In Person vs. Zoom PMS Interview - ARMY ROTC

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NesherVII

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My son placed several calls to ROO's to talk about Army ROTC at their schools. He selected a school in his top three and asked the ROO if he could arrange a Zoom PMS Interview.

The ROO, after being informed that his selection status is 'Interviewee", told my son that the Zoom interviews are second tier ("weighted and scored less" the exact words) and are frowned upon by the Board when reviewing the application.

He was instructed that it was in his best interest to find a PMS close to home, and have the interview conducted locally, as those carry more weight with the Board.

I have had two other children go through this process, and we've never heard of anything like this before.

Can anyone confirm? If this is true, I totally understand. If not, why would he tell my son something like that?
Furthermore, is this is NOT true, this person is doing the school, the ROTC program, and the Army a great disservice.

Because my first words to my son was to remove that school from your list ASAP, and if you really want this school apply to the NROTC.
 
The preference is for in-person, but Zoom has become acceptable due to COVID. There is no weight in board scoring for whether the interview is in person or via VTC, just a drop down menu on the web-based interview write up. The quality of the write up of the interview is what is graded by the board, not the method of conduct. I can't speak to the motivation, potential ignorance, or competence of the person that your son spoke to, however as in any organization, there are some lazy people that only like to conduct interviews for people who placed their school as choice #1.

In-person is preferred, as there are no technical issues, and the interviewer can make a better assessment on the applicants' appearance (eg: professional attire, ht/wt, etc). I would recommend that your son do in-person with the closest PMS, as he can unintentionally hurt himself in the interview with Zoom. For example, was he more casual/informal during the interview since he is in his room/home? Was his background/room messy or distracting to the interviewer? Was their problems being heard, etc due to technical issues? Was he not wearing a suit, because he was home instead of at the PMS' office?

However, I would not judge the entire ROTC program of the school based on only one interaction with one individual.
 
MohawkArmyROTC said:
The preference is for in-person, but Zoom has become acceptable due to COVID. There is no weight in board scoring for whether the interview is in person or via VTC, just a drop down menu on the web-based interview write up. The quality of the write up of the interview is what is graded by the board, not the method of conduct. I can't speak to the motivation, potential ignorance, or competence of the person that your son spoke to, however as in any organization, there are some lazy people that only like to conduct interviews for people who placed their school as choice #1.

In-person is preferred, as there are no technical issues, and the interviewer can make a better assessment on the applicants' appearance (eg: professional attire, ht/wt, etc). I would recommend that your son do in-person with the closest PMS, as he can unintentionally hurt himself in the interview with Zoom. For example, was he more casual/informal during the interview since he is in his room/home? Was his background/room messy or distracting to the interviewer? Was their problems being heard, etc due to technical issues? Was he not wearing a suit, because he was home instead of at the PMS' office?

However, I would not judge the entire ROTC program of the school based on only one interaction with one individual.
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Appreciate your counsel. Funny thing is, this was his #1 school choice, but I get your meaning totally. I'll share your post with my son. He will take it from there.
 
My son did a Zoom interview with the PMS at his first choice school because the ROO told him that was best. He said the PMS would be more likely to spend time writing a great review if they knew you would be joining their program. I don't know if that's true, but the interview went very well. They discussed football at said school, etc. He was awarded a four year scholarship, and I really think the interview made a difference.
 
Jer26 said:
My son did a Zoom interview with the PMS at his first choice school because the ROO told him that was best. He said the PMS would be more likely to spend time writing a great review if they knew you would be joining their program. I don't know if that's true, but the interview went very well. They discussed football at said school, etc. He was awarded a four year scholarship, and I really think the interview made a difference.
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Awesome. Thank you...
 
We all come off better in person than on Zoom. So if a candidate wants to make the best possible impression, it behooves them to meet the PMS face to face. Some believe that meeting with the PMS at their preferred school gives them a leg up with admissions there, but I’ve yet to see/hear evidence of that on SAF. (Keeping in mind the difference between correlation and causation, of course.)

DD interviewed with the PMS at our flagship state U, which happens to be 10 miles away. She had zero intention of attending that school, but applied to it and listed it among her schools on the ROTC scholarship app. In the end, she got the scholarship placed at three of her top five schools, so it all worked out.
 
Prior to Covid I think there was a definite advantage to in person interviews. Some people are nervous looking into a camera and some people who conduct interviews don't like looking at a small screen.

When I have done interviews I ask the applicant to ensure they have a high quality web camera even if they have to borrow one from a friend. My setup at GWU allows me to display the zoom call on our 85 inch 4K resolution screen. If they are dressed haphazardly it will definitely show.

I also tell them up front I would like to record the interview but only the audio portion. It helps me remember things when I am writing up the interview sheet.

And for NROTC, one of the first steps for the interviewer is to review the package for completeness and point out any obvious issues. This part gets overlooked sometimes when Lieutenants are doing the interview.

My feeling is you should try to get a PNS or PMS to do the interview if possible, and whether or not it is the person from your top choice os a matter of personal preference.

I just know that for NROTC boards they track the number of interviews conducted as well as the average score for each PNS. So if I write that you are in the top 5 of 93 interviews conducted, it is going to resonate with the board who is reading the interview sheet.
 
GWU PNS said:
Prior to Covid I think there was a definite advantage to in person interviews. Some people are nervous looking into a camera and some people who conduct interviews don't like looking at a small screen.

When I have done interviews I ask the applicant to ensure they have a high quality web camera even if they have to borrow one from a friend. My setup at GWU allows me to display the zoom call on our 85 inch 4K resolution screen. If they are dressed haphazardly it will definitely show.

I also tell them up front I would like to record the interview but only the audio portion. It helps me remember things when I am writing up the interview sheet.

And for NROTC, one of the first steps for the interviewer is to review the package for completeness and point out any obvious issues. This part gets overlooked sometimes when Lieutenants are doing the interview.

My feeling is you should try to get a PNS or PMS to do the interview if possible, and whether or not it is the person from your top choice os a matter of personal preference.

I just know that for NROTC boards they track the number of interviews conducted as well as the average score for each PNS. So if I write that you are in the top 5 of 93 interviews conducted, it is going to resonate with the board who is reading the interview sheet.
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Thank you!
 
Prior to the global plague, DS was in the AROTC scholarship hunt as well as SA appointments. Interviews were all in person. His AROTC PMS interview was with a local school that was his plan C because the SMC was over 1000 miles away. Interviewer spent about 1 1/2 to 2 hours with DS. He had many kind things to say , one of which was something like “We would really like to have you in our unit, but I’m sure you will be offered an appointment to WP and wish you all the best!”
I spoke with him casually after and was really impressed with his professionalism and dedication to helping DS with direction and feedback. Even told DS to call him anytime if he needed anything.
I will say that today’s world may be a little different than back then (Fall 2016), but the interview is every bit as important. Do not take any interviews lightly. Always interview in person if that is an option. It will typically give you the best opportunity to express your best self (if you execute properly). Interviews on the civilian job market are weighed heavily and can make or break a candidate being offered a position (I’ve conducted many). The SA and ROTC interviews are likely considered and weighed very heavily as well IMO.
If a preferred ROTC unit is too far away, reach out locally to a PMS for an interview, but nail the interview!
 
GWU PNS said:
I do have picture in picture capability, so I can do an interview while watching the game. Just need to keep any drinks out of the camera frame.
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Tongue-in-cheek emoji needed.🤣
 
Son because of Covid of course had to do his interview via Zoom with the local PMS who was 3rd?? on his list. By that time he was very comfortable with zoom calls. He is a recruited athlete, so he spend the majority of his junior spring (2020) on zoom calls with coaches.

Daughter is working on her package as well. Reason I mention this is she interviews a lot better in person. If there was a choice I would definitely encourage her to take the in person interview.

Could be the different between a 4yr, 3yr, or no scholarship.
 
I know my DS placed a lot of importance on his interview. He did it via zoom. He and I discussed it beforehand and we really felt like it made most sense to interview with his #1 choice. Human nature is what it is no matter how professional the interviewer is. He had a very close full list of 7 schools and even closer top 3. I think the communication before interview with ROO ended up being what swayed his top choice...so it made it logical to interview there. It ended up being zoom mainly because all his schools are 2600 miles away. We both agreed to big a deal to leave to chance that local interviewer who wasn't in his Top 7 would say great things about him just because he was in person.
 
I am so thankful for this thread. My DS has heard different things from different ROO's. He has had one ROO who said he would recommend interviewing at his #1 school. When he reached out to his top school they said it would potentially be via zoom. If in-person is available then I think DS should go in person.
 
It can also depend on the interviewer. I’ll chime in with maybe a different perspective. It *could* be that the interviewer is not comfortable with zoom. I know we (BGO) are supposed to be able to do both…and I can….but I would 100pct prefer in person. Mostly for my own comfort level. I don’t use technology in my every day life. I can hardly find the ‘mute’ or ‘camera’ button on my iPad. And I’m highly distracted seeing myself on screen when in a meeting.

Imo, if allowed and able, in person is the way to go. Even if it’s not with your #1 choice school. I can’t see where an in person discussion doesn’t have a better opportunity to connect and make a best impression.
 
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