University Interview - Medicine -What to wear?

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DS1 is wondering what he should wear to his forthcoming university interviews to study medicine? (Asuming of course he gets some interviews.)

Deputy Headmaster says cheap shiny dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie. I think it's a bit middle management estate agent yuk and will make him feel terribly uncomfortable and wrooong. He just wouldn't look himself (he'd ike to wear orange shorts and a t-shirt).

Dep Headmaster said my idea of a pair of smart navy moleskins, a v good smart shirt and a jumper (take tie in pocket and decide at last minute) is too Planter's Rig.

Please help him, lovely Mumsnetters as I have no idea.

[CMOTdibbler]

TBH I think suit, shirt and tie is most appropriate, but a coloured shirt and tie (but as long as it isn't a novelty one in any way shape or form) is more suitable than white shirt and conservative tie.

[mumblechum]

Hmm, definitely NOT orange shorts & T shirt!

For any professional environment the applicant should look, well, professional, and though a suit would, imo, be over the top, smart trousers and a smart, ironed shirt would be fine imo.

WTF does Planter's Rig mean?

Good luck!

My ds has his heart set on medicine too but is a few years behind yours.

[nevergoogledragonbutter]

Yes well the deputy headmaster isn't a doctor now is he?

I think it would be nice to express himself in a smart way. I have no real idea how though, I don't know about mens clothes.

[mumblechum]

I was reading a book about training to be a doctor the other day and it said that although for the first couple of years at med school it's fine to look casual, once you're in a patient facing role you are expected to wear a shirt and tie.

[stitchtime]

i thougt a lot of boys were quite comfortable in sutis by that age? maybe i am being anive, but a lot of them wear suit type things to school, so should be used to them.
why would suit typet hing need to be cheap? i think conservative, rather than expressing himself through his clothes is the way to go. he wants them to remember him for him, not the orange shorts he was wearing.

[titchy]

Smart trousers, smart shirt and tie. Never mind how 'good' (I assume you mean good as in a designeer-type?), the shirt is - a smart M&S one is fine. But definitely a tie. Jumper optional.

And WTF is Planters Rig?

[ReducedToThis]

LOL He wouldn't actually wear orange shorts!

Titchy - I actually meant 'good' as in decent, non-threadbare, with all its buttons, etc. And 'smart' as in one with a proper collar - not one of those cutaway collars that make everyone look like a nightclub owner.

He does wear a suit to school but he hates it. Discards the jacket and rolls up his shirtsleeves as soon as he arrives at school.

[BonsoirAnna]

I agree completely with the OP that a cheap suit and tie that does your DS no favours and will make him feel diminished is not a good idea.

I don't think a jumper is right, though. Non-matching trousers and jacket would be better.

[ReducedToThis]

I don't know what Planter's Rig is. It's military, I think. The Dep Headmaster is ex Sandhurst and is always exceptionally stiff smart looking. Always has mirror-shiny shoes for example.

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BonsoirAnna - I was hoping you would come along with some sartorial advice.

I think the idea of smart trousers and non-matching jacket is a good one. Any links?

And shoes? Brown brogues?

[BonsoirAnna]

Shoes are a nightmare for teenage boys . I would look for the shirt and trousers first, and buy shoes to match whatever you have found and that he likes and feels comfortable wearing.

What shops have you got available? Because you will definitely, definitely need to try things on!

[hannahsaunt]

Jumper doesn't sound good.

Most Drs in hospital wear smart chino-type trousers and lovely shirts and definitely NO ties (infection risk) and by that stage shirt sleeves stay mostly rolled up.

I would go with the dark blazer, beige chino type look with/without tie. Preppy rather than estate agent.

[BonsoirAnna]

I would avoid beige chinos if you can. I think darker, slimmer fitting trousers are more up to date.

[belgo]

Dark smart trousers, smart shirt and tie. Doctors tend to be rather conservative when it comes to professional clothes for interviews.

I know doctors don't wear ties whilst working, but this is an interview.

[ReducedToThis]

I think he's likely to be called up for interview in November.

On the Cambridge website, it says there is no need to wear a suit. For example.

[mumblechum]

Just out of noseyness, which university is he applying to?

DS has been reading good things about Bristol and Edinburgh. His grandfather qualified in Edinburgh but its too far away!

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Bristol is in the bottom third of Universities for medicine, according to the most recent Times University league table (which measures student satisfaction and research amongst other things).

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He hasn't made his final four choices. He did extremely well in his UKCAT yesterday which helps enormously.

[mumblechum]

Oh, didn't realise Bristol not a good choice! DH and I have been encouraging him on the basis that Clifton's quite pretty and not THAT far away

[marialuisa]

Having been on Med School admissions panels either the jumper or the suit is fine. There will be kids in jeans, some of whom may be offered places. Inappropriate attire may have made us laugh but it wasn't a big deal (thinking of girl in thick make-up, denim mini skirt and huge platforms).

[margotfonteyn]

I'm sure they are not that bothered about what they wear, as long as it is reasonable!

More important to be there on time and know what they are talking about when interviewed.

[ReducedToThis]

ah interesting. But school are adamant all university interviews require a suit and tie.

The Deputy Head sent me an email and forgot the apostrophe in Planter's Rig. I'm wondering whether to reply asking him if attire or grammar is more indicative of a lapse in standards in educational establishments? But he would probably make me march round the quadrant naked, as an example to the other students and parents.

[ReducedToThis]

Mumblechum - I think they are all good choices probably for medicine. Interestingly, Bristol had very low student satisfaction though which is strange. I thought it would probably be lovely.

[ReducedToThis]

Bump for the evening crew.

[Libra]

I interview students (although not for medicine). I see them wearing all sorts of clothes.
Like the idea of smart trousers and separate jacket. Tie optional - no good if he spends the entire interview pulling at it.

I am more conscious of nervous tics than of what they are wearing as long as it is not outrageous. Not overly keen on piercings!