ALO Interview

I was wondering when ALO interviews are usually conducted. Since, I am a candidate now can I ask for my ALO if we can set up an interview? My memory from last year is a bit rusty. Trying to get this done before I leave the state for school.

Thanks

Much depends on how far along in the application you are. It might be possible if you explain that you are leaving for school soon. Maybe one of the ALO on this forum can give better direction on this particular "for instance".

Kdc is correct. Admissions prefers that we wait until you've made significant progress on your application. 1) so we don't waste our time if u aren't really interested. 2) in case it looks like u might not qualify. But "significant" is subjective. U can ask your ALO and they will probably say yes.

The system for ALO interviews has been changed by USAFA/RR.

It "used to be" that we'd do them as soon as you'd been notified you were an official candidate. So we'd tell folks to contact their ALO ASAP and get on this! BUT...now (especially now) we're holding off on the interviews a bit.

Why?

Because this past class and the coming class are smaller than normal. We brought in @1,033 with the class of 2016 (down now to less than 1,000) and next year we're "maybe" looking at 100 or so more slots. Therefore, USAFA would like to see the packages DONE...everything in...and the ALO interview is NOT a "rush" item. "CC" can confirm, it used to be we'd get notified we had a candidate and we had an AF Form 4060 to do (that's the interview form we fill out) and we'd have a 45 day suspense to complete the interview and evaluation.

Now? Let's just say I have a bunch already on the system...and they're not due this year. I can do them earlier but I will not until the candidate is almost complete with their package. Again, this is not to hurt the candidate; far from it, I want them to get ALL they can. By waiting we (ALO, USAFA, Candidate) get the best writeup we can at that moment.

Yes, the ALO can "amend" their 4060 later but...let's deliver a knockout punch when we send it up!!!

So...I would definitely contact your ALO, speak to him/her about all the questions you have, and ask about the timing for the interview. They may say "let's do it NOW..." or they may say "...let's not rush it, we have plenty of time." That is NOT going to hurt your chances in ANY way!!!

And one thing I will add although you didn't ask about it.

FORGET ABOUT LOA's (this is for everyone else reading) THIS YEAR!!!

I doubt ANY will be given out except for NCAA recruits to meet "signing suspenses." Just my opinion but...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Thanks for the replies. So, if my ALO says lets wait, can the interview be conducted through the phone later?

McCoy said:

Thanks for the replies. So, if my ALO says lets wait, can the interview be conducted through the phone later?

Click to expand...

Under certain circumstance, yes, the interview can be done over the phone. We don't normally like to do that, but there are exceptions. E.g. Military Brat applying and they live overseas, and their ALO overseas isn't in the same area. Again; do as steve said and talk to your ALO. They "CAN" do it earlier. Each scenario is unique.

Steve is also correct in that except for a few athletes, because of NCAA signing day requirements, who might be given an LOA, they aren't going to be given out like in the past. There may or may not be some "Early Appointments" for some who are in the "No Brainer Club" who have military related nominations early. E.g. presidential, ROTC, etc... Also; there are "SOME" MOC's who do their nominations as early as November. But again; even the early appointments are going to be far and few between. The academy knows that they are going to have record numbers of applicants, and far fewer slots than in past years. They will want to get the best candidates possible.

This is NOT to say that you should wait until January to finish your application. The "HUMAN FACTOR" is still a very important and subjective element in the appointment and nomination process. Those who finish their applications the earliest, are DODMRB qualified, etc... tend to be looked on very favorably by MOCs and the admissions board as those who really are committed to the academy. Especially if they are part of the top-10% type applicant who obviously has other academic options from other universities. E.g. the 4.0gpa; #1-#5 class rank; 32ACT/2100SAT; etc...

Anyway; best of luck to everyone. Contact your ALO's. If you have any unique situations, let them know about it. Take care... Mike....

I would also rather do it in person than over the phone. I will talk to him as suggested. Thanks again.

McCoy,

I am a little confused here. If I am correct you are a re-applicant going AFROTC, thus you have been through the process already.

I will admit, if my memory serves me correctly the AFA may decide to assign you a new ALO, thus, my apologies, but in essence it still is the same process.

As a re-applicant you know you will be contacted by the ALO, and just my 0.016980234 cents you need to utilize this time working out physically so when you get to AFROTC your PFT scores are MAX.

As an AFROTC cadet you get one more nom...ROTC. People do not exaggerate when they say 1st impressions matter. That PFT score will matter. You don't know if no other cadet or 5 other cadets are applying to the AFA. All you know is you are, and you have only 1 1st impression.

Part of life is understanding what you can and cannot control. You cannot control when the ALO is assigned to you, you can control your PFT. I have stated on another thread that the PFT is done within a week hitting college, it is not an exaggeration. They do it that fast because scholarship recipients need their scores to activate the scholarship. I think DS's det., did their PFA on the 2nd day of PT.

4 yrs ago when DS went to AFROTC he spent the summer training. I mean everything from running in the rain at 6 a.m. to butterfly kicks, 1 arm push ups and swimming laps daily. He trained so hard it was both a positive and a negative.

Positive, he maxed the PFT, at his det. if you max than you are allowed to train on your own, not the OMG hr of 6 a.m.

Negative, your job is PT instructor, so you still do PT at 6 a.m.

Negative, he was all muscle. He is 5'10, weighed 147 lbs. He had to be constantly taped, and was told if he lost 3 lbs. it would be a problem medically.

ALO's understand you are in college. You need to shine, just like in HS. Busting or getting a 95 on your PFT will not WOW them. Nor will it WOW your AFROTC CoC who can nom you too, and who will write a rec.

Time to prioritize. Getting the ALO interview over should not be at the top of your list. Sorry CC and Flieger.

Getting your Nom essays done and working out should be your number 1 priority. Discussing with your AFROTC CoC should also be a priority too, not saying it is above ALO, saying that you shouldn't blindside them because you didn't want to tell them out of fear. ROTC CoC's support their cadets more than you can comprehend. They are not trying to stop any cadet, it is the exact opposite, they are their number 1 fans. It doesn't mean they do not believe that AFROTC cadets are not equal to AFA cadets, it just means that their goal is to produce the best officer for the AF. Not the best AFA or AFROTC officer. The best AF officer.

Pima, Steve and I mentioned contacting the ALO because the op is going to school out of state and could get an ALO from his home state which could make an interview inconvenient. Maybe he can get on locally. In our state, the Rotc also can do ALO duties. Just like I can do interviews for Rotc.