Dress Code for Campus Visits?

Question

Hi, I am planning to visit a school, BEFORE i apply. I will be attending class, and then pop into the admissions office and hopefully speak to someone. 

What do you guys think my dress code should be? I am thinking a suit is too formal for class? 

On a related note, what else should I bring with me to campus? I mean i don't have a book bag or briefcase or laptop with me...should I just bring a notebook and "pretend" to take notes? Or can i just bring nothing and listen?

lepium · Answer

I think the suit is a bit too formal, at least at the classes I visited (HBS and Michigan-Ross) the students were not wearing suits. However, if you intend to meet someone from admissions (btw, why? what for?) then the suit is more appropriate.

Take something. Not a laptop, but at least something to take down notes (or to pretend to be ready to take down notes). It'll look bad if you don't. Plus take a small bag or something to file the "papers" you'll be getting, such as: cases, business cards, maps, brochures, etc.

Hope it helps. L.

riverripper · Answer

I was actually thinking of asking this yesterday. There have been some posts in the past about this by searching...though the ones I looked at never gave a direct answer. A lot said to refer to the schools website, which usually states how to dress during an interview but thats it.

I would say a suit would be a bit much, especially sitting in on classes and what not. though I would still say a shirt and tie would be a good presentable image. I guess after the first visit or two you will have a good idea of what to wear for just a visit. 

My wife is going to love having an excuse to make me go shopping for a new wardrobe.

kwam · Answer

First see if this info is already in the school's web page. I visited 2 weeks ago LBS and the if I were wearing suit I would be the only one there, the MBA drop-in is rather informal: https://www.london.edu/mba/contact.html

If there is no information in the web page I would contact them, by e-mail or by phone, and ask, however, I understand that a "business casual" is ok for almost all situations, except for a "business dress" code.

dabots · Answer

i havent visited classes yet, but i have looked at the brochures to see what people wear in class. im thinking polo and khakis are ok?

johnnyx9 · Answer

Here is the definitive answer that you aren't able to find anywhere else:

DON'T WEAR A SUIT!!!!!!!!!

The schools that I visited: BU, BC, Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Stern.

In the classes that I sat in on at all of these schools, I would guess that 50% of the people are "very casual" (like t-shirts, jeans, hooded sweatshirts) and then the other half are a little less casual (jeans and polo, khakis and sweater). I went "business casual" and felt that I stuck out even dressed like that, but that's the standard. The only people wearing suits were the kids who happened to be interviewing that day who also wanted to sit in on a class that day.

I wouldn't plan on stopping by the admissions office. I know some books say it's a good idea, like, "And while you're visiting campus, be sure to pop into the admissions office and introduce yourself." This is horrible advice. It just looks like you're trying too hard and makes you look like you don't have the common sense not to come across like a car salesman. While it's true that it is good to "show a school that you're truly interested" in their program, the proper way to do this is by learning everything you can about their program, and then in subtle ways demonstrating to the ad-coms that you have a deep knowledge of their program in your essays and interviews.

I thought all my class visits were a lot of fun, I'm sure you'll feel the same, best of luck!

aceman626 · Answer

Hm...that's odd...I thought visiting the admissions office is a recommended thing to do. Let them know you're there, and you're making the effort to talk to as many people as you can, bla bla. 

Well lets say I do both...take a class, then visit admissions office. What should I wear? Business casual?

And on the same note, when I do meet the admissions officer, what should I ask or talk about?

johnnyx9 · Answer

Sorry I should clarify: Most schools have you show up at the admissions office before your class visit. So of course you'll be "visiting" the admissions office in that scenario. But not all schools do that. MIT for instance had us wait in this lobby area and we were then greeted by an admissions person before being handed off to student's who escorted us around campus to class and to lunch. So I never actually saw the inside of the admissions office at MIT. 

So I should explain that what I think is a horrible idea, is just showing up in the admissions office for no reason and saying, "Hi, I'm applying to your school and I was hoping I could talk your ear off to make a good impression." 

Similarly, one should be careful when interacting with current students, if you really are interested in asking them about specific things then go for it but if you come across as just asking a laundry list of questions like, "What has been the most challenging thing for you at school?" "Who is your favorite professor?" then it is not going to help you.

lepium · Answer

I think there's 2 different ways for you to meet admissions people: 

a) You attend a pre-scheduled presentation on the program with other potential applicants (this could happen while visiting the school or at your home city for presentations "on the road").

b) You drop by at their office. 

Scenario a) is advisable. Try to get as much info as you can from the programs beforehand and then during the presentation. Be prepared, ask questions AFTER researching their websites and other resources thoroughly. Don't just waste the opportunity by asking stuff that's in the brochures or websites. Ask for some specifics (eg: how to get in touch with alumni with careers like the one you are targetting, specifics about some clubs or activities, etc.). 

Scenario b) I think is what Johnnyx is talking about. I also feel that dropping by without any other objective than introducing yourself and trying to be remembered could be counterproductive. However, if there's no scheduled event for you to attend, then you could try and set up an appointment ahead of time with a specific goal. This way, you would be showing respect for their time and they could always have the option to decline meeting with you, whereas if you dropped by they'd have no other option than face you (and they may even be irritated by your visit).

My case was atypical because I visited schools after applying and interviewing (and even after being admitted at one of them), so at the school where I had been admitted, I was invited by the adcom to "drop and say hi" while I was there. At the other 2 schools, I followed the rules, i.e. I scheduled the activities that could be scheduled via the website (such as class visits, lunch with students, program presentation, etc.) but did not seek any specific additional interaction.

Hope it helps. L.

GMATT73 · Answer

Smart casual. Look like you are a current student, just don't stretch it either way.

riverripper · Answer

Great advice on the going to talk to the admissions people. I always thought that was odd, they probably have enough to do without some random person walking in expecting to get an audience with them. I would assume that for admissions events outside of the school the same business casual standard should hold true.

I know one thing for sure...long sleeves for me.

blahblahGMAT · Answer

What should a prospective applicant wear when they have a scheduled tour/ appointment with the faculty or admissions staff ?

Please note this is not an interview.. but just a personal tour with the admissions campus visit. I am applying for PT MBA..

After reading your comments it looks like a business casual would be fine.. what do you guys think ?

brainhurt · Answer

Having done 8 campus visits, my opinion is that business casual will be fine for you.

Posted from my mobile device

jko · Answer

Definitely have something to take notes with, and ideally actually take some notes; even if it's not related to the subject matter in class.

If you're applying to a number of schools and visiting several of them, a month or two down the road when you're making decisions it might be hard to remember the specifics. However, if you have notes from your campus visits to refer to, it can make things easier.

Take notes on size of class, gender mix, whether the students look super-stressed or laid back, etc. Anything you might be interested in remembering later.

cwhs · Answer

Also it helps with your essays if you haven't written them yet. Usually during visits the adcom highlights what makes a school unique. Additionally, if you put your observations/feelings down on paper, you can use that content for a great "why XYZ school" response.

blahblahGMAT · Answer

After a couple of school visits.. here are my 2 cents..

Dress accroding to the school culture.. So say you are visiting the Gleacher Center in Chicago.. A tie would be appropriate..not because you need it.. but you will fit right in...

If you're visiting a school like Kellogg in Evanston, shirt and Khakis would be enough.

taking the time to dress to the school's culture will help you go a long way.. How to find out ? just ask any current student.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I think business casual is probably what I would recommend here, especially since you may be interacting with admissions or attending an info session

beefphoforthewin · Answer

Same advice: business casual (jeans, shirt or sweater) and you are golden

It's very rare for you to leave a strong impression on school visit days (there will be 20 investment bankers, 15 consultants and 10 non-profits, etc.)

Wear comfortable clothes, ask insightful questions (lots of people will show up unprepared and will ask questions for (1) the sake of asking or (2) not doing enough research before hand) and you will be great!

spc11 · Answer

What kind of questions should one be prepared with?
I am planning to attend a demo class and want to be prepared for surprises too, maybe a random discussion.

So what should one focus on, should I ask any question during the two hour session?? What could be "safe" to ask a current student, general life  The  school, or specific subject?

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I would shy away from answering questions or participating in the classroom discussion unless you are prompted by the professor. This sometimes happens, I believe I was asked a question during a class visit to HBS, so it certainly can happen.I would say most class visits will begin with the professor asking you where you're from and where you work and maybe a fun fact. That is generally the interaction you should expect.

I would say questions outside of the class visit should be really targeted to the person you're targeting so you should ask different questions to the ad comm vs a current student vs a professor. I would say only ask questions you generally want to know the answers too. Your research should inform much of this so avoid asking obvious questions that can be found online. Ask questions about one's personal experience to gain information about how it would relate to your interest in the school and your potential experience at the school. Also, if visiting before you submit an application, it can't hurt to ask questions that help inform your ability to create a successful application

Dress Code for Campus Visits?

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