What to wear for University interview

[SnowyLamb]

DS1 has an interview coming up for a course at University (not for a degree course, if you're wondering about the timing).

The invitation specifically says there's no dress code, wear what's comfortable. That would be scruffy, baggy hiking trousers and a heavy rock band t-shirt, which is basically is uniform outside of work. Even at work he wears the same trousers with their regulation polo shirt. He's never been one for following fashion or caring about his appearance, has always prioritised comfort.

What should he wear?

Would help to know what the course and the university was (eg an arts course at a new university would be very different advice than a business course at a business school)

It's a maths foundation course at a top 10 University

Shirt and open necked shirt at the very least. Make a good impression. I'd be inclined to wear shirt and tie. Shoes rather than trainers.

I would say leather shoes, proper trousers and a shirt.

So long as it's clean, they really won't care much.

Some of the PP seem to be ignoring the The invitation specifically says there's no dress code, wear what's comfortable.

A tie would probably make him look a bit eccentric if anything!

I honestly couldn’t care less what an applicant wears for interview, and I can’t imagine that any other academic would either. Just take the invitation dress code at its word.

T-shirt not looking as if it's spent the week on his bedroom floor. And assuming there's nothing remotely offensive about the design - a design that might be ok in the pub or at a rock concert might not be appropriate at an interview.

Honestly it really doesn't matter

I work in university admissions - they won’t care.

I really don’t think they’ll care. I wore jeans and a jumper to my Oxbridge interview.

Something clean and ironed and no offensive logos or images.

As long as he and his clothes are clean and not smelling they won’t care.

Shirt (with collar) and trousers not jeans eg chinos is fine.

Clean with no holes and not too try hard imho. It’s maths not hospitality.

Having done loads of interviews, it doesn't matter at all (although clean is recommended).

Do you do interviews for similar degrees or are you just assuming?

I'm an academic and I've sat on these panels before. I would say:

Smart-ish trousers (chino kind of level, not quite jeans but also not suit trousers); mart/casual shirt with the top/collar button open; casual shoes (not leather shoes you'd wear with a suit but also not trainers).

Absolutely don't wear a tie, he'll look like a right loon.

Most importantly - look/be clean, neat and tidy, good posture, smiling and personality on show.

I would say so long as whatever he's wearing is clean and not actively scruffy (i.e. stained, ripped, overly creased etc) it really doesn't matter. If he wears a shirt and tie he's going to look and feel uncomfortable and out of place. They're assessing his suitability for an academic programme, this isn't an interview for a customer facing or corporate role!

It's a maths foundation course at a top 10 University

As it's a foundation course, they will want candidates to feel at ease & not worry about their clothes / what to wear.

Clean, tidy appearance - clothes & self - are genuinely all that's needed.

Just be himself.
My son wore his Vans, nice Chinos, and a hoodie to his interview. He was comfortable in his own skin and didn't dress as something he's not.
Just be yourself, from head to toe. That's what they want to see and also, if you're dressed as something you're not, you'll feel uncomfortable and that can come across in an interview.

Honestly take the dress code at face value. Please don’t make him wear chinos and a button down shirt! He’ll feel uncomfortable/ not himself.
Jus something clean/ not smelly and inoffensive (ie no offensive slogans or images on his t-shirt.

(I work in HE btw and have done my fair share of admissions interviews/ open days)

Jeans are fine as long as they are relatively boring (no rips, maybe not acid wash, no chains). Chinos or whatever are fine too. Cargo trousers possibly ok if newish with no stains/rips and empty pockets. Any shirt that’s not offensive or controversial that’s in good condition - a clean polo shirt is fine, button down is fine (even with, gasp, short sleeves if your son prefers), maybe not a band t shirt, shoes in good condition, not flip flops and no muddy trainers.
If you’re worried, take him to a supermarket with a good clothing selection and go for plain trousers and polo or shirt.

www.fatface.com/men/clothing/trousers-chinos/modern-coastal-chinos/970030.html?dwvar_970030_color=green%20sage&cgid=men-clothing-trousers-and-chinos#start=4
This would be perfect and sounds pretty close to what your son likes to wear already.

Yes, the chinos bother me. He'd be almost in fancy dress as a MC office worker on dress down Friday, which is so far away from what he is. Ni one we know dresses like that, ever. He'd be more comfortable in a suit than that!

So his usual clothes, but a bit of effort to pick the smarter ones and no violent images on the t-shirt?