You might have seen in the Student Handbook that DMU has a dress code. While this exists in the handbook, it is not heavily enforced in the real world. Students do occasionally show up to class in flip flops and gym shorts, but I encourage you to make the effort to at least put on jeans and sneakers instead. With that said, I would say that DMU attire is pretty casual and relaxed overall, at least in 1st and 2nd years. Wearing jeans and a polo to class now will make the transition to clinic attire that much easier come your 3rd year. It also gives a better impression for campus visitors and guest lecturers.
If there is specific attire required for a lab, it will be mentioned in the course syllabus. A white lab coat and scrubs is required for anatomy lab. They’re not terribly expensive, so I bought two so I could easily switch them out and wash them if they were getting too gross. You will also usually wear scrubs for simulations and some off-site rotations like the VA, so it is helpful to have a few pairs of scrubs in your wardrobe. You can have whatever style, color, brand, etc. that makes you happy.
Professional attire, including your white coat, is required anytime you are representing DMU at an off-campus event, shadowing a physician, doing a SPAL, or seeing patients in the clinic. Try to start building this wardrobe now—if you wait until you absolutely need it, you might have an expensive shopping trip on your hands. For men, this means a button-down shirt, tie, dress pants, and casual/dress shoes (but no athletic shoes!). Women should wear a dress or a nice top with dress pants or a skirt, and nice flats or heels. A good rule of thumb that was shared with me for deciding if something is appropriate for clinic is that if you have to think about it, it’s probably not okay. Additionally, if you wear nail polish, it’s all or nothing. Once it starts to chip, nail polish should be removed. If you need some ideas or pointers, you can always check out how the 3rd years and clinicians dress.
From the kitchen of Ali D'Andelet
DMU attire