Is this how interviews/uni is?

[Amioutoftouch]

Ok, so I'm probably going to be told I'm unreasonable and that's fine. I probably am!

2 weeks ago I went for an interview at a university. I already have 2 degrees but have always wanted to train as a therapist and applied to a university course to study Counselling (to get onto further study).

I'm in my thirties, so it's been a while since I was in uni. I think the issue may be me here...I dressed smart (not ott but smart as I wanted to look professional). I suppose I see this as me progressing my career as someone who is already a health professional (although in reality, the qualification level is lower but a different subject to what my Masters is in).

I turned up for the interview and half the group were in trainers, some in jeans. There was a man in a dress and another man in a crop vest top, mini skirt and a load of bright make up. Now I don't care if men wear skirts and dresses if that what they want to wear. I think my issue was just that nobody seemed to make an effort. As a woman I wouldn't have worn a crop top, mini skirt and bright make up...
I felt out of place and before having my individual interview, I just felt a bit put off.
I can't really explain why but this career path is a dream and I need to do this course or equivalent to do further study but it just didn't feel right. Everyone was lovely but I wondered what I walked into.

Is this how it is these days? I know it's a uni interview but it's for a professional course. Am I just out of touch and a bit snobby?

Why is what people are wearing so important to you?

That's a good question and I'm not sure. I suppose I the last time I went to uni and had a job interview people made an effort to look a bit smart/professional. To me I think it made me feel the course wasn't credible...I think. I can't really work out what my issue is. I think I'm also trying to understand why I don't want to do this course at this particular uni.

Judging people on their clothes doesn't bode well for a career as a therapist. You'll have to be a lot more open-minded.

DS has he had recently interviewed for med school. He dressed smartly.

My son went for a uni interview dressed in jeans, t shirt and converse. My daughter didn;t have to interview for her course but if she had it could have been anything from lycra to a mini skirt or jeans.

Uni interviews are usually pretty casual.

I am a lecturer at a very ‘liberal’ university and no I’d say this definitely isn’t the norm at all. Jeans and trainers, yes, though I personally wouldn’t wear them on a day I had student contact (like standing in front of the room teaching, though some do). But for an interview, absolutely not. Everyone would always dress smartly and professionally. Definitely wouldn’t ever be anyone in a crop top of any sort. Was this the interview panel? I would actually wonder if it wasn’t part of the strategy to gauge how you might perform in unexpected situations where you need to manage your emotions and responses under pressure, which you’ll certainly have to do as a therapist.

I’m older than you and I would be thinking they were trying to make a point, a very political point. I would feel deeply uncomfortable about going on that course.

I would expect people at an interview to be smartish? maybe not full suits but smart casual. making an effort.

dressing down like that (the men in crop tops) says "you will give me the place and i will report you for some disncrimination issue if you do not"?

unless they are being sent on the course as some form of work training so not one they particullary fussed if they get on or not?

Well, the first thing you need to look at is your judgemental attitude. If that situation has 'put you off', you're really going to struggle in a therapist role.

They were trying to provoke and make a point I would say.
Bloke in a smartish dress? Fine
Any sex in a mini skirt and crop top ? Not ok

@KreedKafer yes I had considered this too. I may completely open minded generally and I do feel people should be themselves.

I suppose I just expected people to 'dress for the occasion'. For instance if a man wanted to dress in a skirt/dress then thats fine but maybe a smarter version. I just wouldn't have turned up in an outfit like that, regardless of gender.

Even when I went for undergraduate interviews, I made an effort. I suppose because this is a professional related course for older people, I had different expectations (maybe unfair).

@Overtheatlantic I did wonder...it was almost like some wanted to make a stand...

@mindutopia thank you for lecturers perspective, as I wondered if it was just me and maybe the interviewer had already seen several similarly dressed people!

I do appreciate that what someone is wearing won't impact their ability to do the course/level of intellect.

@burnoutbabe this is what I thought. I just had a blouse and skirt but not too OTT. He did seem keen on the course and from what he said (I've just realised this person may identify differeny, so apologies) really wanted a place.

@PossumintheHouse that's a fair point and I'm reflecting on this myself. I will say that I already work in a similar counselling style role and have worked with many diverse groups; including sex offenders, transgender, people with mental health issues. Nothing phases me and I'm generally very accepting.

I think it was just the vibe as a whole that made it seem less professional.

@Hoppinggreen this was my thought. Absolutely fine to wear a skirt/dress but a crop top and mini skirt...

Slightly different but for all DS's degree apprenticeship interviews suits were the norm for the boys.
I would feel a bit like you OP - and I feel very strongly that people should be able to wear what they are comfortable in. But a vest crop top to an interview is a bit much. It may partly be down to the type of course, or they might have been told to wear whatever they are comfortable in if they asked - and then taken it way too literally. But I would feel, like you, that it gives the impression that it's a bit of a mickey mouse course and it would put me off.

I'd assume a uni interview was casual, it's not a job interview.

What I don't get is why applicants' choice of clothing reflects on the course as a whole? Unless they specifically encouraged people to "come as they are" it shouldn't in any way reflect on course professionalism.

I think it would be completely reasonable to think jeans, trainers and crop tops are inappropriate interview wear. It's true though that I'm not sure my son would agree with me. Surely it's up to the course leaders as to whether they are right for the course?

I do think though that you need to interrogate your own reactions here, especially for a counselling course. Dealing with your own feelings about your clients' presentation and behaviour might be an interesting part of the process of training?

I'm thinking about this today as I met up with a dear friend and her spouse, the father of her children. Casual setting so none of this was inappropriate. Spouse is dressing in a more and more feminine-coded way (short floral dress, metallic sandals, jewels) while my friend's clothes and hair are becoming more and more neutral (pale t-shirt, light trousers).

Tbh it is for me to sort out what I feel about other people's clothes, to acknowledge it and deal with it. That doesn't necessarily mean what I feel is wrong, in fact.

@Sue152 I think this is how I feel to be honest. It's interesting because my eldest DS is in comp and they've had huge issues with behaviour. A new head has come in and basically said the girls should wear skirts to knees, no false lashes/nails and no trainers for anyone. A lot of parents were complaining about their child's mental health being effected if they couldn't have a face full of make up, false lashes etc. However I was in agreement with the other parents that it is important to be smart, abide by rules and it stands you in good stead for future work etc but maybe this isn't the case anymore!

Interestingly, when I studied to become an OT, some of my uni colleagues commented on my copper hair saying this is unprofessional and I may need to change it in order to get a job. I also have large tattoos.
I am working for the NHS and we have people of all sorts in my team - dreadlocks, facial piercings... It's all about developing therapeutic relationships with clients. Clients are not homogenous group, clinicians shouldn't be either.

I absolutely agree that it's my issue not theirs. I suppose it's party why I posted, I'm trying to make sense of it all and I knew others would disagree, which is fine
It's definitely something I've been reflecting on.

I suppose it's about standards. I would expect that once on the course people can dress as they like. I maybe just felt a bit out of place.

@Catza I wouldn't think anything of tattoos or bright coloured hair. I have colleagues the same and they look great.
I suppose I was more surprised they hadn't "dressed for the occasion". I wouldn't turn up to a wedding in a crop top, or a wedding dress (unless I was the bride).

The issue is that you're still dwelling on this two weeks later. You shouldn't be focusing on "dressing for the occasion" for the type of course you want to study.

It was more of a thought today as I'm still waiting to hear from the uni. I'm not that bothered really and have more important things going on.

You're mixing up several different things OP.
Trainers and jeans are perfectly acceptable business casual wear - depending on the business. I'm in a corporate, technical role and have presented to Fortune 500 CEOs in them. I wear a nice blouse/t-shirt.

However crop tops, mini-skirts etc are not acceptable. These individuals were applying for a counselling course , maybe their aim was to work with others who cross-dress/identify as women/whatever. So they felt it necessary to highlight this.

Also academics , again depending on the field aren't known for being sharp dressers.