their interests. That's what's going into the report.

Dirty, sloppy dressing reflects poorly. But I would hope that no interviewer judges kids based on what a typical 18 year old wears on a daily basis.

[Anonymous]

My daughters wore skirt and blazer, heels. Professional attire

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughters wore skirt and blazer, heels. Professional attire

Another interviewer - this is atypical

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year, my son had a tour followed by an interview. He wore sneakers, khakis and a button down, and threw a hoodie on over top. After the tour finished, he dashed outside to the car to put on a jacket and tie and swap sneaks for dress shoes.

An admissions staffer who saw the before/after commented favorably on the effort he put into dressing up for the interview portion. Sometimes the nonverbal messages mean a lot.

He was admitted.

Context matters. What school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip do not wear clothing from a different school than the one where you are interviewing.

No one is that dumb.

[Anonymous]

Fwiw, our oldest got into Yale and he interviewed with pink hair since all of his soccer team had dyed their hair for playoffs.

[Anonymous]

Long time Ivy interviewer. Jeans are fine. There is a lot of implicit bias though everywhere so I’d try to look attractive, but no need to be fancy at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughters wore skirt and blazer, heels. Professional attire

Maybe for a conservative Southern school, but not for the rest of the colleges & universities. Jeans are preferred if meeting at a coffee shop such as Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed for Yale for 20+ years. We are told not to judge clothing, and kids show up in everything from whatever they wore to school (ripped jeans, sweats, etc) to suits. Kids should absolutely not go shopping for an interview outfit. These are teenagers, and colleges know that not everyone can afford to or wants to buy something new.

Wear something clean without offensive messages on it (no political shirts/hats) or anything too revealing. She'll be find in leggings or jeans and a sweater or plain t-shirt.

I used to interview for Yale too! It was a while ago, so I don't remember that direction. But you really don't think it makes an impression one way or another if a student makes an effort to dress nicely? I'm not talking about a suit here for high school students, but khaki or black pants, shirt or blouse or nice sweater.

You're expected to write a report that discusses your conversation and to rate the student in comparison to other Yale applicants. An interviewer in 1990 might judge based on clothing. But if you interview 5-8 kids a year for 20 years, you see a whole range of outfits and they do not reflect on the student's ability to hold a conversation, speak about their favorite classes or discuss their interests. That's what's going into the report.

Dirty, sloppy dressing reflects poorly. But I would hope that no interviewer judges kids based on what a typical 18 year old wears on a daily basis.

Well I hope not too, but some might. And it certainly gives a better impression if you dress up a little to show you're taking it seriously.

[Anonymous]

While it's probably fine to wear jeans, I'd suggest something a little nicer, at least non-jean, non-athleisure pants.
 
My kid interviewed for Georgetown at a suburban coffee shop. The interviewer wore a button down shirt and khakis or dress pants. My kid wore a dress shirt with dress pants and a tie. I think it worked out nicely. Might have helped his confidence a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long time Ivy interviewer. Jeans are fine. There is a lot of implicit bias though everywhere so I’d try to look attractive, but no need to be fancy at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip do not wear clothing from a different school than the one where you are interviewing.

No one is that dumb.

Oh yes they are lmao.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Long time Ivy interviewer. Jeans are fine. There is a lot of implicit bias though everywhere so I’d try to look attractive, but no need to be fancy at all.

I know. I don’t judge people that way in interviews but I’ve been trained in implicit bias and it happens everywhere at all levels. I’m actually hoping people read this and check their own bias when conducting interviews. When we parents applied, a lot of these schools wanted photos. I don’t think the schools are actively considering that now, and interviewers certainly aren’t asked to evaluate that. But I’d make extra effort to be clean and presentable.
Also, if an in person interview, reschedule if you’re sick. People don’t like contagious people and studies show you’ll likely be perceived poorly in the interview, regardless of performance.