Tips for the Nomination Interviews?

laxer98

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Jan 25, 2016
Messages
101
Hi All,

I am a hopeful Class of 2021 Academy (deciding between Air Force and Naval) however I am very curious as to how Nomination Interviews work and what kind of questions they ask;

It can be anything from general tips to tips that are very specific to Maryland MoCs (District 6, if anyone here is from there too!!).

Thanks so Much! I really just want to be 100% at my shot to get into my dream schools.
 
Wow, you have like 10 months to prepair. Search the forums, lots of tips.
 
Yes, what @5Day said- there is a ton of info out there. I'm disappointed and glad that I didn't stumble upon this forum until DS had his noms. I would have driven him nuts with prep. However, I will say this....Shine from within. Really understand and know WHY you want your particular SA(s) and practice expressing it. For my DS months of questions from family and friends really helped him to prepare. Check out the "your kid wants to go where?" thread. While it's somewhat screwball you might get asked one of those - you might not. You might get a question about your thoughts on the recent capture of Navy boats. Read the newspaper - everyday! Know current events and don't get caught off guard. The committee will read your stats and very possibly have everything decided before you step in. Go in and wow them. Be poised, confident, candid, and resolute with your answers. Best wishes!
 
Yes, what @5Day said- there is a ton of info out there. I'm disappointed and glad that I didn't stumble upon this forum until DS had his noms. I would have driven him nuts with prep. However, I will say this....Shine from within. Really understand and know WHY you want your particular SA(s) and practice expressing it. For my DS months of questions from family and friends really helped him to prepare. Check out the "your kid wants to go where?" thread. While it's somewhat screwball you might get asked one of those - you might not. You might get a question about your thoughts on the recent capture of Navy boats. Read the newspaper - everyday! Know current events and don't get caught off guard. The committee will read your stats and very possibly have everything decided before you step in. Go in and wow them. Be poised, confident, candid, and resolute with your answers. Best wishes!
Wow, you have like 10 months to prepair. Search the forums, lots of tips.
Thank you both!
 
With so long to prep, work on your public speaking and/or speaking with adults. Seek out opportunities to get up in front of a group and talk. Toastmasters https://www.toastmasters.org/ if there is one by you would give you this opportunity, and you would get great feedback. Your audience would be challenging, everyone will be older than you, just like your nomination interview.
 
+1 @5Day we didn't realize that DS took a swipe at his nose or forehead at the beginning of every answer until we practiced. If annoyed us - imagine what it would have be like with the MOC committee. Look, you don't want to over think it but practice helps. DS walked out of there thinking that he did his best and that's what you want. There are so many variables and the nomination interview is only one. Having gone through this process is not for better or for worse. It is only been for the better - appointment or not.
 
+1 @gokings814 is always spot on - "um" is a killer as is "up speak" (answering a question with a question) look into interview tactics. You are not interviewing for a college you are interviewing for a JOB!
 
Having interviewed literally hundreds of young people for retail jobs in my previous career, I can't tell you how painful it was to see:
  • gum chewing...
  • inappropriate clothing....
  • a complete lack of knowledge about the company and/or job being interviewed for.
  • "limp" handshakes
  • slouching in a chair
  • interrupting the interviewer
  • interviewees being rude to receptionists and/or staff
  • parents accompanying their kid to the interview and hoping to sit in.
  • a poorly written application/resume or no resume at all.
  • tardiness
  • and of course "um" ad infinitum
 
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The above answers I absolutely agree with. Currently as an applicant I would advise that if this is what you want, then find your reasons because these will be one of the most important answers you will have to answer. Many times you would think that your experiences will carry you but I think it's how you substantiate them with your reasons. Last year, I felt that my parents wanted me more to attend a service academy and I didn't really have the right reasons. I felt pushed and I told the interviewees that I wanted to be a doctor, very unlikely from the service academies. This year, I really wanted to attend and become an officer, really fell in love with CVW and the traits of attention to detail and teamwork. If you're from MD, you should have a chance to go to the Herndon Climb and the other events during commissioning weekend.

Be prepared to share your life experiences, your interests, and what you can contribute and bring to the table.
Good luck.
 
What I did for my daughter was browse through the nomination threads on this forum, and I wrote down odd, random or out of the blue questions I found. Over the next month or so before her interview I would randomly ask her one of those questions or I'd ask how she would handle an issue on the news and she'd answer on the spot. DD thought it was a great idea and had no clue what the questions would be.

For instance during dinner, I would point to her and say "What would you do if you were given an order you thought was unethical?" Or we'd be driving and I'd ask "Where do you see yourself in 10 years" and stuff like that.

The point was not to have her just repeat a pre-written answer, but to be able to think on her feet and answer thoughtfully and wisely under pressure. I suspect they care more about "how" you answer than "what the answer is". You could ask a parent or a friend if they could do something similar for you, and you've got a long time to prepare.

I'm not sure if it helped my DD or not, but she did get the nomination! Best wishes to you!
 
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