My first senator's board opened he interview with: "Why should America's taxpayers spend an estimated 400,000 dollars on you?" I think they were trying to see if I was easily intimidated. Other questions they asked were: If you could speak with one person, alive or dead, who would it be?, What types of books do you read? Why did you pick Army over the other branches? Will you be able to tolerate the pressure of the Academy? That's all I can remember. It was a short interview.
MOC interviews
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pinkharley99
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DD's question, "What was the most memorable occasion of your life"
Pima
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DS a couple of yrs ago was also asked the dead or alive person question, but it was if you could ask one question to one person. His response. Truman, knowing the devastation of dropping the A bomb once already, how did you come to the decision to do it again?
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Just to help anyone else - my son had both his senator nominations on Saturday and tried to compile a list of the questions he was asked for one of his friends. Just cutting and pasting that list just to give more "food for thought":
-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? (He had AF and Navy down)
-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.
-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? (He had AF and Navy down)
-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.
bsa07eagle
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I will have my last interview this Saturday, but my last one, I think, was the toughest. Some of the questions asked were:
-Have you ever been in a fight
-Do you know any jokes (I know...really?)
-What is the Taliban
-When was the USAFA founded
-What is your favorite book
-A few questions about the honor code (what is it, what do you think will be the hardest part to abide by)
-What are some of your hobbies
-What is your motivation in life
-If you don't get in this year, what will you do
-What is the hardest aspect of the academy for you
-How do we know that you will stay at the academy and not drop out during the hard times
-What are some of the bad things about the academy
-If you were thinking about leaving the academy, who would you call (outside your family) and what do you think he would say
-You have one minute to convince us to give you a nomination...GO!
...and many more that excape me at this moment.
They also asked questions about multiple things on my resume. The interview was really tough because they asked a lot of random questions to elaborate on certain things that really caught me off guard. I think I was able to do pretty well, but I came out of there pretty shaken. Good luck on your interviews everyone, just remember (from my limited experience), be absolutely honest about everything, they can tell when you aren't being honest (as can most adults). Most of all, try to be calm, I went into my first interview visibly nervious and it really hurt some of my responses (and probably my recommendation). I have since been able to calm myself before I go in and it really helps. Go in there and make them remember you (in a good way). "Do your best, and let the loose end drag." I look forward of hearing you all get your nom's in the next month or so.
Later,
Brian
-Have you ever been in a fight
-Do you know any jokes (I know...really?)
-What is the Taliban
-When was the USAFA founded
-What is your favorite book
-A few questions about the honor code (what is it, what do you think will be the hardest part to abide by)
-What are some of your hobbies
-What is your motivation in life
-If you don't get in this year, what will you do
-What is the hardest aspect of the academy for you
-How do we know that you will stay at the academy and not drop out during the hard times
-What are some of the bad things about the academy
-If you were thinking about leaving the academy, who would you call (outside your family) and what do you think he would say
-You have one minute to convince us to give you a nomination...GO!
...and many more that excape me at this moment.
They also asked questions about multiple things on my resume. The interview was really tough because they asked a lot of random questions to elaborate on certain things that really caught me off guard. I think I was able to do pretty well, but I came out of there pretty shaken. Good luck on your interviews everyone, just remember (from my limited experience), be absolutely honest about everything, they can tell when you aren't being honest (as can most adults). Most of all, try to be calm, I went into my first interview visibly nervious and it really hurt some of my responses (and probably my recommendation). I have since been able to calm myself before I go in and it really helps. Go in there and make them remember you (in a good way). "Do your best, and let the loose end drag." I look forward of hearing you all get your nom's in the next month or so.
Later,
Brian
Pima
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I have to ask what is it with most boards asking about the last book you read?
It seems to be the most commonly asked question. Bullet at that age loved Feist and Eddings, I loved Clancy, how is that an insight into the applicant compared to things like, your transcript shows you got a C in Pre-Calc, but an A in AP Calc explain why is the difference so great? I really question the basis of their questions.
Honestly, it seems silly to ask that book question.
It seems to be the most commonly asked question. Bullet at that age loved Feist and Eddings, I loved Clancy, how is that an insight into the applicant compared to things like, your transcript shows you got a C in Pre-Calc, but an A in AP Calc explain why is the difference so great? I really question the basis of their questions.
Honestly, it seems silly to ask that book question.
I'm pretty nervous.
I had a practice interview today with one of my teachers (who used to be a cop and her husband was in the Army) and for some reason I just could explain myself. Like I knew exactly what I wanted to express, but had no means through which to express it. Some days I'm fine with speaking, and others I'm not.
I have my three interviews in a row this Saturday (15min each) and I'm hoping for them to go as smoothly as possible. I'll probably just read through this thread again and think of appropriate answers for all the questions.
Bleh.
I had a practice interview today with one of my teachers (who used to be a cop and her husband was in the Army) and for some reason I just could explain myself. Like I knew exactly what I wanted to express, but had no means through which to express it. Some days I'm fine with speaking, and others I'm not.
I have my three interviews in a row this Saturday (15min each) and I'm hoping for them to go as smoothly as possible. I'll probably just read through this thread again and think of appropriate answers for all the questions.
Bleh.
See if you can set up another mock interview. Or two. Use your phone or something and video record it. PRACTICE is the best answer. You will be amazed at the difference between practice interview #1 and #3 (or 4,5,6).
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
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Write down answers to questions...type them out...read aloud. Have people ask you the questions. Practice practice practice. the more you talk in front of other people, the smoother your answers will become
uscgphibltcol76
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nsiderbam - so how did the interviews go?
Ok.
So, I went to go get a straight black tie around ten-thirty. I got home around eleven, only to find that my dad had left (my first interview was at 11:30). Neither my mom nor I knew how to tie a tie, so after looking it up on youtube and tying a semi-decent tie, I left around 11:13. The place was about 15 minutes away, but when I finally got there I couldn't find any parking, and ended up parking two blocks down and had to sprint to the building to be there on time.
I got there and was able to sit down for two minutes or so, and actually met a track friend from another school there who was being interviewed as well. I got called into Harry Reid's office, and that interview went badly. I was out of breath, shaking, couldn't think, nervous, and ended up giving an overall bad impression I think:
"So why the Air Force Academy?"
"Well, it's in Colorado, and has some beautiful scenery."
"So after you leave, you think we'll remember you wanting to go to the USAFA just because of its 'beautiful scenery'??"
*crap*
The second two went very well, however. I had calmed down by then and was much more confident, straight-forward, and thoughtful in my answers. I had fun with those interviews, even though there was one interview in Ensign's panel that was hard on me about not taking a math this year. I left that panel impressed - they thought I was a very diverse and qualified candidate - and finally had my best interview last. I ended up joking around a bit and answered their questions well imo. I did the best I could. Now it's just up to them to decide.
They told me I'll find out about any nominations by Christmas. So glad it's over.
So, I went to go get a straight black tie around ten-thirty. I got home around eleven, only to find that my dad had left (my first interview was at 11:30). Neither my mom nor I knew how to tie a tie, so after looking it up on youtube and tying a semi-decent tie, I left around 11:13. The place was about 15 minutes away, but when I finally got there I couldn't find any parking, and ended up parking two blocks down and had to sprint to the building to be there on time.
I got there and was able to sit down for two minutes or so, and actually met a track friend from another school there who was being interviewed as well. I got called into Harry Reid's office, and that interview went badly. I was out of breath, shaking, couldn't think, nervous, and ended up giving an overall bad impression I think:
"So why the Air Force Academy?"
"Well, it's in Colorado, and has some beautiful scenery."
"So after you leave, you think we'll remember you wanting to go to the USAFA just because of its 'beautiful scenery'??"
*crap*
The second two went very well, however. I had calmed down by then and was much more confident, straight-forward, and thoughtful in my answers. I had fun with those interviews, even though there was one interview in Ensign's panel that was hard on me about not taking a math this year. I left that panel impressed - they thought I was a very diverse and qualified candidate - and finally had my best interview last. I ended up joking around a bit and answered their questions well imo. I did the best I could. Now it's just up to them to decide.
They told me I'll find out about any nominations by Christmas. So glad it's over.
bsa07eagle
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I too just finished my last one this morning. What a relief. Now the official waiting starts. We could all be hearing pretty soon, so good luck everyone.
Later,
Brian
Later,
Brian
I already have a low opinion of Reid, and it sounds like his staff support him in all ways. There are plenty of places for sarcasm, but your inteview was not one of them. The good news is that they probably treated everyone the same. Don't worry too much.
The nice thing is you can do some volunteer work for whoever runs against him in a few months.
Good Luck!
The nice thing is you can do some volunteer work for whoever runs against him in a few months.
Good Luck!
The interviewer nearest me did.
Although on my part I did give off a rather bad vibe. Even on my part I could tell that I just seemed like a nervous wreck, not sure of anything I said.
The second two interviews went muuuuch better.
Although on my part I did give off a rather bad vibe. Even on my part I could tell that I just seemed like a nervous wreck, not sure of anything I said.
The second two interviews went muuuuch better.
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It's a shame that Reid's board didn't try a different technique to help you relax. They know these kids are nervous. But good for you...you made it through and went on to do well in the next interviews.
Just_A_Mom
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This was very painful for me to read. Not because you were nervous but you were clearly unprepared.
Let's look at this with the clarity of hindsight -
You could have/should have got all your clothes together the night before - including your tie. You went to get a tie an hour before your interview?
You ran to get there on time?
First lesson: In the Army (and Navy and AF) to be EARLY is on time to be on time is to be late. You were late.
Next, you were nervous and could not remember why you picked the AFA - it happens. This is why practice is so important. Even if a practiced response is sounds canned it is important to practice and practice well. Honestly, you were given a clear opening to clarify your answer and you didn't use it.
I am not sure why the criticism here for Sen Reid - am I missing something?
Anyway, it's over and done, perhaps some other questions went better?
I was not criticizing Sen Reid, I was merely stating that that interview went much worse than the other two. I had two practice interviews beforehand and had answers ready, I was just taking a pause to catch my breath and think after I mentioned the scenery and he butted in with the response.
I worked until nine-thirty the night before and had no chance to get a tie. I had clothes ready, all I needed was a straight black tie. Yes, I suppose I could've gotten up earlier to get the tie, but I still gave it enough time so that I would arrive on time, even accounting for unseen problems.
I still left on time to get there at least a couple minutes early (which I was - three minutes early, and then I ended up having a few minutes to rest before they called me in), and had the directions they gave me been correct - there was no parking spot where they said it would be - I would've been there even earlier.
I made it a point to purposely not say anything negative about Sen Reid or his staff or blame him for my bad interview because yes, all in all it was my fault, and also because it's just not right, given the high moral standards that I hold and that the academies require. Whether or not I agree with his actions as senator has no effect on my wanting to get a nomination from him.
Yes, I understand I was "military late", but given the circumstances, I made the best with what I had and it went a lot better than it could have.
edit: I'm sorry if I come off as being rude, I don't mean to be. I just wanted to clarify what happened.
I worked until nine-thirty the night before and had no chance to get a tie. I had clothes ready, all I needed was a straight black tie. Yes, I suppose I could've gotten up earlier to get the tie, but I still gave it enough time so that I would arrive on time, even accounting for unseen problems.
I still left on time to get there at least a couple minutes early (which I was - three minutes early, and then I ended up having a few minutes to rest before they called me in), and had the directions they gave me been correct - there was no parking spot where they said it would be - I would've been there even earlier.
I made it a point to purposely not say anything negative about Sen Reid or his staff or blame him for my bad interview because yes, all in all it was my fault, and also because it's just not right, given the high moral standards that I hold and that the academies require. Whether or not I agree with his actions as senator has no effect on my wanting to get a nomination from him.
Yes, I understand I was "military late", but given the circumstances, I made the best with what I had and it went a lot better than it could have.
edit: I'm sorry if I come off as being rude, I don't mean to be. I just wanted to clarify what happened.
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