Anyone have experience with interviews?

FBItomboy007

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Jul 8, 2010
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I received a call a few days ago from a local liason who said that I am on track to receive an LOA once I complete an interview with him. I set one up with him for this Wednesday night. He invited my parents and I over to his house. Anyone who has already gone through this - what should I expect? Is there anything, other than resume/transcript that I should bring? Any advice or stories of past experiences would be helpful. Thanks!
 
Besides the obvious, they may want to know your determination and drive in an interview.
 
I had an interview with my liason officer back in March. All I can say is, be prepared for the unexpected. Good luck!
 
Just wondering FBItomboy007, but when did you finish or mostly finish your application to USMA? I just wanted to see how long it takes to get a request from the liason officer for an interview.
 
I also have an upcoming interview/meeting with a liason officer set for this upcoming Tuesday. To respond to Peter's question - I started opened my candidate questionaire in January and have yet to finish it all yet. (I still need to upload my candidate statements, have my transcripts sent, get my teacher evaluations done and do the CFA)
 
I also have an upcoming interview/meeting with a liason officer set for this upcoming Tuesday. To respond to Peter's question - I started opened my candidate questionaire in January and have yet to finish it all yet. (I still need to upload my candidate statements, have my transcripts sent, get my teacher evaluations done and do the CFA)

Is the meeting with your liason officer for an LOA?
 
Liaison officers have little to no say in an LOA. Unlike AF and Navy, WP does not require interviews as part of the admissions process, nor are they scored in the candidate score. However, we are contacted by the regional commanders and asked to interview anyone that WP has a strong interest in, some curiosity about, or who they want more information about. There are fewer liaison's for WP than the other SA's, so many candidates will not complete an interview. We're supposed to do as many as we can, by phone if not in person, but it is not completely mandatory to have an interview.

At this point in the game, I can look at my roster and see who will need interviews, but we've only interviewed candidates who WP has contacted us that they are interested in (although the Liaison should NOT tell the candidate it's for an LOA - that makes it sound like it's the MALO's call! :confused:). We have had qualified candidates contact us regarding an interview and work to set it up as soon as possible if they've shown that initiative. Otherwise, on our charts at least, only a competitive candidate with enough of their file complete for WP to make that call, would show as an interview needed.

I'd definitely encourage you to contact your liaison officer yourself and start the process rolling. The interview is more of a yes/no process - although it is a 2 page interview form, for the most part WP just wants an idea if we think you're a viable candidate and to make sure you're aware of all the fine print - the purpose of the Academy, the commitment involved, etc.
 
Liaison officers have little to no say in an LOA. Unlike AF and Navy, WP does not require interviews as part of the admissions process, nor are they scored in the candidate score. However, we are contacted by the regional commanders and asked to interview anyone that WP has a strong interest in, some curiosity about, or who they want more information about. There are fewer liaison's for WP than the other SA's, so many candidates will not complete an interview. We're supposed to do as many as we can, by phone if not in person, but it is not completely mandatory to have an interview.

At this point in the game, I can look at my roster and see who will need interviews, but we've only interviewed candidates who WP has contacted us that they are interested in (although the Liaison should NOT tell the candidate it's for an LOA - that makes it sound like it's the MALO's call! :confused:). We have had qualified candidates contact us regarding an interview and work to set it up as soon as possible if they've shown that initiative. Otherwise, on our charts at least, only a competitive candidate with enough of their file complete for WP to make that call, would show as an interview needed.

I'd definitely encourage you to contact your liaison officer yourself and start the process rolling. The interview is more of a yes/no process - although it is a 2 page interview form, for the most part WP just wants an idea if we think you're a viable candidate and to make sure you're aware of all the fine print - the purpose of the Academy, the commitment involved, etc.

So you are saying that I should contact my liaison officer requesting an interview?
 
Liaison officers have little to no say in an LOA.
At this point in the game, I can look at my roster and see who will need interviews, but we've only interviewed candidates who WP has contacted us that they are interested in (although the Liaison should NOT tell the candidate it's for an LOA - that makes it sound like it's the MALO's call! :confused:). We have had qualified candidates contact us regarding an interview and work to set it up as soon as possible if they've shown that initiative. Otherwise, on our charts at least, only a competitive candidate with enough of their file complete for WP to make that call, would show as an interview needed.

I'd definitely encourage you to contact your liaison officer yourself and start the process rolling. The interview is more of a yes/no process - although it is a 2 page interview form, for the most part WP just wants an idea if we think you're a viable candidate and to make sure you're aware of all the fine print - the purpose of the Academy, the commitment involved, etc.

That was my new cadet's experience, Marciemi. His MALO arranged an interview in our home last July and Mom and Dad were NOT invited to be a part of it, so I only know what he told me later. I do remember that he had just returned from Boys' State and the MALO made notes about that. The only other thing I remember is that DS said they talked for a long time about what the Army is really like and if he understood what would be expected of him. It lasted 45 minutes to an hour and was casual and relaxed. My NC did not receive an LOA.
 
marcieme - Just out of curiousity, what is the point of the interview if not all candidates are interviewed and they don't count toward admission? Is it more for us to ask questions about life at the academy and in the army, or for evaluative purposes? Thanks.

Everyone else - thanks for the info!

Peter - I had finished my CAR, CPDR, transcripts, test scores, academic information, and CFA (though this was only because I had gone to SLS and I do not believe was factored into the decision) about a week before I received the phone call. Good luck with everything!
 
Here is an analogy for you:

Applying to a SA is like a marriage. Right now you are just dating. You made the first move with your application; West Point likes you and is asking you out.
This interview is like a 'getting-to-know-you' date.
You find out more about each other and if you are compatible.

Approach this as an opportunity for YOU to find out more about the Academy and if it's the right place for you. This is better than trying to impress just to be accepted. This summer about 50 kids have left Beast because it was not what they thought it was.
You don't want to waste your time next summer!

You need to explore and discover that Army life is what you want AND that West Point is compatible with you and your goals. Learn more about both; don't be afraid to ask questions!
 
Here is an analogy for you:

Applying to a SA is like a marriage. Right now you are just dating. You made the first move with your application; West Point likes you and is asking you out.
This interview is like a 'getting-to-know-you' date.
You find out more about each other and if you are compatible.

Approach this as an opportunity for YOU to find out more about the Academy and if it's the right place for you. This is better than trying to impress just to be accepted. This summer about 50 kids have left Beast because it was not what they thought it was.
You don't want to waste your time next summer!

You need to explore and discover that Army life is what you want AND that West Point is compatible with you and your goals. Learn more about both; don't be afraid to ask questions!

Haha, I like the analogy! Makes everything crystal clear.
 
I guess I think of it as a first-hand look for the academy at the candidate. It's not necessary, as in it doesn't count for a set 100 points and if you don't get an interview, you'll get a zero. But it's another type of feedback for the admissions board, like your essays or letters of recommendation, but this time from someone more objective who knows what the academy is looking for. Think of it this way - the board is looking at your file, and you're right on the border between an LOA or not. Or an appointment or not. If there is an interview to look at, that could tip the balance. A completely average interview might not, but a strong recommendation from your MALO could help them make a decision. Similarly, a poor interview sheet might nudge them in the other direction.

I've heard other liaison officers say "I can't get a candidate in, but I can certainly keep one out!" Not sure how true that is - for the most part, MALO's are there to answer your questions, make sure you understand what you're getting into - both during Beast, your time at the academy, and your future in the Army. But they're also representing West Point and trying to keep a candidate or the Academy from making a bad decision in offering or accepting an appointment. Honestly, for the most part, you would have to be blatantly "bad" to get a poor review overall - tell me you're doing it just for the free education, that there are ways around the honor code, that dad is making you come - something like that. Not knowing for sure what you want to do or everything about the Army - that's expected from a 17 year old. I think most candidates get at least good interview scores - simply telling the academy, "Yes, this is definitely a viable candidate - YOU make the call". But if you make a great impression on the MALO, and he tells admissions "Wow - we really want this kid!" - well, it certainly can't hurt!! And if you have that in your file, while someone else doesn't have an interview at all, I have to believe it will make a difference!

Should you contact the MALO? I think definitely. Right now I probably have 30 kids in my districts listed as competitive that show as "interview required". I have no way of knowing which are serious of all of those whose files are mostly incomplete - I can't tell if you're working on the CFA and asked your teachers 6 times to submit their recommendations - I just see them as incomplete. If someone reaches out to me and tells me that and that they're really interested and do they need an interview, of course I'll jump to do one. If not, I don't know that they thought about SLS, submitted some stuff, and then lost interest. A couple months ago we sent out about 30 emails to all candidates at that time - competitive or not. Probably got about 3 replies out of it. It's simply not worth the time expenditure to try to track everyone down who may have no interest any longer. If I see a file is complete, or close to complete, that's the time I would contact the candidate again about an interview. It certainly can't hurt to write an email or make a quick phone call and let your MALO know that you are still interested and find out what he wants to do from there!
 
Alright, I'm about to contact my MALO, but I have a state coordinator as well as a congressional district coordinator for my West Point Liaison Officers. Who should I contact for an interview?
 
marciemi- so, do you think that if we went to SLS and we are almost done with our application, it would be a good idea to contact our MALO? Because I am 100% interested in going to West Point and becoming an Army officer! (Even though my username is usafacademy4, I am still wanting to go to West Point) :p So is it possible that I might get an interview?
 
Is the meeting with your liason officer for an LOA?

He never mentioned anything about an LOA, so I doubt it. Plus, I haven't even sent in my transcript yet which is a big part of receiving an LOA (or so I've heard). I plan on getting that done as soon as possible, but I would like to talk to my counselor about it before I just type in his email address.

I imagine it's just a generic meeting type thing; I will update and let everyone know what it was about as soon as I meet him.
 
Just A Mom's analogy is AWESOME! I was reading it to my son here in the den and he was laying on the floor just laughing...LOL!
 
Okay, so I basically just got home from my meeting/interview with my MALO. Mine was actually somewhat of an interview; which sort of surprised me considering, from most of what I've read from other people, it was more like the candidates ask most of the questions. He was also filling out some sort of evaluation form to send on to my regional commander, I'm pretty sure.
 
You're not alone. I had my interview way back in April. I could have been more prepared. But he said it went very well though.
 
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