I’m a girl, by the way

I’ve been hearing that Hawaii is much more laid back, and that I should dress in the “Aloha style”–but I’m not sure what that means, exactly!

I’ve got a skirt suit and a pant suit, but I feel like both would be too formal. Should I just wear the slacks or dress skirt from the suits with a button-down, without the blazer? Is a short-sleeved blouse okay? Do I wear pantyhose with the skirt? What kind of shoes should I wear?

Sorry for all of the questions–but thanks in advance!!

You wear a suit if you’re a man and a formal business attire for a woman. It’s no different than anywhere else.

I live in Hawaii. You never show up to a professional interview wearing aloha attire. You will make a very bad impression that you’re not really serious about the interview.

I'm applying this summer – so I've already completed any extracurricular projects that would be put on the application.

How can I make myself stand out among the other candidates during the application process?

Is it appropriate to email the school to introduce yourself as a candidate?

You can try e-mailing, but I would expect you'll get a response that informs you about the application process. But what the heck..go for it.

My best advice for 'standing out' is to write a knock out essay. Keep in mind, these essays are like a "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" to admission committees in that everybody is displaying strengths, activities and ernest desires. If you have good grades and a good MCAT score, don't waste the space saying that–it's obvious. If you have a weakness, don't make that the focus, but do explain it. A lot of applicants tanked courses in their freshman year and the people on admission committees know it and as long as you picked your self up, no harm, no foul.

NEVER use slang terms in an essay. This isn't a text message. Use proper grammar, check your syntax and spelling and get it proof-read for readability.

Something that I have done (I used to write technical papers) is to review the document through they eyes of somebody who opposes you. Take a hard critique of your writing looking for a reason to reject you and you'll write a better essay.

Good luck!

I have an interview coming up… probably the best chance i have for this academic year. My interviewer has a Ph.D., and not an MD, which is lucky for me because the stronger part of my application is my research experience, my authorship on a publication, and my current employment in research at a venture capital backed pharmaceutical company. Even my Masters Thesis overlaps considerably with my interviewers research interests and “selected publications” (on his lab’s website)! This is such a lucky break for me! I want to go into this interview and hit a home run without appearing overconfident. what major pitfalls and common faux-pas’ should I make sure to avoid as I prepare for what is likely to be my best and last shot at medical school?

Congratulations on your med school interview. You’ve made it this far on the strength of your background and your application materials. Please do not think, however, that your admission is a “done deal” at this point. You now must convince the admissions panel that you really are the ideal candidate for their school. You can have the best application packet in the world and still be rejected for admission if your interview goes badly.

One thing I will suggest is that you not count on your interviewer focusing only on research. I am a Ph.D. in the basic sciences and I frequently ask questions related to a candidate’s interest and motivation for a medical career. You have an extraordinarily strong background in research, which is great, but you aren’t applying for a research position. You must demonstrate that you have an interest in medicine, the ability to think critically, and also a compassion that will benefit your future patients.

That being said, here are some of the major pitfalls I’ve observed with our candidates:

1) If you’ve done a research project or worked in a research lab, be able to describe what you’ve done. Otherwise it’s just an unsubstantiated line on a piece of paper.

2) Ditch the canned answers. There are thousands of websites devoted to what to say at these interviews. Don’t use them. Use the questions, but clarify for yourself (in advance) what YOUR answer will be if this question is asked. I assure you, we’ve heard all the standard responses. You lose BIG points if you come off as not being genuine.

3) Don’t address any of the physicians or Ph.D.s by their first names unless invited to (this is a dramatic lack of professionalism).

4) If asked a thinking or scenario-type of question, answer the question. (You’d be surprised at how many people try to wiggle out of an answer because they don’t/can’t think of anything). The point is to see how well you think on your feet, not whether you are giving the correct response.

5) If you are flying, pack your suit (or dress suit if you are a woman) in your carry-on luggage. Lost luggage is not an excuse for inappropriate dress and may cost you your spot in next years’ class.

Those are some of the major ones. I’d say #2 is really the biggest one. You really want to be yourself in these interviews and let your personality shine through.

Good luck!!!

Each interview is unique, so it's impossible to know before hand what you will be asked. But the two questions asked in just about every interview is what are you motivations to pursue a career in medicine and why have you selected that school.

Research your school choices carefully. Each school prides itself for its particular focus on medicine, so your choice(s) ought to be aligned with the school's.

I was thinking about wearing just dark slacks, a belt, dress shoes, and a white dress shirt, with a watch as an accessory.

I’m 20, turning 21, but I have quite a young looking face for my age, as if I’m still a teenager; I have a sport coat and ties, but they really don’t look right on me, making me look like a 13 year old boy in a men’s business suit.

Still, I’m worried my dark slacks/white shirt combo won’t be viewed as formal or professional enough; You’ll have to take my word for it, but I’m an attractive person – I’m worried that I’ll inadvertently give off the impression that I’m there to get a date, instead of trying to clinch my place in med school, if I go tie-less.

While I’m at it, I might as well ask if I should go with a short, clean haircut, or style my medium-length hair in some formal fashion. I’d really prefer to go with my casual hairstyle, since I feel that it best suits the shape of my face, but again, is it too casual?

I understand that you are concerned about looking young, but consider that some of the people conducting the interview may consider your casual dress being representative of a casual attitude towards your application process and medical school in general.

Most, if not all of the other applicants will be wearing at least coats if not matching suits. This is like an important job interview and you should dress in a way that conveys a serious outlook towards your future.

Regarding your hair, the length is not as important, as the grooming. If you hair has a tendency to be unruly then you should consider a shorter style, but if it is nicely groomed at your normal length then it should be fine.

Mother M has suggested that your responses are more important than your attire, and this is true. But if your attire is deemed inappropriate by the interviewer, then they may be distracted from your responses. Once you are a physician, you can dress as you like, as a potential student you still need to conform. At least until you have an acceptance letter in your hand.

nice navy blue suit with white shirt.
good luck