ALO Interview
- Thread starter behrsmom
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Wow that's impressive. The ALO's are all different so I don't know what would be considered normal. My son's ALO came to our house. He met with our son for about 1 1/2 hours and then spoke with my husband, son and I for another 1/2 hour. Good luck to your son!
My son spoke to his ALO several times over this past Spring. All by phone and then met him mid August for his interview (1 1/2 hours). I think this was his way to get to know him. He has been extremely helpful. It is nice that he really wants to get to know your son that well. Good Luck!
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ALO
I can say my daughters ALO interview was in a diner, took 20 minutes while the interviewer waited for his take out order, then we followed him out to his car. We gave up on him and had to go throught our regional rep and the academy amissions. I would say you have a consciencious, and very professional ALO interviewer. This is a positive.
I can say my daughters ALO interview was in a diner, took 20 minutes while the interviewer waited for his take out order, then we followed him out to his car. We gave up on him and had to go throught our regional rep and the academy amissions. I would say you have a consciencious, and very professional ALO interviewer. This is a positive.
Pima
10-Year Member
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Our DS's was several multiple hour meetings. The 1st was to get to know him, the next ones were to review and edit his essays for the AFA and his MOCS. Each ALO is different, you can't expect multiple meetings if they have 20+ candidates, since they have a life too outside of this volunteer position.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Christcorp
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PAparent: Granted, a meeting in a public diner/etc... might not appear to be the most professional of places, but you need to be specific about why you "Gave up on him". If you say that this ALO never answered your calls, never answered your questions, didn't find info from the academy for you daughter, or a list of other things; then I can buy that. But your dealings with an ALO isn't that you get assigned an ALO on one day and have an interview a few days later. It's a much longer process. And if the ALO was doing all the other parts of helping your daughter, and it was just the atmosphere of the interview that turned you off; then that is lame. If it was a bunch of other things the ALO did that made you "Give up on him", then say that, and don't say it was because the interview was only 20-30 minutes long in a diner.
I know a few ALO's. I know a lot of applicants over the years. And depending on the situation and the individual, each interview is going to be different. The interview is mainly for the ALO to determine the "REAL" applicant. Not the applicant who spent hours/days writing something on paper and making themselves look good. A lot also depends on the area/back ground of the applicant. My son's interview was less than an hour, and he did it in sweaty jeans. Was the interview any less effective? No, not in the least. If you knew the WHOLE story; and why the ALO chose that particular time; you'd agree that it was totally appropriate and professional. My son's ALO had pretty much only 1 major thing she needed to know about my son. "Was my son applying because he WANTED to, or because he was sort of being push that direction by his father (ME) who had recently retired after 21 years". You might think that the ALO NEEDS to learn/know a lot more things about an applicant. That's not always true. Some towns are small, and everyone already knows everyone. One applicant on this board just realized that one of his TEACHERS in school is also his ALO. You think he/she can find out most things about the applicant without an interview? Yes, probably so.
Every ALO is different, just like every applicant is different. And each interview and interaction will be different. My son's ALO was there as a liaison between my son and the academy/counselor. My son didn't have the "Needs" that a lot of applicants have. He's a "BRAT". (Military Kid). He knew what he was getting into. If he had a question, he asked me. If it was specific to the academy and not the process of acceptance, we asked on forums like this. So each ALO handles their applicants differently. Each applicant had different needs. And each applicant is handled differently. Just like my relationship with each of my kids is different. I have an unofficial list of things I look at in an individual who is interested in the academy. Of course I will refer anyone who comes to me and is interested in the academy to our local ALO. Just like every ALO will process an applicant's application even if they may not seem to be the most desirable applicant. But the type of questions I am asking myself, many ALO's are also asking themselves. And with some applicants, these questions can be answered in 15 minutes. With others, it can take multiple session. These aren't official type questions. These are simply internal questions that an ALO, or someone like myself who is asked by prospects (sophomores/juniors) who ask for my help, are concerned with. Thinks like; is this something THEY want; is it an option they want to pursue or a lack of options because they don't have much else that they've explored; do they know what they're getting into; etc...
I'm not defending your ALO or the 20 minute interview at a diner. I don't know the whole situation. But I'm telling you that the application process to the academy isn't a checklist system where if you fill in all the right squares, you get accepted. It isn't like that. It isn't like that for any college/university that you have to apply to and compete to get in. And some ALO's can learn all they need about an applicant in 20-30 minutes, while some may need multiple meetings. Some applicants are also reviewed by their ALO to determine if they are ready for their MOC nomination interviews; go over their applications; etc... Some ALO's feel the applicant needs to be more pro-active and ASK for help and not hand-held each step of the way. Each candidate and situation is different. So, if the ALO wasn't doing all the things your daughter needed their help in for her, that would be a reason to seek additional help from their chain or the academy. If you're just not happy with the interview because of the time and location of it, then that isn't a good reason. I've seen applicants get an appointment even though the ALO didn't think they were the best. And I've seen applicants with a 4.0gpa not get an appointment; when the ALO thought they were a shoe-In. I just don't want parents/applicants who read this thread to think that because their interview was 20-30 minutes long at Burger King, that they have a terrible ALO or their chances of getting an appointment are lower.
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ok
Christ,
thank you for the reply. I sat on the fence about mentioning our situation for originally we had nothing other then the ALO interview and I wanted to avoid what I have read for so long in reply to when some have experienced a not- so positive result. Since then we have had meetings with the B&G officer of the USNA and laison officer with the USMA. Both meetings were 2-3 hours in length, indepth, well thought out and follow up calls.
I know 99.99% of the representatives of all the academies are dedicated,hardworking volunteers that give it 110%. Our meeting and dealings were unfortunate and my comment was in no way to critisize the academy or tarnish reputations. We were not alone with our complaints and were told so. I will not say much more or be more specific for I do not want in anyway to cause more harm then good, but there are a couple that simply may not be so committed or have the legacy of pride as all do. I will say our regional rep was terrific and the inside assistance was impeccable. We were both embarressed and ashamed that we had to take this route, but everything is positive now.
Christ,
thank you for the reply. I sat on the fence about mentioning our situation for originally we had nothing other then the ALO interview and I wanted to avoid what I have read for so long in reply to when some have experienced a not- so positive result. Since then we have had meetings with the B&G officer of the USNA and laison officer with the USMA. Both meetings were 2-3 hours in length, indepth, well thought out and follow up calls.
I know 99.99% of the representatives of all the academies are dedicated,hardworking volunteers that give it 110%. Our meeting and dealings were unfortunate and my comment was in no way to critisize the academy or tarnish reputations. We were not alone with our complaints and were told so. I will not say much more or be more specific for I do not want in anyway to cause more harm then good, but there are a couple that simply may not be so committed or have the legacy of pride as all do. I will say our regional rep was terrific and the inside assistance was impeccable. We were both embarressed and ashamed that we had to take this route, but everything is positive now.