Army ROTC Scholarship PMS Interview

R

ridge

5-Year Member
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Jan 12, 2014
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I'm at the point in my application where I need to schedule an interview with a PMS. My first choice school is 4 hours away and my second choice school is 30 minutes away. I'd like to have my interview at the 1st choice school, and I will be there for a tour in 10 days. Would it be okay if I asked them if they could give me an interview on that day, is this to short of a notice for them, or do they just tell me when they can give me an interview and expect me to be there at that time? Should I call or send and email, and should it be to the PMS directly or to the school's ROTC program in general? Also, my number 1 choice is not listed as one of the interview locations near me so I need to coordinate with my High School Program Point of Contact?
 
ridge said:
I'm at the point in my application where I need to schedule an interview with a PMS. My first choice school is 4 hours away and my second choice school is 30 minutes away. I'd like to have my interview at the 1st choice school, and I will be there for a tour in 10 days. Would it be okay if I asked them if they could give me an interview on that day, is this to short of a notice for them, or do they just tell me when they can give me an interview and expect me to be there at that time? Should I call or send and email, and should it be to the PMS directly or to the school's ROTC program in general? Also, my number 1 choice is not listed as one of the interview locations near me so I need to coordinate with my High School Program Point of Contact?
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Hi Ridge
My DS interviewed at Norwich. We hadn't considered Norwich until late in the game and considered AROTC even later in the game (after we scheduled a tour a Norwich). I called the ROTC office about a week prior to going to Norwich and explained my dilemma. The lady was one of th nicest folks I've ever spoken to on the phone. She told me if we could be there an hour before the tour started, they would interview him. We showed up, he interviewed and did well. Norwich was not his #1 school. They should work with you although your mileage may vary. Good luck.
 
Emailed PMS officer a few days prior, sorted all the details out, wasn't one of the schools near me but I chose it anyways early in the application process and got the interview done in one of my first steps. I did it at my top school but it's cross registered to another school so I did it at their main unit. Gluck.
 
Always interview at your first choice if and when possible. First off, you give a better impression of yourself by doing so. Secondly - and goes with the previously stated, what if the PMS (from school 2) were to ask if school 2 was your top choice. And you say "no." Sends off some bells and whistles. So, you better have a good reason prepared to say why you choose to interview at your choice 2 school, and not your first choice school.

I wish I had time to go more in depth with this, but I don't unfortunately.

Good luck with your interview.
 
I'd suggest you go to your first choice even if you have to take a day off of school. If you haven't gotten into your first choice school yet, giving the PMS a face to go along with your name may help in admissions as well.
 
Well, I tried. I sent an email to the school's ROTC program 8 days ago, I called a few days after that, no answer, left a message. I sent an email to the PMS a couple of days later. I have yet to get a response from anyone and I'm going to the school for a tour tomorrow. Thanks for the help anyways, I appreciate it.
 
ridge said:
Well, I tried. I sent an email to the school's ROTC program 8 days ago, I called a few days after that, no answer, left a message. I sent an email to the PMS a couple of days later. I have yet to get a response from anyone and I'm going to the school for a tour tomorrow. Thanks for the help anyways, I appreciate it.
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Unfortunately, that was somewhat what my son experienced, as well. Obviously, at this point you are going to have to make another trip (or reschedule your campus tour to coincide with your interview). However, just stick with it and don't quit!! Good luck!

Also, in all fairness to the cadre, 8 days is not really that much notice. They are very busy people and have only recently started back after the Christmas break. Eight days just may not have been enough time to respond. Just keep at it!
 
Future2LtMom said:
Unfortunately, that was somewhat what my son experienced, as well. Obviously, at this point you are going to have to make another trip (or reschedule your campus tour to coincide with your interview). However, just stick with it and don't quit!! Good luck!

Also, in all fairness to the cadre, 8 days is not really that much notice. They are very busy people and have only recently started back after the Christmas break. Eight days just may not have been enough time to respond. Just keep at it!
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Thanks for the info, I don't know exactly how this process is supposed to work or what to expect, so anything helps. I'm not rescheduling the visit, but I'm willing to make another if they can contact me. I know 8 days isn't a lot, I can understand that they may not be able to schedule anything in that time, but I'd think they would at least be able to respond, just acknowledge my request. I don't know their situation though, so I can't really complain. I'll keep waiting, but if they can't give me something, anything, I'll have to contact a different school before long.
 
ridge said:
Well, I tried. I sent an email to the school's ROTC program 8 days ago, I called a few days after that, no answer, left a message. I sent an email to the PMS a couple of days later. I have yet to get a response from anyone and I'm going to the school for a tour tomorrow. Thanks for the help anyways, I appreciate it.
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If you show up at the ROTC building you might find someone, even an officer, with whom you can speak. Also be calling while you're on campus but before you get to the building. As the earlier post pointed out they've been out for the Christmas Break. DS didn't return until 1/13 and I'm sure they all had a backlog of email, many they know from the sender and subject line is far more urgent than yours.... so they probably haven't gotten to yours yet. Plus they're busy getting the next semester kicked off which is no easy task. Just keep at it. To paraphrase Yogi Berra - It ain't over until you leave campus.

PS. We set up a meeting for DS the day we were on campus as we also did not get replies from earlier phone calls and emails. OTOH, once we were known, we would get email replies from Afghanistan because the freshman adviser was on a summer assignment there.
 
ridge - you might try calling your admissions officer at the school you are visiting tomorrow (call today), and see if they can arrange something. Also, if there is a separate phone number for the enrollment officer, as opposed to the PMS, try calling that number. When DS interviewed, he worked through the enrollment officer, and he set up the appointment with the PMS. Also, often at Open HOuses (if that is what this is), they will have tables set up for different departments, clubs, etc. There most likely will be a table set up for ROTC, most likely manned by the enrollment officer! Good luck!
 
And if all else fails, try to get through to the secretary. Perhaps they can get the ball rolling for you.
 
All of the previous posts are spot on about making sure you interview with your top school. Last year, my DS interviewed with his 2nd choice (because it was closer), and the 1st thing the PMS asked him was why his school wasn't his first choice.

Good luck with your visit tomorrow, and with any luck you just might be able to interview anyway. If anything, you may be able to meet with the recruiting officer and discuss in person your intentions. This was very valuable to my DS last year.
 
I called while on campus today, and again received no answer. So I decided to go into the ROTC office to see if there was anyone I could talk to, and sure enough the PMS was standing by the door. We talked for a little while, I explained my situation, and he offered me the interview if I would just wait 10 minutes for him to pull up my files. The interview went well, and I was on my way. They were easy to deal with once I could get a hold of them. Thanks everyone for the support!
 
ridge said:
I called while on campus today, and again received no answer. So I decided to go into the ROTC office to see if there was anyone I could talk to, and sure enough the PMS was standing by the door. We talked for a little while, I explained my situation, and he offered me the interview if I would just wait 10 minutes for him to pull up my files. The interview went well, and I was on my way. They were easy to deal with once I could get a hold of them. Thanks everyone for the support!
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Glad to hear it all worked out. Way to adapt and overcome!!! :thumb:
 
ridge said:
I called while on campus today, and again received no answer. So I decided to go into the ROTC office to see if there was anyone I could talk to, and sure enough the PMS was standing by the door. We talked for a little while, I explained my situation, and he offered me the interview if I would just wait 10 minutes for him to pull up my files. The interview went well, and I was on my way. They were easy to deal with once I could get a hold of them. Thanks everyone for the support!
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Excellent! I'm so glad it worked out for you. That must have been a great weight lifted off your shoulders!
 
ridge said:
I called while on campus today, and again received no answer. So I decided to go into the ROTC office to see if there was anyone I could talk to, and sure enough the PMS was standing by the door. We talked for a little while, I explained my situation, and he offered me the interview if I would just wait 10 minutes for him to pull up my files. The interview went well, and I was on my way. They were easy to deal with once I could get a hold of them. Thanks everyone for the support!
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There you go! Well done.
 
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