Senator Nomination Interview

Hello All,

I was selected to have an interview with (CT) Senator Dodd's nomination selection committee tomorrow.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or knows someone who went to the interview last year. I just feel really anxious/nervous because I am not sure how it will go, how many people will be there, etc.

-Thanks

1. Be yourself. You have made it this far for a reason.

2. Be honest. I interview lots of job applicants every year, conduct promotion boards, etc. If you are not honest it shows.

3. Dress appropriately. Think of it as your biggest job interview ever.

4. Listen to the question and ask for clarification if you need to.

5. Think about your answers before you just blurt out what you think they want to hear. A thoughtful and sincere answer will tell them how important this is to you.

6. If you have questions about their process, write them down and ask first if you may inquire about how they will proceed. That way you won't forget and leave yourself wondering after it is all over.

7. Again, be yourself. You are trying to make an honorable commitment to serve your country. They understand and appreciate that (and so do we).


Knock 'em dead.

Thanks

Spanky,

Thank you very much for the advice, I actually do feel a lot better now believe it or not. I just know that this is a huge deal and I don't want to blow, which I'm sure I won't.

I was very nervous before my NROTC officer interview but I actually ended up really enjoying speaking with the officer who interviewed me.

I just feel/know that this interview will be on a completely different level. Thanks again for the help.

By the way, a suit would be acceptable right?

-Gatchman54

The interview is about fifteen minutes. Spanky is correct on all points. They are not trying to trap you. Suit, Sports Coat and slacks or acceptable normal business attire is OK. They run a lot of kids through on Saturday and Sunday. You will sit in the conference room until they call your name for your interview. It is not on a different level so don't get nervous. Be yourself. See you tomorrow. We have an interview at 30 Lewis Street also.

Thanks Again

AF6872,

Thanks for the info about the meeting, I went there to drop off my nomination supplement materials. It didn't seem like a very big place. Now all I have to worry about is finding a place to park...

I'm scheduled for around 5:00pm, so if your son/daughter has an interview around then I will see you there! Thanks again.

Interview

Hey,

I had my interview earlier this evening and I think it went really well. Just wanted to thank Spanky58ggpt and AF6872 for the advice/information, it really helped me during the interview. Everything was just like you said it would be.

-Gatchman54

Son did his at 9:00 AM. About five applicants at that time. Then off to hockey for the younger one. He thought he did well but then again he and his sister have done this before so he was prepared. Good Luck!

Sorry I didn't get to this thread before your interviews - I was busy watching Navy thrash Notre Dame

Just for your information, my Plebe interviewed with Sen Dodd last year and was scheduled for Lieberman the following weekend. But on Tuesday she got a call from Lieberman's staff telling her congratualtions on receiving a nom from Dodd. (She had a LOA so no need for more then one nom.)

What I'm getting at is the staffs make their decisions and share their lists quickly. Hopefully, you'll both hear soon. Good luck.

Thought Liberman went first last year? No problem. Yes they share their information and request that you withdraw if you receive a nomination from the other Senator. Daughter had a LOA and nomination from Senator Lieberman and Congresswoman Johnson. I don't think Represantitive and Senate office coordinate although it seems that Senate offices in Connecticut do. She withdrew from Senator Dodd interview and recieved a congratulatory letter from his office. You can get two from Connecticut but they don't like to give three.

Lieberman Interview

Hello,

I received an email inviting me to an interview with Senator Lieberman's selection committee in November. Does everyone who applies to his office receive an interview?

Also osdad, your plebe found out about his nomination the Tuesday after his interview? That's pretty quick. Hopefully I receive notification that soon!

To AF6872, when I arrived at the meeting there were four or five other guys in the waiting room all seeking nominations to West Point.

I'm a bit nervous, I am 3 Q'd, have a Presidential Nomination, and have received a scholastically qualified letter, but still haven't heard anything (LOA or Appointment-wise) from the Academy. My main concern is my SAT score in math. I got a 570 when the middle 50th percentile was 600 last year. I get my new scores this week so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

osdad said:

(She had a LOA so no need for more then one nom.)

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Other than the fact that by not pursuing all nomininations to which she was eligible, she was not following USNA directives.

Problem one is that not all MOC staffs co-operate that closely on noms; the general tenor of relations between the offices may play a role in this regard. Also, a candidate's viability may vary from slate to slate depending upon the other candidates on each slate and relative overall ranking. Finally, Mongo is correct; it is strongly recommended that candidates pursue all nominations for which they are eligible - including the Vice Presidential nom ( I have seen it invoked at least twice for highly competitive candidates). Please don't take such things as noms for granted.

Mongo said:

Other than the fact that by not pursuing all nomininations to which she was eligible, she was not following USNA directives.

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All nominations were pursued - vigorously - up to the point where one was obtained. It was the nominating sources - not my Plebe - who made the determination to cancel her interviews. When asked directly, they said that given a LOA there was no need for more than one nom. Plus, if I recall correctly, the LOA letter said it was contingent on obtaining "a" nomination.

osdad said:

All nominations were pursued - vigorously - up to the point where one was obtained. It was the nominating sources - not my Plebe - who made the determination to cancel her interviews. When asked directly, they said that given a LOA there was no need for more than one nom. Plus, if I recall correctly, the LOA letter said it was contingent on obtaining "a" nomination.

Click to expand...

This is about following directions and probably the first time in the admissions process that the overall ‘big picture’ becomes paramount. Had you called Admissions, they would probably have told you to continue with other nominations unless forced to do otherwise.

Sure, as a general rule, USNA only gives LOAs to those who are national pool competitive. So simply being on any MOC list, anywhere in the 10, is sufficient. Another way to look at it is that most or all on a Senator’s list are normally “cream of the crop” and LOA eligible.

The best way to explain possible repercussions is by example. Of course, it will not apply to all or even most but it does happen. By pursuing (and obtaining) all possible nominations, Admissions has more flexibility in filling the class with quality candidates. For example, Congressional slates, in general, are much less competitive. In very few instances will all ten individuals on a slate be 3Qed, competitive, AND have USNA as their first choice. Depending on the district, there might not even be a single competitive candidate. Had your daughter pursued the Congressional nomination, first off, your district would definitely have a viable candidate on their slate. Secondly, it would open up the Senatorial slate for another highly qualified candidate, abeit, possibly from another district. Should your district have a qualified candidate, then the Academy would be able to look at that individual and also the replaced individual on the Senatorial slate and pick the best candidate for USNA.

osdad, not picking on you but simply attempting to clear up a misconception with probably way too much information. If everyone would just blindly “pursue all nominations” to their conclusion, it would not be an issue.

Yes, the big picture sometimes gets lost in the pixels.

She was in fact "forced to do otherwise"; Sen #2 and Rep effectively dis-invited her, removing her from their lists. So as of Monday following her Saturday interview with Sen #1, she was able to obtain a nomination from the only nomination source available to her.

I can only assume the offices of our two long serving Senators know the system and how to best make it serve their constituents.

osdad said:

I can only assume the offices of our two long serving Senators know the system and how to best make it serve their constituents.

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Your issue was not with the Senators who routinely divide slates, but your local Representative who, in essence, refused to 'represent' one of his constituents. He was, of course, playing the 'LOA game'. I think I would have a problem with this as a voting citizen and more than likely, would report the circumstances to the CGO.

Mongo said:

Your issue was not with the Senators who routinely divide slates, but your local Representative who, in essence, refused to 'represent' one of his constituents. He was, of course, playing the 'LOA game'. I think I would have a problem with this as a voting citizen and more than likely, would report the circumstances to the CGO.

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I certainly did not interpret it that way. We chose instead to look at it in a positive light: "LOA + Nom = Appointment. No reason to interview with us. Tell her congratulations from the Congressman."

Out

We had the same situation. Once she received a LOA and a nomination from the first Senate interview she was asked to withdraw from the second Senate interview. The Congressional interview was canceled since our representative had been defeated in the general election. She was, however nominated by the outgoing representative even though they knew she had a LOA and a Senate nomination. The incoming representative followed through with the nomination. They all do it differently but a LOA + nomination and an appointment = a LOA + nomination and an appointment and class of 2015. Go Navy!