ROTC Interview/ High School Rigor

degli

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May 28, 2013
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Does the PMS take into account the "type" of high school the applicant is attending. I know that colleges look at grading, rigor when they account for the applicants overall grades/gpa and acceptance. Will this help my son as his high school has a very rigorous workload and grading system?
 
We literally just walked back in the door after being gone almost all day to take our DS for his interview. When DS filled out his application, he made it a point to note that he attended a "competitive" high school, so that they knew that A's weren't handed out like candy. I also think there's an area on the guidance counselor form for information about the school (i.e. percentage of graduates that end up at Ivy League vs. private vs. public vs. community college vs. technical schools, etc.). During the interview the PMS went through my son's transcripts and hi-lited classes that he felt provided rigor (some of them were even electives that didn't provide additional weight with his GPA, but that he felt were substantive, rather than "blow off" classes). So, rigor definitely matters.
 
So how was the interview?

Hi Cajun! I just posted about it over on the interview thread! Lol! DS said that the PMS that interviewed him used the form more as a general guide, rather than as a verbatim (sp?) form for the interview. He said the opening & closing statements were almost identical to what the PMS said. Thank you again for all your help!
 
So the pms should see this information from the counselor as he ia interviewing my son?
 
So the pms should see this information from the counselor as he ia interviewing my son?

The short answer is, I'm not sure. My son was instructed to bring a packet of information with him (I.e. copies of transcripts, test scores, print screens of his application, etc.) I thought it seemed like a bit of a strange request because you'd think that they'd be able to access the application. But perhaps they can't see everything. I would definitely have your son bring it up in the interview if his grades become a significant topic of conversation.

If the guidance counselor form that we can print out from the application portal is the same form that the guidance counselor actually provides to CC via the email they respond to, then the board will see this important information. I'm just not sure if the interviewer will be able to see the same thing. I hope this makes sense.
 
Anyone else have experience with this?

I think the PMS I interviewed with could only see the online application filled out. He didn't have a list of the classes I took or anything, but he was able to see the activities I listed, my school selections in order, and my preferred major. So take a resume with everything else you want him to know.
 
Does the PMS take into account the "type" of high school the applicant is attending. I know that colleges look at grading, rigor when they account for the applicants overall grades/gpa and acceptance. Will this help my son as his high school has a very rigorous workload and grading system?

This is definitely taken into account when the application goes before the board. The school profile which the GC sends to them is a large factor in considering an applicant's GPA and class standing. I do not know if it's visible to a PMS during an interview but I don't think it really matters. The purpose of the interview is not to assess one's scholastic ability to the third decimal, but to get an overall feel for a candidate that statistics on paper do not reveal. I wouldn't worry whether the PMS can or can't see this stuff one whit. If necessary it's always something your DS can speak to during the interview. That will be more than sufficient.
 
highschool rigor

Does the interviewer (as is the case with most college interviewers) personally know of the rigor of your highschool? My highschool is top ten for rigor in the state of California and I have a 3.8 unweighted and a 3.97 weighted. How will this compare to a 4 or higher from a less academic highschool? Also will my 2290/1560 sat make up for an average sports/leadership record? (3 years soccer no leadership in sports, but concertmaster of school orchestra, first violin for six years, been playing and taking private lessons for 14 years, president and past officer of very active political club on campus, member of varsity debate(not very active club though), 4 ap us history, 4 european history, 5 english lit, 4 chemistry, am taking ap gov calc and physics now, also school doesn't rank)
Thanks
Underwood
 
Does the interviewer (as is the case with most college interviewers) personally know of the rigor of your highschool? My highschool is top ten for rigor in the state of California and I have a 3.8 unweighted and a 3.97 weighted. How will this compare to a 4 or higher from a less academic highschool? Also will my 2290/1560 sat make up for an average sports/leadership record?

I don't necessarily think that the interviewer would be aware of the rigor of your high school. However, the board that is making the decision as to whether or not you are awarded a scholarship will. Your guidance counselor is required to provide the board with information regarding the rigor of the high school so that they are able to make a more informed decision about scholarship awards. I personally can't speak in depth about whether your test scores will make up for an average sports/leadership record. I do know that the board wants a well-rounded applicant. But, there are long-term posters out here that would be better qualified to analyze your stats and give you their opinion based on what they've seen over the years. That being said, however, past board results don't necessarily indicate what will happen this year. It depends on so many other variables (i.e. money available to be awarded, your school selections, the competition you're up against this year, etc.)

I wish you the best of luck!
 
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