Interview

gocubsgo

5-Year Member
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I am a Jr. and will be applying to SLS. If I make it in I hear there is an interview. What is the format of the interview? Who interviews you? Is it just "why do you want to go to USMA" or is it more than that? I was going to work on my interview skills after SLS (if I got in) because I thought then I would have more answers. The interview scares me the most. What if they ask me why I want to attend and I answer something stupid like, "because its a great engineering school and who wants to follow the typical path and I know it would be great for my future." That is my reason. but it doesn't sound good enough does it? I feel like I should have some kind of better reason, like "I want to help protect people."
 
I am a Jr. and will be applying to SLS. If I make it in I hear there is an interview. What is the format of the interview? Who interviews you? Is it just "why do you want to go to USMA" or is it more than that? I was going to work on my interview skills after SLS (if I got in) because I thought then I would have more answers. The interview scares me the most. What if they ask me why I want to attend and I answer something stupid like, "because its a great engineering school and who wants to follow the typical path and I know it would be great for my future." That is my reason. but it doesn't sound good enough does it? I feel like I should have some kind of better reason, like "I want to help protect people."

It's an admissions interview. Your squad leader should interview you. He or she should follow the standard USMA interview form. If you don't get into SLS, no big deal as many that gets rejected for SLS still get their appointments, you could still be interviewed by a local liasion officer. At least my RC prefers interviews done by local liasion officers. Typically local liasion officers are more mature and experienced than a cadet squad leader. No offense to cadet squad leaders. They might be able to say you will be a good cadet, but unless they have good prioir enlisted experience they can't really say you will become a good Army officer.

I think you are on the right path as you think '"because its a great engineering school and who wants to follow the typical path and I know it would be great for my future" might be a stupid answer. It's not a bad answer, but I would say you need to explain it better.

Do you really think you attend a SA to "help protect people?" Let me put my disclaimer as this is my opinion - you need to think about what the primary purpose of the Army is. Let me give you a hint, after you graduate from West Point, you don't join the Peace Corps.
 
Yeah, what MemberLG said. I'm sure there is more to your reasoning than you stated were you to look inside deep enough. In any case you should always answer honestly. There is no skill to being interviewed other than speaking coherently and fully. Work on that. Think about yourself and your desires at more than a superficial level.

If the reason you stated you want to go to the academy is actually the reason, then I would suggest the academy is not for you. There are plenty of fine engineering schools out there where you don't need to follow the "normal" route. The Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, or any of the senior military colleges come to mind.
 
I saw this posted someplace else.

Why do you want to go to USMA?
It is a question that admissions asks candidates and the breakdown of answers:

For the class of 2008:
37% desire to be an army officer
29% USMA's overall reputation
24% self development
18% academic program
19% leadership training
7% athletics
4% economics
3% family influences
 
What is the format of the interview? Who interviews you? Is it just "why do you want to go to USMA" or is it more than that?

The interview is 4-5 days long and consists of many activities and interactions with cadet cadre & other SLS attendees. :smile:

IE: the assessment / interview is done by your squad leader in most cases, and may be very simple if they feel they got to know you well in SLS. And may be more complex if they have unanswered questions or concerns.

So instead of sweating interview questions, focus on getting prepped for USMA, go to SLS with a can-do, team player attitude, and you'll do well. :thumb:

It's been stated several times in the past that a good SLS interview won't get you in USMA, but a bad one most likely will keep you out.
 
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