Dress Attire for Campus Interview

[ted23]

For those who have done campus interviews, what is the implicit dress code?

[YaSvoboden]

At least business casual. A lot of people do business formal, but it honestly isn't necessary. Button up shirt, slacks and dress shoes is fine for a man, but a suit is still a good option.

 

I can't speak intelligently about women's clothing, but dressy business casual is good.

[XanthusARES]

If it's an interview, I would suit up. You can rarely go wrong with suiting up. Worst case scenario is you'll be the best dressed person there.

 

I also can't speak to women's clothing. Whatever the women's equivalent of a suit is, is your best bet.

 

If you're flying in early and going to do some socializing beforehand, I would suggest classy business casual. Slacks and a button down, if it's cold go ahead and throw a sweater over top of that and look like a model.

[CareerChange]

Take a look at who you're meeting. If you're meeting senior people in the field or the school, there's a good chance they'll be in a suit. I would DEFINITELY wear a sport coat at a minimum.

[ted23]

I considered as much. Also, what sort of questions do they ask at a campus interview? Are they any different to the skype interviews?

[TaxGal]

I would casually ask for an itenerary then you can better judge how to dress. For my campus visit although I wasn’t being interviewed other were, we walked to breakfast, drove to school, walked to lunch and walked to happy hour and it was in the 80’s that day both guys were carrying their jackets sweating. Most places should have no problem telling you the agenda then look at the weather and decide on what’s appropriate.

[CareerChange]

Also, what sort of questions do they ask at a campus interview? Are they any different to the skype interviews?

 

Every on campus interview I went on also involved a discussion of which other schools I was considering and where I was in the application process. By the time you're at the on-campus interview, it's simultaneous evaluation of you and whether you'll fit, and a chance for them to sell you on why you should accept if an offer comes. There was also LOTS of time for questions...I was completely out of things to ask by the end of the day and was recycling questions.

 

Lots of standard "Why do you want a PhD?" "Why XXX department?" "Why this school?" "Would you be comfortable in XX city?"

[doingfine]

Business casual is fine. Slacks, jacket, collared shirt. Most likely nobody cares.