School leaver college interview, what to wear?

sneezyboots

I find this thread interesting as my brother recently attended his college interview. He wore trousers, shirt and jumper (no tie).

One of the first things my mum commented on afterwards was the amount of students who turned up in jeans etc. We were both very surprised.

It is an interview- I would always say go smart and found it weird others didn't think the same.

Not sure if it was the smart clothes or what but only 2 people walked away with places on the day and he was one of them. Everyone else was told the college would be in touch.

squibbs25

Very interesting points you both raise daisy and sneezy.

This is one of the reasons I posted on here for these pov's.

I think it should be thought of as a formal interview but not sure if I'm too out of touch.

He can always wear school trousers but school shirts are all logo'd along with the blazer.
Maybe that might be a more sensible option as it really is smart looking.
I thought maybe school uniform was a no-no!
His dad says smart casual :-)

peachyprice

squibbs25 wrote: »

Very interesting points you both raise daisy and sneezy.

This is one of the reasons I posted on here for these pov's.

I think it should be thought of as a formal interview but not sure if I'm too out of touch.

He can always wear school trousers but school shirts are all logo'd along with the blazer.
Maybe that might be a more sensible option as it really is smart looking.
I thought maybe school uniform was a no-no!
His dad says smart casual :-)

All the college interviews we went to followed the same format and weren't interviews in the usual sense.

There was a general group talk about the college and A Level/Btec courses, they were then split into A Level and B Tec groups and taken to waiting areas, then there were tables set out in a room with subject tutors who called the 'interviewees' over, went through their exam results and entry requirements for the course they wanted. People who already had their results and were qualified for the course were given a place there and then, people who wouldn't get their results until August were given a provisional place, a few that were unlikely to qualify for the courses they wanted were advised to choose something else. And that was it, in and out.

peachyprice

sneezyboots wrote: »

Not sure if it was the smart clothes or what but only 2 people walked away with places on the day and he was one of them. Everyone else was told the college would be in touch.

More likely to be that they didn't have/weren't expected to get the required grades than what they were wearing.

dibuzz

My youngest 2 went to a "good" college where a lot of the pupils were rich and posh (except mine )
I didn't see anyone in a suit either time I went, most wore smart casual. My son wore newish fitted jeans and a long sleeved shirt and skinny tie which was what he would wear to go out (eg for a meal) at the time but there were a lot of smart jumpers and polo shirts and even scruffy jeans and T shirts so whatever he feels comfortable in will be fine.

patchwork_cat

Few years ago now, but DS wore smart casual, black jeans, plain T shirt and shallow v necked jumper, IYKWIM.

19lottie82

I don't think a suit or a tie is required but it would be nice of your son to look like he has made an effort to look smart. It shows that he cares about getting accepted onto the course, rather than a "just rolled out of bed, not really that bothered" attempt.

FR_262

I agree with lottie.

Look smart, look clean, smell nice. Give a good impression.

greenorange

When I had a college interview a few years ago, I wore black chinos, black vans and a smart casual shirt. I didn't feel out of place. No one had a suit on, and some were in t-shirt/jeans.

squibbs25

greenorange wrote: »

When I had a college interview a few years ago, I wore black chinos, black vans and a smart casual shirt. I didn't feel out of place. No one had a suit on, and some were in t-shirt/jeans.

This is more along the lines of what ds and hubby are thinking.

Peachy the letter states allow up to 2 hours for the interview :eek:
:rotfl:

Welcome to the real world kids.............