Interview...

[WannabeaMid]

So I just received a letter of notification for an interview with a panel of military advisors for a nomination for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. I am excited, but very nervous for this. I was just wondering what to expect...what were your interview sessions like?

Any information would help! Thanks!

 

[www]

They can be friendly. I've also heard about tough ones. I was comfortable with mine.

"Why do you want to attend a Service Academy and join the military?" (Besides "to serve my country," also talk about something relate to you more closely. There are hundreds of thousands of others wanting to serve their country, too; what makes you different from them in your aspiration?)
"How do you feel about killing people? Do you have any concerns with that?"
"With the War on Terror going on, I am almost certain when you graduate, you will be heading to war. Have you thought about that?"
"From your resume I can see some strengths you have named. What do you think are some of your weak points?"
"Did you have to make any hard decisions as [such and such leadership position]? How did you deal with them?"

 

[coffeecup3]

"Define Integrity"
The one question I was asked at every interview!
You never know what they may ask you, but take a moment before you answer if you are unsure... my one interview they complimented me on the fact that I thought about it instead of babbling out a meaningless answer immediately.
Also, my senator interviews were 15 minutes. Congressman was 30 minutes. I brought my resume to each of them in addition because of updates and my congressman interview focused on my accomplishments from my resume more than drill me with questions. I thought that the congressman interview was easier and more relaxed.
Just come prepared, look nice, have a positive attitude, smile and you should do well! Best of Luck!

 

[SJJTitan]

My interviews with my senators were pretty good; the standard questions that www posted. However, my Representative one, with a bunch of community leaders, was somewhat different. I really can't remember many of the questions because they were a month ago, but I didn't like it as much. I thought I did terrible, but that is where I got my AFA alternate nom and Merchant Marine principal nom from, go figure! Just don't go in nervous, stay relaxed, and make sure you know your resume!

 

[USMA_2014]

I had two Senate interviews and an HOR interview. The first one is always the hardest, but if you remember that the interview is to find out about YOU you'll be fine. My first interview I gave answers I thought they'd expect, and it felt forced and less fluid. But just answer honestly and you'll be fine!

Some of my questions:
"Give us three of your best/worst qualities."
"What are your plans for post-academy?"
"What are your plans if you don't receive admission to the academy?"-Answer with regards to your academy, since I'm USMA I answered that I would go into the Army most likely on ROTC-they're looking for dedication to your branch.
"Why ___ Academy?"
"What characteristics should a cadet hold?"

And they might include a left-field question, so be on your toes.
Mine was: "As an officer, would you carry out an order that was considered unethical?"

 

[marciemi]

Just repeating a post of mine from a month ago or so - many of the same questions. These were after his two senator interviews:

I tried to make a list of what he could remember when I talked to him afterwards. Some questions he recalled were:

-Give an example of a time when you’ve failed
-Who is your inspiration?
-How have you prepared for the academy – academically, physically, mentally, and morally?
-What makes you different/better than the other candidates we’re interviewing?
-Why are you not interested in WP?
-Define leadership/give an example of when you’ve displayed leadership
-Tell us about your summer seminar experiences
-What do you want to major in? If you don’t attend an academy, what would you major in?
-What are your backup plans?
-What would you do if you were given an order to carry out that you thought was immoral?
-Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
-Do you have anything else you’d like to say to us?

Some comments on them...on the how have you prepared question, I guess he did the first three and didn’t answer the morally component. They came back to that one and asked him to answer it. He said each interview lasted about 30 minutes and was comprised of 9 “official” questions (three each from each of the three panel members), however, they each asked a lot of follow up questions (like the summer seminar one). He was a bit perplexed by the question about what he’d major in if he didn’t attend a SA after explaining his interest in engineering – probably aero, chemical or mechanical. When they asked the next one he said he wanted to answer, “Oh, if I DON’T go to an academy, then I’d major in art history” (or something similar). He was just like “Why would I change my major?” He felt he was asked the WP one as a combination of his parents going there and that he’d listed the other two (ie this wasn’t a planned question). At one of the interviews, the list of “formal” questions was on the table in front of him for him to glance at while answering all of them. He said he felt they were trying to get some answers and learn about him more than they were “testing” him. I did ask and he wasn’t asked any current event questions at all.

 

[WannabeaMid]

This is actually very helpful. I also talked with my BGO and he told me:

Instead of going in and "wanting" something, go in and tell them not what you want from them, but what you can contribute and offer them.

The only problem that I fear right now is that I won't be able to give a "good" answer or that I might end choke up on my answer. I am also a little afraid of those "out of the air" questions, like current events or a recent book. I feel a little bit less stressed out because I see that I am given some time to think, and that seems like a good thing. I guess I am just overthinking it (which could be a weakness I could explain if they asked me a question regarding it).