<p>I am curious what your kids wear to interviews and college visits. At one place last week there was a boy who changed into suit and tie for the interview and then back to shorts for the tour, a girl who interviewed in cutoff jeans and a graphic T, a boy in jeans a button down shirt and a tie and my DD in her sundress and sweater. DD’s school has a formal dress code, so she cannot imagine showing up for even an info session and tour in cutoff shorts, and almost always wears a skirt or dress. She also writes thank you notes to all of her interviewers. Older DD did the same. Is this a product of their formal BS manners or is this the norm?</p>
<p>Headed to the airport in a few hours. Taking DD’12 and DS’14 to see a few schools on th eeast coast. We are going to visit Georgetown, Penn, Brown and Boston College over the next week. We may hit a few others depending on traffic and kids’ interests.</p>
<p>DD’12’s summer program ends tomorrow. Senior year starts in 3 weeks.</p>
<p>Glido- hot as Hades here. Major heat wave and poor air quality. It is actually suffocating. Make sure you have cool clothes, and lots of deodorant! Stay hydrated. If you or anyone in your family have respiratory issues, make sure you take extra precautions to be safe and healthy. Drink lots of fluids. Oh, and have fun!</p>
<p>Glido- in case you would like to know what is going on weather wise:
[Log</a> In | Facebook](<a href=“Redirecting...”>Redirecting...)</p>
<p>1012mom- it really depends on the school’s culture. I can only speak for Smith since I scheduled an interview and did research, but Smith is a more “come as you are” (what they said). As in, if you don’t normally wear a suit and tie (well guys wouldn’t be applying anyway 
) then don’t. I don’t mean keeping in your million piercings and revealing clothes, but they don’t want you to get dolled up for the interview. It also depends on setting (coffee shop, Interviewer’s house, etc)</p>
<p>From the impression Yale gave us about interviews, they’d prefer that suit and tie.</p>
<p>1012mom - </p>
<p>I think interview dress varies by college and by student. My S’10 wore khakis and shirt/tie to most interviews, but I remember him wearing jeans and a T-shirt to Clark University in Worcester, MA and fitting in just fine - the interviewer loved him and he was accepted with a huge scholarship. At Goucher, his khakis and shirt/tie was a little casual compared to the other student we saw interviewing. </p>
<p>I’ve read many places that colleges expect you to dress comfortably and that jeans are OK, but they shouldn’t be torn, faded, sagging, or otherwise crappy jeans. I would imagine there are still schools where the appropriate thing to wear is a jacket & tie. My advice to my son was better to err on the side of a little too dressy than too casually. </p>
<p>And thank you notes - my S’10 didn’t write any despite my advice to. I think students should hand write a thank you note, or “nice to meet you and learn more about your wonderful school” note. </p>
<p>Our heat wave is supposed to end Monday - it can’t come soon enough!</p>
<p>I hope this heat wave end soon, it is bad. I can only imagine what emergency rooms will look like this weekend. Yuck.</p>
<p>D1 got dressed for her interviews (business casual), and she also went with a CV. D2 will have an on campus interview in Sep at Cornell and a tour. She probably will wear a dress with flats. Since she won´t have her application in yet, she will also bring a CV with her. </p>
<p>I am one who do not think jeans (flip flops) are appropriate for any type of formal meeting (interview), and others don´t necessary feel the same. I tell my kids to get dressed just in case they get someone like me. I also advise my kids not to wear big jewelry (earrings) or low cut blouse/dress.</p>
<p>DS wore “good” jeans, neat v-neck pullover, and lace-up dress shoes to his UChi interview (I believe it’s the shoes that pull everything together!). Hopefully, it had the intended effect: S was “himself” but presentable. I can’t imagine schools looking for a suit in 2011; maybe business schools? As for the thank you note, it’s a must imho (demonstrated interest…) but, again, in 2011, I can’t imagine snail mail is required. DS sent emails immediately upon arriving home. I know the only snail mail I send these days are birthday cards and condolence notes. jmho…</p>
<p>D’s has had two (on-campus) interviews, and both times she wore a nice knit shirt and khaki capris. She has a suit, but that seemed a tad over the top for a hot summer day. She seemed to be dressed appropriately. I may make her kick it up a notch for alumni interviews, since I definitely see more formality when I interview, though I wouldn’t count it against the student to be more informal.</p>
<p>All of the tours we have taken have not included interviews during that visit. Most of the kids are in shorts or jeans and parents have worn everything from what I call yard clothes to business casual. D usually wears casual skirt with conservative top and comfortable shoes, no flip flops. After signing in, you basically blend in, no name tags or anything to identify you. We bring water but some schools provided bottled water and we have done some tours in the rain. (Better than the heat!)</p>
<p>Oldfort… call me an idiot, but what is a CV? Is that a resume?</p>
<p>PSM… that is so weird that our boys are so much alike!!! Around here, everyone thinks my S is crazy because he is always wanting to do all this werid stuff and is always going somewhere away from home. As far as the gap year, what is NSLI.Y and YES?</p>
<p>Glido… Have a great trip with your kids!! I wish I could take my DS14 on some of our college visits but it just hasn’t worked out so far. I always wished I had taken my DS12 earlier to college visits. He might have worked harder in HS. Somehow thay visual of college and what it is all about sometimes works wonders for lazy boys.</p>
<p>CV=Curriculum Vitae, which is similar to resume.</p>
<p>I work for a British company, Brits like to refer to resume as CV. Around NE, more people are also calling it CV.</p>
<p>5boys - Google “curriculum vitae.” In US usage, it’s similar to a resume but more suited to the needs of academic types (although I’ve heard MDs use the term as well).</p>
<p>I smiled when I saw the dress question. After months of reading, I de-lurked to ask what my dresses-from-the-grunge-era S should wear to information sessions/tours. Especially in this heat, be comfortable. I think my prize winner might have been the kid at the Iowa information session who wore a t-shirt that said, “Make awkward sexual advances, not war.” </p>
<p>Interviews are another story. Advice varies from Carleton College’s, “Dress casually. Your interviewer may wear a suit, but you don’t have to.” to this entry from a blog done by the Office of Admissions at the University of Rochester: </p>
<p>“Every institution has its own thoughts on dress code; however, you should always go to an interview looking presentable. At the same time, you dont want to look better than your interviewer. For example, at the University of Rochester, the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices have a relaxed summer dress code. In the summer months, the counseling and supporting staff have been given the green light to dress business casual, so keep that in mind when you come to interview with our staff. Be yourself but leave the jeans and other colleges sweatshirts at home.” </p>
<p>I think business casual (not casual Friday casual) is probably a safe bet.</p>
<p>chrissyblu - if your daughter is interested in Yale you should definitely visit and apply. Turning Yale down was the hardest thing for my daughter to do because she loved the kids (most were very down to earth and proud to be intelligent) and the professors who took so much time to meet with her individually and the campus and the way they housed the kids (like Hogwarts). I know a school like Yale doesn’t really need recommendations but I really think it’s worth pursuing.</p>
<p>I think the fact that kids scored in the 600 range were admitted shows that they look for the right kid not just the right scores.</p>
<p>Thanks Oldfort and Steve C!! Is that something that all kids bring to an interview, or only if it is before they have your application?</p>
<p>When D1 was applying to schools, counselor at her private school advised all students to have an one page CV (resume) to bring with them to all alumni interviews. It is convenient because it could be used during the interview, and it could also be used when they are writing up a report.</p>
<p>In D2´s case, it will let the admission people know that D2 is a credible candidate, not just “a favor” to the alumni office. At the interview, D2 won´t need to work her stats into the conversation, so they could spend more time to get to know her as a person.</p>
<p>SUNY application question. SUNY app or common app? Any benefits of one or the other?</p>
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<p>That gives hope to many. Glad to know.</p>
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<p>Did your D1 do that, oldfort? Do interviewers like to see a CV? I thought interviewers assume everyone is qualified and want to evaluate a candidate without knowing any stats.</p>