What to Wear at the Information Session?

Question

A few schools are coming to make presentations in Houston, do I need to wear a suit or would long-sleeves and black pants be acceptable?

Also, what to wear to the MBA Tour and is it even worth attending? What can I expect?

agold · Answer

I went to an info session in LA a few weeks ago. I would say 70% of the people were in business casual (slacks and dress shirt), 25% had suits or sport coats, and 5% showed up wearing t-shirts or other non-business attire (primarily college senior applicants and the creative types).

I would assume this will be the norm. I stick with business casual for these but I may throw on a blazer here and there if I'm in the mood.

I plan to skip the MBA Tour. It seems like every school under the sun attends that thing. I'm not sure if it would add much value.

riverripper · Answer

Most of the people wearing suits are going to be those showing up directly from jobs where they were wearing that all day. Business casual is pretty much the standard look.

isa · Answer

I went to sessions at Chicago GSB and Kellogg; most people there were business casual. A few had blazers and slacks but they were definitely outnumbered. I went the more conservative end of business casual (skirt and button-down) and was fine.

cheers,
ac.

cheers,
ac.

Yahsek · Answer

When I attended a few info sessions last year I went the business casual route. The majority of the people there did the same.

Is business casual OK for campus visits?

IHateTheGMAT · Answer

for campus visits business casual is ok if you are not interviewing. If you are interviewing then you need to wear a suit - even for the class visit and info session parts of the day.

Here's how I see it:
Info Session or MBA Tour - Business Casual
Campus Vist, No Interview - Business Casual
Campus Visit, With Interview - Suit
Alumni Interview - Suit. Many will say that business casual is ok for an alumni interview at a coffee shop or something but I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed. Plus a suit makes you look good, professional and confident so you might as well wear one.

RVD · Answer

business casual. i think a suit is a little too overdressed. in fact, if i was going straight from work and i was wearing a suit, i'd take off he jacket and tie. you want to be approachable and cool, not overly professional.

just don't wear a casual t-shirt. our Wharton events are usually at very nice hotels (e.g. the Penninsula in Beverly Hills, etc.) and you would really stand out if you were that casual.

for interviews, i always wear a suit...even if it's with an alumnus at a coffee shop, etc. it's just better to play it safe.

RVD.

tmino · Answer

For all events without an interview just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Nobody will care if you wear a suit, jeans, or slacks. For sure none of the adcoms will remember your face or what u wore that day and least your name.

aviroop · Answer

dress as you like

there are 50+ students in a room or event. max 2 ad coms. They dont know you nor will remember you.

There is no dress code in information sessions. Having attended all information sessions for almost all the schools, I dont see any difference.

t shirts + jeans, business casual.. anything works as long as it is not ridiculous, obscene or derogatory.

lsuguy7 · Answer

JB what presentations are you going to? I signed up for Wharton but had to cancel due to an emergency that requires me to fly across country. I know I signed up for Yale, and Columbia as well, it is always nice knowing someone there.

jb32 · Answer

LSU, I'm going to the MBA Tour on Thursday, Wharton on Friday, Chicago on the 9th, and Columbia on the 16th. I may go to Stern on September 24th as well. Looks like I will see you at Columbia.

haobv · Answer

Definitely dress properly but I dont think you need to make it too formal. I somehow might choose only a simple suit for work. 
About the tour. I think it deserves a try. At least you know more abt the school. You can meet so there to answer your question more properly, too.

What to Wear at the Information Session?

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