How to respond?

For the interview question that asks why MOC ______ should pick you over another candidate, how should I respond? I don't want to be seen as cocky or as a braggart.Can anyone offer responses that worked well for them in the past? Many thanks.

You definitely don't want to use the same response as others in the past. You want to stand out to the interview panel. After years of interviews, the panel will know what a generic answer is. You don't want to have any generic answers. Try to think about what sets you apart from other applicants other than good grades and test scores. It is a question no one but you can answer, so think about it. Since you are only a junior, you still have a whole year to prepare for your nomination interviews. It is good that you are starting to prepare early, it will save you a lot of stress at the beginning of your senior year.

I gave you some additional advice here in the other thread that you started: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?p=266959#post266959

efirestone is 1000% on the mark.

I mean this with this kindness, but it is now time to shine on your own. We don't know you from Adam or Eve.

You need to believe in yourself. You need to trust your own instincts. You know why they should pick you, it is in your gut. Take that and run with it, edit it over and over again until you are confident. If that means repeating it in front of the mirror every morning until you are comfortable, or talking to your HS teacher for the past 3 yrs, than that is what you should do.

A random poster saying I stated this or that when they never met your MOC committee is not going to help you.

You will do great, this is your life, trust your instincts.

It really isn't a trick question.

OBTW, our DS that interviewed with MOCs committees was never asked that question. What book have you read that was not assigned? Do you think this war is just? Why did you apply for a nom to only 1 SA? However, never did they ask him why him over someone else. Not saying they won't, just saying you may be worrying about something that will never pass, and at the same time lose sight of what will occur.

Understand in my 4 yrs I have yet to see any poster say that the MOC personally interviewed them, instead they all met committees. Hence why I said committees.

Finally, I admire your dedication, but trust me, believe me this is a marathon of your life. Come July 2013 when you get there, your regret will be not spending more time with your friends in hs and being a hs kid. You found this site, you are in front of the 8 ball, fix what needs fixing for your WCS, but after that, walk away! Go and be a 16 yo kid because trust me as a sr. next yr you will be obsessed with this process. A process that starts in June and may not end until April. It is a marathon for srs. my only comparison for jrs is it is a Triathalon.

Enjoy life for today, don't wish your life away. That is what you are doing IMPHO as a jr preparing for a maybe interview a yr from now.

Pima and efirestone are right on. You need to be yourself and provide an honest answer to each question not the answer you think that the committee is looking for. The committee members know candidates and will know if you are just giving a canned answer.

Originally DS applied for both a USMA and USAFA nomination. He was a competitive swimmer in HS and had some contact with both the USMA and USAFA swim team. During his MOC interview, the USN officer asked "Why didn't you apply to USNA?". DS responded "Because USNA didn't contact me." I think that was the honest answer, but the cockiness of the answer was of concern to me. But when I asked DS what the response in the room was, he said that the USAFA and USMA officers both had big smiles and he later received nominations from both USMA and USAFA. Be yourself. If the "real" you can't answer the MOC nomination questions well, then you probably shouldn't be at a SA.

dlee96 said:

For the interview question that asks why MOC ______ should pick you over another candidate, how should I respond? I don't want to be seen as cocky or as a braggart.Can anyone offer responses that worked well for them in the past? Many thanks.

Click to expand...

WHY do you think your MOC might ask that question?

What are your options

I don't know, but I believe . . .
Yes, I believe . . .
Yes, I am the greatest . . .

It has amazed me for years when this question is asked of applicants; both military academies as well as traditional colleges.

I wonder if many applicants truly don't have the confidence to believe that they have things to contribute to the university or academy that others might not. Yet somehow, they believe there's some special answer that is expected.

As others have said, no one here is trying to be mean but this your future. If you don't know why YOU should be chosen over others, then there isn't a person on the planet that can help you. I just finished up 4 job interviews the other day. I asked them all: 1) Why do you want the job?... and 2) I've got 14 people applying for this position; why should I choose you? The MOC, academy and universities aren't asking a difficult question, and it's definitely not a trick question. There are literally thousands of people trying to get into the academy, harvard, yale, job openings, etc... WHY SHOULD YOU be the one we/they pick? What is so special about you. Should we choose you simply because you want it?

Bottom line: You're the one with the answer. Not us. You say you don't want to sound cocky or as a braggart. WHAT you say has no bearing on whether you sound cocky or as a braggart. "HOW YOU SAY IT" will determine that. If you think you are the BEST because of certain reasons, THEN SAY IT. If you need help with vocabulary or structure so it doesn't sound cocky or as a braggart; that's totally different. I know there are people here that like to assist by proofreading resumes and applications. But only you can decide WHAT you write. Only you know why you should be chosen over the others applying. Best of luck.

MemberLG said:

WHY do you think your MOC might ask that question?

Click to expand...

MOST MOCs, universities, job interviews, etc... ask that question. 1)Why do you want the job and 2)Why should I choose you over the other applicants.

Plus; I think if they don't ask it, YOU should be asking it of yourself. Do you think you are entitled to a specific job, university, academy, etc...? No one is "entitled" to anything. You are only entitled to the "opportunity" to apply. If you don't know why I should choose you, and I definitely don't know you so I don't know why I should choose you;...... Guess what???? I'm not going to choose you.

I think in our/my attempt NOT to sound mean, we/I may still have come across a little mean. For that, I apologize.

I will assume that the poster's question is really. "HOW do I answer, so I DON'T sound arrogant?" The answer to that is to have pride in your accomplishments and lifting yourself up by those accomplishments, but NOT lifting yourself up by trying to LOWER the accomplishments of others. EXAMPLES:

1. Sir: I am ranked #1 in my class and I've maintained a 4.0gpa throughout my high school years. (GOOD ANSWER)
Sir: I am the smartest student in my school. (BAD ANSWER)

2. Sir: I have 200+ hours volunteering with meals on wheels and sending care packages to our military in the middle east. (GOOD ANSWER)
Sir: I care more about the needy than others do. (BAD ANSWER)

3. Sir: I have always wanted to serve my country in the military and become a good leader. (GOOD ANSWER)
Sir: Others aren't as good as me in leading people and they don't care about our country as much as I do. (BAD ANSWER)

These are NOT the answers or types of answers you should be giving to a MOC, ALO, etc... These are simply examples of HOW to say something and not sound arrogant. Lift yourself up by YOUR accomplishments, NOT by lowering the accomplishments of others. Best of luck.

It is a fantastic question because not only does it require one to have a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses but also a good understanding of the requirementsws of what they are getting into. My daughter was asked this question a few weeks back in her first post-college job interview and I am still kicking myself by not prepping her for it.

How many times have I heard on these boards "we can't tell you your chance because we don't know your competition"? A lot.

Well the kid that is asked "why should we pick you over the other applicants" doesn't know most of the other applicants so really can't answer the question that is asked. He can state why he is qualified and what he will bring to the service. State your positive traits and express why you want to serve.


My son was not asked this question last year at his MOC interview. My last job interview was nearly 20 years ago but I did many interviews prior to that and I don't recall ever being asked that question but I know it is asked.

You will be asked questions you have never thought of and what they want to see is that you can think on your feet and articulate a good answer. How you convey your answer is often more important than what the answer is as CC demonstrated.

To all who replied;
None of the replies were mean, they were quite meaningful and shed a lot of light, thanks to all who replied

dlee,

You are a jr in hs right now, and this won't happen for a solid yr. Believe me when I say the amount of personal growth you will go through this yr will change you beyond anything you can expect. This is the yr kids typically get it. They get their license and will hopefully only have a near scare driving, but it will change their perspective. They start to realize as the mailbox is flooded with glossy college brochures and letters that OMG I am at the beginning of the end of my HS life. It changes their perspective. They start to ask those silly things, like what do I want to do for the next 4 yrs? Where will I be happiest?

The answer is going to come to you soon enough. If it doesn't come to you, than you have your answer too!

Don't rush your life, you can't get back any of these days. Enjoy them now. Come Dec if you apply for SLS you will still be fine. If you don't or are not accepted for SLS and only open up a PCQ in March, you will still be fine.

As I said before this is a marathon, don't make it your personal triathalon.

Thank you Pima