MOC Interview Tomorrow

AcademyHopeful_50

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I have my interview tomorrow with Congressman Platts' nomination board. I'm confident in my speaking skills and my reasoning but just wanted to know if there are any tips on interviewing with nomination boards.

For instance, what type of questions could they ask to curveball me, etc.? I've been prepping for the run-of-the-mill questions, but wanted to know what types of things I might see/hear during my interview.

Many thanks to any responders.
 
I have my interview tomorrow with Congressman Platts' nomination board. I'm confident in my speaking skills and my reasoning but just wanted to know if there are any tips on interviewing with nomination boards.

For instance, what type of questions could they ask to curveball me, etc.? I've been prepping for the run-of-the-mill questions, but wanted to know what types of things I might see/hear during my interview.

Many thanks to any responders.

I don't think they'll try to "curve-ball" you. These aren't "gotcha" interviews. Just be yourself and answer questions fully and thoughtfully.
 
confidence not cockiness. Be modest, but sell yourself.

Remember that all of the academies are great. Most times, your board will consist of academy graduates from all services...meaning that being disrespectful or saying "beat navy" may not have the effect you wanted. Be polite, and know some things about the other academies too. It shows you did your homework,and know why you chose your #1.


Eye contact, and posture are also important. I wrote out some bullet points that I knew I wanted to talk about, so when questions came up..I could pull those stories/answers in a calm and collected way.


Just a few small tips. Take a deep breath. The board is there to help you, they want as many to get in that can. So Be All You Can Be! :)
 
Big success!

CONGRATULATIONS then!!! :thumb: Would you mind sharing for those of us who have yet to do the interview how it was compared to what you thought the day before? Tips from the other side? Thanks!
 
Thank you for the advice guys.

The interview was fantastic! It was with 2 USMA grads, one USAFA grad, and one of my congressman's secretaries. They quizzed me on why I wanted to go to the academies, what I thought the mission of the academies was, honor code, etc. I nailed all of it. I;ve done alot of public speaking and interviews so the words came out eloquently and I think I did a pretty good job. The board was intimidating but slowly warmed up to me and even laughed.

Towards the end, one of the USMA graduates who was interviewing me said:
"About 8 years ago when I used to work out at the ******* YMCA, I met a young Navy Fighter pilot jock and his wife who was an Air Force pilot..."

Me: "My parents?"

It was a big, but pleasant surprise. My dad and him gave each other alot of grief before the Army-Navy games! :thumb: Them knowing my parents won't hurt!

I brought a comprehensive resume, recent grades, and my update form to the interview. The board really took a good look at everything, and talked a bit about my essays which they said were excellent.

Other than the common questions, I got no political/ethics questions other than the question regarding the honor code and if I could follow it. I feel very confident. Before entering the room, I was incredibly nervous, but when they start asking questions the nerves go away.

If you guys want to know anything else let me know! Good luck to all future interviewees.
 
Thank you for the advice guys.

The interview was fantastic! It was with 2 USMA grads, one USAFA grad, and one of my congressman's secretaries. They quizzed me on why I wanted to go to the academies, what I thought the mission of the academies was, honor code, etc. I nailed all of it. I;ve done alot of public speaking and interviews so the words came out eloquently and I think I did a pretty good job. The board was intimidating but slowly warmed up to me and even laughed.

Towards the end, one of the USMA graduates who was interviewing me said:
"About 8 years ago when I used to work out at the ******* YMCA, I met a young Navy Fighter pilot jock and his wife who was an Air Force pilot..."

Me: "My parents?"

It was a big, but pleasant surprise. My dad and him gave each other alot of grief before the Army-Navy games! :thumb: Them knowing my parents won't hurt!

I brought a comprehensive resume, recent grades, and my update form to the interview. The board really took a good look at everything, and talked a bit about my essays which they said were excellent.

Other than the common questions, I got no political/ethics questions other than the question regarding the honor code and if I could follow it. I feel very confident. Before entering the room, I was incredibly nervous, but when they start asking questions the nerves go away.

If you guys want to know anything else let me know! Good luck to all future interviewees.

Mooradian,

Sounds like you had a very good interview! I just interviewed with Congressman Platts' panel and I believe my interview went pretty well, although I got tripped up on a few questions.

The very first question the board asked me was, "Tell us something fun or interesting about yourself that we wouldn't know from your application."

The next question they asked was, "How did you first become interested in West Point?"

We also discussed soccer because one of the USMA graduates noted in the paper this morning that my soccer team made it to the girls' soccer county championship tomorrow night. I was also asked how I contributed to the team as one of the senior captains.

I was asked what my backup plan was and was also asked what I plan to do after I graduate from USMA.

I wasn't asked anything about the honor code or what I believe the mission of USMA is. I also wasn't directly asked why I wanted to go to West Point, but did a good job explaining that throughout the interview.

The panel also asked me to explain one part of my essays which they found "confusing," but I cleared it up pretty well I believe.

I agree, the panel is very intimidating at first, but they are very nice people who have a fun side. I got the panel to laugh quite a bit, and they gave me some advice in preparing for the CFA.

All in all, I think my interview went pretty good.

Future interviewees: Relax during the interview, the panel is not out to make you fail, they want you to succeed. Treat the interview as a friendly conversation, not an interrogation, and project your personality into the discussion. Practice in front of a mirror or arrange a practice interview, it really helped me to practice. Good luck!
 
Thank you both for sharing your experiences! I am really looking forward (with only a wee bit of nervousness) to my interview.
 
Towards the end, one of the USMA graduates who was interviewing me said:
"About 8 years ago when I used to work out at the ******* YMCA, I met a young Navy Fighter pilot jock and his wife who was an Air Force pilot..."

Me: "My parents?"

It was a big, but pleasant surprise. My dad and him gave each other alot of grief before the Army-Navy games! :thumb:

That's way cool! Small world, isn't it? :smile:
 
Definetly!

It was a good experience. I think I worried a bit much. I am confident I am competitive for a nomination.

While talking to the incredibly nice secretary before my interview, she said they interviewed 48 people and the majority were for USNA. I had USNA as my 2nd, USAFA as 3rd, and made my point clear that I would be ecstatic to go to any of them.

"USAFA, USNA, and USMA are essentially the 'same car', but each academy is a 'different color'". The board seemed to really like that analogy I made.

Was also told by one of the USMA grads that my decision to put USMA over USNA, regardless of my father begin a USNA grad, was a good move. My car accident last year 'knocked some sense into me' apparently. :rolleyes:
 
If I may, what do you mean by a an "update form"? And also, how comprehensive was your resume? Thanks :thumb:

dlee96,

The application for my congressman had an 'update form' that they asked us to bring the day of our interview with any updated test scores, the status of other nominations, status of academy applications, ROTC applications, etc, as well as ranking (once again) the service academies we would accept a nomination to.

For instance, my update form:

Nominations
Senator Toomey: Complete
Senator Casey: Complete
Vice President Joseph Biden: Complete
President Barack Obama: Complete
JROTC: N/A, not in JROTC

Academy Applications
USMA #1: Complete
USNA #2: Complete
USAFA #3: Complete

ROTC Applications
NROTC: Complete
AROTC: Complete
AFROTC: Complete


Pretty much looked just like that, with new scores. However my scores don't come out until next week.

My resume was entirely comprehensive, everything I've done freshman year on, to the present day.

Have any questions, let me know! :biggrin:
 
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