ROTC versus SA interview

jrw0531

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Hello all!

I have an interview for the NROTC Scholarship soon and was wondering how similar/different this is from my Service Academy/Nomination one I did a couple months ago. What do I need to prepare for differently? Do I need to research more specifically about that school? Thanks!
 
Hello all!

I have an interview for the NROTC Scholarship soon and was wondering how similar/different this is from my Service Academy/Nomination one I did a couple months ago. What do I need to prepare for differently? Do I need to research more specifically about that school? Thanks!
It's not going to be much different. There just won't be "Why are you excited about SA" questions. A lot "tell me about a time when" questions
 
While the questions may be similar, generally, the MOC nomination interview may be conducted by a panel of veterans and community leaders. On the other hand, ROTC PMS or PNS interviews are usually conducted one on one or perhaps 2 on 1 if the recruiting officer sits in as well. Hence, the ROTC interview may be more interactive and have a more "casual" feel to it as opposed to the more formal congressional interview.

Candidates should practice interviewing under both scenarios, as a MOC panel of 4 to 6 people interviewing you at one time can be intimidating if you are unprepared.
 
The main difference I noticed between NROTC and MOC interviews is that the NROTC one was an hour long, compared to maybe half an hour max for the MOC ones (with other candidates interviewing right before/after me). Can't speak for the BGO one, but I imagine it would be more similar to the NROTC one.
(edit - just saw something else in the question :))
You probably won't need to know anything in particular about the school - there weren't any questions about it in my interview. Maybe review what you wrote about why you picked your first choice school, but the person interviewing you will have your application, including that.
 
For both of my kids, my DS for NROTC and DD for AF ROTC, we found the interviews much more extensive and longer. His was about an hour, hers was over 90 minutes. Similar questions, but much more thorough.
 
2 cycles ago our DS interviewed at one of the two large universities for our state. It was over an hour, it was extensive, detailed and he said, the hardest of any interview he had. The interviewer was a USNA alumnus (certificate on the wall, and a ring) and was very intense. At one point, he looked at the list of colleges and noted sternly that the school where the interview was being held wasn't on the list. DS thought it was a total loss at that point. He answered honestly that he didn't want to attend that particular college and why (too close to mom and dad, lol).

When the interview was over, the alumnus cracked a smile, and said, "don't stress about not listing this school on the list, it wouldn't have been my top 5 either". They then chatted about USNA for a bit and shook hands. Scary, stern demeanor was gone post-interview.

I would say, just like with MOC interview, the candidate should be familiar with the different jobs in that particular service, be able to give examples of specific impacts they've had on a club or team. Speak to a challenge you have faced and overcome, be able to articulate how you can be a positive contribution to the community you are seeking to join.
 
It's not going to be much different. There just won't be "Why are you excited about SA" questions. A lot "tell me about a time when" questions
Great, thank you so much! I definitely have some noted from my last interviews, so that's good to know.
 
While the questions may be similar, generally, the MOC nomination interview may be conducted by a panel of veterans and community leaders. On the other hand, ROTC PMS or PNS interviews are usually conducted one on one or perhaps 2 on 1 if the recruiting officer sits in as well. Hence, the ROTC interview may be more interactive and have a more "casual" feel to it as opposed to the more formal congressional interview.

Candidates should practice interviewing under both scenarios, as a MOC panel of 4 to 6 people interviewing you at one time can be intimidating if you are unprepared.
Thank you, that is great information! I was fine with the panel interview, but maybe it will be similar to the BGO which is also one on one! Great help!
 
The main difference I noticed between NROTC and MOC interviews is that the NROTC one was an hour long, compared to maybe half an hour max for the MOC ones (with other candidates interviewing right before/after me). Can't speak for the BGO one, but I imagine it would be more similar to the NROTC one.
(edit - just saw something else in the question :))
You probably won't need to know anything in particular about the school - there weren't any questions about it in my interview. Maybe review what you wrote about why you picked your first choice school, but the person interviewing you will have your application, including that.
Thank you for the information! I didn't know how much the school really mattered like it's history, majors or particular academic programs. I definitely know why it is my first choice school though! Holds a special place in my heart.
 
2 cycles ago our DS interviewed at one of the two large universities for our state. It was over an hour, it was extensive, detailed and he said, the hardest of any interview he had. The interviewer was a USNA alumnus (certificate on the wall, and a ring) and was very intense. At one point, he looked at the list of colleges and noted sternly that the school where the interview was being held wasn't on the list. DS thought it was a total loss at that point. He answered honestly that he didn't want to attend that particular college and why (too close to mom and dad, lol).

When the interview was over, the alumnus cracked a smile, and said, "don't stress about not listing this school on the list, it wouldn't have been my top 5 either". They then chatted about USNA for a bit and shook hands. Scary, stern demeanor was gone post-interview.

I would say, just like with MOC interview, the candidate should be familiar with the different jobs in that particular service, be able to give examples of specific impacts they've had on a club or team. Speak to a challenge you have faced and overcome, be able to articulate how you can be a positive contribution to the community you are seeking to join.
Great, thank you for the help! I will definitely do some more preparation with the longer time added to it. I was able to get an interview with my first choice school which is exciting because I really do love that particular program. I am very excited for this!
 
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