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Grooming and attire. Well-cut hair, clean nails, no heavy body fragrance, no date-night make-up, no jangly jewelry. Well-pressed and well-fitting clothing. Shined shoes, if they are shineable, and no athletic shoes. There are several “interview” threads here on SAF you can search on what to wear. Use the internal Search function here on SAF or a targeted external Google search using variations on: site:
www.serviceacademyforums.com congressional interview advice.
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Well-prepared. If you haven’t already, dive deeply into the SA website(s) so you know the basics. Be ready to articulate your “why.” If you can do a mock interview with a family member or someone else, do it. It’s essentially a job interview, on which there are infinite articles on the internet. Do your homework on all 5 SAs and be clear on why you are/are not applying to them. Recognize the SA is a 4-year waystation to the end goal of a commission and at least 5 years of active duty after that. Know the basics on what you are signing up for. Be prepared to address your alternate plans.
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Body language. Sit up straight. Figure out in advance what to do with your hands. Make eye contact - not the creepy kind - but when you respond to your interviewer, and if there is a panel, as you speak, you let your eyes shift naturally to other panel members. Handshake - firm and professional, no matter whose hand you are shaking. Not a bone-crusher. Not what you may have been taught to shake an older woman’s hand with (what I call the “limp fish” - save that for other settings).
- Don’t make a
snarky reference to another SA or service, thinking that will score you points. If there is a panel, it is likely multi-service. Yes, service members trash-talk each other as family members do, but you are not in that club yet. And no, JROTC, CAP, Sea Cadets, while fine activities, do not give you status in that club. If you are prior enlisted, just be sensible.
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Re-read the essay you submitted, so you can respond to any questions and not contradict yourself.
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Be prepared with questions of your own, if you are given that opportunity. Don’t ask questions whose answers can be found on the SA website or with basic legwork by you. You can ask “Ma’am, I heard you say you attended the Naval Academy and became a helo pilot in the Marines. What were the main factors that helped you choose one SA and service over another?” “Sir, you mentioned you retired after 30 years. What made you stay in the Air Force for a full career? How did that prepare you for your civilian career?”
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Be yourself. Don’t be so over-prepared you sound like you are delivering canned answers by rote. Smile. Engage, read the room. The panel wants to get to know you a little bit, so let them see you.
There are all kinds of internet articles on high school and college interviews. Examples:
An interview can help your chances of admission. Learn how to answer the most common college interview questions confidently.
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Fall is an exciting and nerve-wrecking time for seniors both in high school and college. High school seniors are (in some cases) being interviewed as part of their college application…
admissions.rochester.edu
Don't let an upcoming college admission interview stress you out. Read on to get the college interview tips your need to make the right impression!
www.scoir.com
There are dozens like this. Look for what makes sense for your nom interview setting.
