Your medical school interview attire should be professional without being distracting, as this is your biggest chance to put your best foot forward. You want to avoid anything that might distract you or the interviewers, like a glamorous hairstyle or “loud” outfit.
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General Medical School Interview Attire Guidelines
No matter your gender, you can follow these quick rules of thumb to make the most of your interview outfit choices.
Professional
Professional, crisp fashion is a key point of your med school interview attire. Keep these thoughts in mind:
- Being presentable is more important than being trendy.
- It’s a good idea to invest in a nice suit and shoes.
- Well-fitted clothes can be found at affordable prices if you avoid big label brands.
- You may be able to reuse your interview outfit for other professional functions.
- Look for dark colors and conservative fits (more on this later).
Suits
Neither men nor women can go wrong with a timeless suit. These are features to look for:
- Pick something in gray, navy blue, or solid black.
- Avoid pale pastels, bright neons, and distracting florals.
- Get a matte fabric instead of one with shine.
- Avoid crops and skinny cuts – make sure you have room to breathe!
Look Neat
Your appearance doesn’t stop at your outfit. Make sure you:
- Groom your hair and nails.
- Wear appropriate makeup and accessories (more on tips for ladies later).
- Steam or iron your clothes the night before to reduce wrinkles.
- Wear matching socks or tights.
- Remove dirt and stains from your shoes.
Perfumes, Colognes, and Lotions
A little perfume or cologne is okay. But avoid heavily-scented products. These can be distracting to your interviewer.
A heavily-scented lotion or perfume might even be considered rude, as it can be distressing for people with sensitive noses.
- Wear lightly or unscented deodorant.
- Wear light perfume if it makes you feel confident (or skip it entirely).
- Avoid any heavily scented products like lotions or aftershave.
- Use fragrance-free hand lotion and moisturizer on the day of the interview.
Avoid Big Logo Items
You might be tempted to strut into your medical school interview decked out in designer clothes. But not only is this distracting, it’s also deemed tacky in professional med school interview settings.
- Keep your Louis Vuitton bag or belt at home (wear it for celebrations afterwards)!
- Skip other designer accessories like handbags or sunglasses.
- If you have a designer suit, make sure it’s refined instead of flashy.
- Dress modestly rather than trying to show off your wealth or fashion interests.
Related: Medical School Interview Thank You Letter Examples
Med School Interview Outfit Guide for Males
When considering your medical school interview attire’s shoes and suit, you’ll want something polished and dark-colored. Your personal grooming should also be neat and tidy.
These are the top guidelines to follow when looking for a male medical school interview outfit.
Shoes
When you choose your shoes, you definitely want to avoid sneakers, work boots, and other unprofessional attire.
Think about the shoes you might wear to a high-end office job or an important social function.
- Look for dark colors like brown and black.
- Avoid white, bright colors, and non-solid patterns or color schemes.
- Choose something polished (and polish before the interview!)
- Use coordinated, dark-colored dress socks.
- Avoid mismatched or white socks.
The Clarks Men’s Oxford shoe and Wander dress socks are a great place to start. These are our top recommendations for men seeking foolproof interview footwear.
Grooming
Grooming is fairly straightforward. You want to look neat and presentable:
- Shave or groom your facial hair.
- Keep your hair neat.
- Avoid excessive styling, gel, and other products.
For men with longer hair, make sure it looks neat and styled. Here are 3 ways you could wear your longer hair to remain professional and give off “doctor vibes.”
Suit
Your suit itself will draw the most attention. You want something that’s tailored and streamlined rather than purchased off-the-rack.
- Pick a dark-colored suit in black, navy, or gray.
- Avoid patterns like pinstripes and checkering.
- Choose solid colors instead of multi-colored pieces.
- Take your measurements before purchasing, especially if you buy online.
- The fit of your suit can make or break your interview outfit.
Suits like the Jos. A. Bank Executive Collection can be bought online by using your personal measurements. That saves you the stress and expense of an appointment with a tailor.
Don’t Forget to Pack:
- A lint roller to get rid of any hair, fuzz, or dust before the interview.
- A steamer or iron to take care of any wrinkles that pop up on the day of your interview.
Check out our full guide on What to Bring to a Medical School Interview
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Related: How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Yourself
Med School Interview Outfit Guide for Females
Female medical school interview attire needs the same level of professionalism and discretion as male attire. In addition, you’ll need to add some extra consideration when doing your makeup and picking your suit style.
Pant Suit, Skirt Suit, or Dress with Blazer
These three options are the best choices for professionalism. The one you prefer will just depend on your comfort, style, and budget.
Pant Suits
- Avoid the current fashion trends.
- A classic, conservative cut will never steer you wrong.
- Pick dark colors or neutral tones instead of bright colors (save your Hillary pantsuit for the political arena).
- Make sure you check the sizing guide before purchasing online.
- Consider getting both pants and a skirt for your suit for options later on.
Skirt Suits
- Yes, unfortunately, you do still need to wear tights – black or nude is best.
- Thick stockings and nylons are also okay.
- Make sure the skirt reaches the tops of your knees.
- Pencil skirts give you a refined, professional silhouette.
Dresses with Blazers
- Choose a dark or neutral-colored dress with minimal patterning.
- Pick a blazer in navy, gray, or black.
- Avoid shiny materials or glossy belts.
- Use a dress with a high neck cut – avoid cleavage!
- As with skirt suits, make sure the dress reaches your knees.
Our Top Recommendations
The Anne Klein Executive suit comes with both pants and a skirt, so you can choose which look you want on your interview day and also have style options for future med school interviews and events.
The Alfani Pencil Skirt looks great and is a super affordable option to pair with a blouse and blazer.
For more on professional women’s suits that meet medical school interview attire standards, you can check out this guide by Corporette.
Accessorizing
When it comes to accessorizing, minimalism is the name of the game. You don’t want “loud” accessories that draw attention away from your interview. That said, you don’t need to avoid jewelry altogether and can opt for understated items that still add a feminine touch to your more conservative med school interview attire.
- Wear minimalist stud earrings – no dangly designs or large hoops.
- Avoid brightly-colored, clunky jewelry – especially if it makes noise!
- Wear necklaces with small, refined pendants and thin chains.
- Bring a medium-sized purse capable of holding your resumes and whatever handouts you receive that day.
Makeup
Your interview is not a time for Instagram makeup or experimentation. Instead, you should keep things relaxed and professional.
- Use neutral and light makeup tones that highlight your natural features.
- Avoid bright eyeshadows and lipsticks.
- Consider a nude moisturizing lipstick to keep your lips hydrated.
- Use neutral-toned nail polish.
Here’s a quick tutorial that gets into the details and recommendations on interview makeup, including light contouring that still gives off natural and fresh vibes:
Hair
The best hairstyle for you will vary depending on the length and texture of your hair. Pick something simple and no-fuss.
- You shouldn’t need to adjust your hairstyle throughout the day.
- Avoid any styles that might make you fidget with your hair during the interview.
- You can wear your hair up, down, or half-up.
- Avoid excess hair products and styling gel.
Shoes
Your shoes complete your outfit. Chances are that you have a pair of dress shoes already. If not:
- Look for a style that’s black and polished.
- They can be flats or have a low heel, like the Linvale Jerica pumps.
- Avoid high heels and very spiky heels.
- Choose shoes that will be comfortable to wear and walk in for several hours.
- Make sure your selection is close-toed.
Another important tip is to break your shoes in before your interview day. You don’t want to end up with chafing ankles!
Don’t Forget to Pack:
- A lint roller to take care of any debris
- A steamer or iron to smooth any interview-day wrinkles
- A curling iron or hair straightener to help style your hair
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What to Bring to Interview Day
- Clear nail polish: This handy substance can be used to repair tears in your nylons or tights.
- Notebook: You’ll want a way to take notes during the interview – it’s a two-way street, after all.
- Pen: If you’re taking notes, you need something to write with! Make sure you arrive prepared.
- Protein bar: When you’re on the go, you need quick access to protein, especially if you want to be focused!
- Tide pen: If there’s a mishap with your morning coffee or lunchtime sandwich, this portable stain remover can prevent disaster.
- Mints: You’ll keep your breath fresh and have something to chew when the pre-interview nerves set in (Don’t chew them during the interview).
- Moleskin or band aids: You can use these patches to protect your ankles from blisters, which is great if you’re breaking in a new pair of shoes.
- Oil blotting sheets: These help you blot your oily skin, and they’re super helpful if you sweat a lot or are worried about your foundation rubbing off.
- Chapstick: If your lipstick doesn’t moisturize your mouth, Chapstick will keep your lips from becoming dry and cracked – a must before an interview!
What’s Next After the Medical School Interview?
Be sure to write your thank you letter to the medical school admissions within 24 hours of your interview. This can be a simple email sent directly to the interviewers you spoke with, or, if you don’t have their direct email addresses, to the medical school admissions team in general. If you decide that, if accepted, you will attend this medical school, then you should send your medical school letter of intent within one month.
Conclusion
Figuring out what to wear for your medical school interview attire can feel overwhelming. But the process doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems.
Whether you’re a man or a woman, as long as you follow simple medical school interview dress code guidelines, you shouldn’t have a problem. Professionalism and courtesy are key.
Make sure that your outfit is polite and well-considered without being too flashy. You don’t have to stick with the current fashion trends! Rely on tried-and-true conservative methods of dress instead.
Your med school interview is when you get to shine. Let your personality, passion, and expertise do the talking, instead of your clothes.
