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Nomination Sources
Getting a Nomination is a vital part of getting in to a Service Academy. At the time of this writing, the United States Coast Guard Academy does not have that requirement, but it is pending Congressional Approval for that to change. |
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Nominations I am mentoring a young man who just finished 10th grade (sophomore year). He has natural academic abilities in science and math. Since the family cannot afford to pay for college all the service academies are attractive to him.
Can he ask for nominations to multiple academies from a single member of congress? Vice-president? Are the academies aware of the student’s multiple choice approach and do they take offense?
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Service Academy Nomination Interview Ideas So you want to make a GREAT impression when you go to interview for your Nomination...
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What to do?
Well, you could...be on time (or early!).
You could look well dressed and clean cut.
You could appear calm and collected instead of rushed and frazzled.
"Fine, OK, I know..." you think to yourself. What are some GOOD ideas! Not so fast. There are literally THOUSANDS of interviews in HUNDREDS of locations. You may have to drive hours to attend.
So let me put it in another way... If you were going to pick up a check for $400,000, but you HAD to be there at a certain time, what would you do to prepare? When I pose this question to students, the imagination SOARS! Back-up vehicles and drivers, checking the spare tire, paper maps in case the GPS fails, the list goes on. For some reason, immediate gratifications calls for immediate action. Unfortunately when the payoff is a $400,000 SCHOLARSHIP, starting NEXT YEAR, the response is not so intense. You and I both know that someone with an interview is yelling, "MOM, WHERE is my TIE??? You KNOW, the BLUE ONE!" just hours before the interview. As you walk to the interview building, you KNOW somewhere a Dad is circling the block frantically looking for parking as his sullen candidate son is cursing his luck. You KNOW someone is staring at the low fuel light debating what to do and if they can get there because they are running late.
Could this possibly be YOU?
I think it can. MOST candidates leave it up to others. If you're not driving, you leave it up to the driver! It is his/her job, right?
That is one attitude. Let me introduce you to another.
One of the common interview question is, "What did you do to prepare for this interview?". Most candidates will have the classic, "I studied", I read a book, blah-blah-blah" and I'm not saying that should not be your answer. HOWEVER, everybody likes to feel important. Why not let the interview board know that you appreciate their time as well. Show you took the MEETING seriously. Have a SECOND PART to that answer. What I did to prepare for getting HERE included...
-having a back-up vehicle and driver just in case
-printing out alternate directions
-Google MAPS for a picture of this building
-arriving 2 hrs early (I bought my Dad breakfast at such-and-such restaurant to bribe him)
or whatever you did to be ready.
What do you think this interview is about, anyway? If it was a straight up grades and SAT score evaluation, there would BE NO INTERVIEW. They are looking for MORE. Give it to them! Actions, not words! You want to go to the Academy? Act like it. Act like it is important to you. Work k for it.
Good Luck! |
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Service Academy Member Of Congress (MOC) interview Tips If you have been invited for an interview as part of earning a NOMINATION for a Service Academy...
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Congratulations!
This means a few things, all good. It means you were able to submit and complete the information requirements. It means that you met the minimum standards (usually SAT, ACT and GPA oriented). It means you have gotten through the first screen set to limit the number of applicants. The USUAL next event is the interview.
Quick disclaimer. There are OTHER nomination sources to which you CANNOT apply. There are OTHER sources that simply look at your application and any recommendations and grant you a nomination. You'll NEVER know who, how, or why. The important thing is to NEVER GIVE UP!
Back to the interview.
An entire book is due to be released on this topic, but allow me to summarize a few short ideas and tips...
1) Look the part!
If you were sitting behind a desk and had a bunch of 16,17, and 18 year old students coming to you seeking a $400,000 scholarship...who would you pick? Who would walk away with your name on his/her recommendation sheet? You would probably like to pick a winner!
The Students are requesting support to attend military school. But since they are not YET in military school, they certainly have the right to wear whatever they want. The implication is that they will change (honest) as soon as they get to whatever $400,000 school.
DON'T BE THAT STUDENT! Show you are ready NOW!
-Get a hair cut!
-Wear a tie or formal outfit (ladies)
-Shine your shoes!
There may be an intro section as you enter the interview, so practice your handshake. Don't start the interview with a negative first impression!
Look the part!
2) Act the PART!
It is reasonable at your age that this could be your first interview. Nobody would EXPECT you to be well rehearsed, or would they?
If you had a chance to go on a golf course and take one putt for a $400,000 award, would you practice? How about this... you don't even have to get the ball in the hole, you just have to get it closer than your competition! Would you practice? The amazing thing is that students who have NEVER held a golf club would gladly go buy clubs and practice for the above scenario, and the same student WILL NEVER practice for a Service Academy interview. They KNOW that they have never been interviewed before, but they are willing to wing it.
Does this make any sense?
So go rehearse? Makes sense. The next question. With whom? If you have made it to this point (and most never make the effort) there is a huge trap in your interview choice. DO NOT PRACTICE WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALSO NEVER HAD AN INTERVIEW! Find an adult.
-Practice an interview with adult(s) posing questions. Have some questions you do not expect.
-Video tape the interview and watch it
-Wear what you will wear at the actual interview to the rehearsal
-REPEAT
You will probably be horrified by the number of times you say, "Um", "Uh", "Like". The interviewers have seen it all. You do NOT want to be the person the interviewers laugh and tell stories about. Be the rehearsed candidate. It is not so much that you get huge negative points for stumbling in the interview as much as you get huge bonus points for being ready. You are competing with those around you.
Act the Part!
3) Show don't tell!
I've written this before but it just keeps coming up. When asked about your motivation and reasoning for attending a Service Academy, actions speak louder than words.
When you sit in the waiting room with other students waiting for your turn at the interview, it is an easy bet that there are more "Qualified" students around you. Somebody is going to have a higher SAT. Somebody else has more varsity letters. At least one person has some college classes under his or her belt. I would hazard to guess that if every interviewee had their GPA, SAT Scores, etc written in magic marker on their foreheads as you waited together for your interview, many MANY candidates would walk out before the interview. If you, the 17 year old student could SEE the scores you were up against, you would probably quit right now. And that is fine. The world is full of quitters and they would have an IMPOSSIBLE time at a Service Academy.
THE FACT IS THAT YOU MADE IT! THEY HAVE AN INTERVIEW FOR A REASON! The scores are now tied, so time to shake off any doubts and show them you are the best choice. If the GPA, SAT, and the other data points were so important they wouldn't have this labor intensive interview. You're in!
Now don't screw it up!
If you think about it, this is the easy part! Why?
Because your competition did NOT rehearse. They don't have your advantages. And even when the very rare "natural" is there, you will still be better. How? How can you compete when the perfectly dressed interviewee strides in confidently and never stutters, never blinks. How can you compete with that?
Because everyone is going to be asked, "Why?". Why do you want this? How long have you been thinking of this school? What do you contribute?
And everybody except you is going to "tell" a story. It happens every year.
Why?
Because I really, REALLY want to go!
I've wanted this since I was little!
I will be the most dedicated student EVER!
If this were a job interview, would you hire a person with these answers?
How about this...
Why? I was looking at engineering schools for ROTC and I learned that the Academy was top 10 in the nation. Since I want an engineering degree and Officer, it seems like a strong choice.
Can you see how this SHOWS your interest instead of just TELLING?
So best of luck!
LOOK THE PART
ACT THE PART
SHOW DON'T TELL
These steps will ALWAYS work and will place you in the top of any interview group.
Good LUCK! |
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Service Academy Nomination Interview Mistakes You've asked about Service Academy Nomination Interview advice and you've heard the same things...
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What do they say? Dress well. Firm Handshake. Blah blah blah. Does that really help?
I'd like to point out some things NOT to do. The idea of this is to give you some ideas about where your interview prep may be lacking. It is not to be used as a map of landmines to avoid and breeze through the interview, because life just doesn't work that way...
As an aside, if you approach this as a job interview you will be much better served. There are many job interview books out there. The library is full of them. Read one, or two, or more...
Please consider the following true and poor responses.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO TO THE blank ACADEMY?
It is the only school I can afford.
Do NOT SAY BECAUSE IT IS FREE!!! I don't have a problem with that helping to point you toward the Academy. The problem is that if that is your reason to go, you probably won't make it through the first week. A very wise friend who attended the Naval Academy with me once said, "The Naval Academy takes a million dollar education and stuffs it down your throat one nickel at a time", only he didn't say "throat", and he said "up" not "Down". The Academies are hard. If you are trying to save a buck, you will find it is not worth the effort. The interviewers KNOW this and will rank you low for that answer. IMPORTANT NOTE- You still need to answer this one!
Why do you want to attend?
Because I have always wanted this!
Do NOT SAY, " Because I really, really, REALLY want to go!" .
Every year applicants spend countless hours and enormous effort to apply to an Academy, and then at the interview, they think there is an adjective competition.
Congressman- Why attend?
Student- Because I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to go!
Congressman- Well that is just GREAT, because I've had12 who "Always" wanted it, 9 who "really" want to go, 4 who "really, REALLY" want it, but you are the only one who seems to "REALLY REALLY REALLY" want it, so congratulations!
I'm only joking in the most painful way. This happens- with various adjectives- EVERY YEAR! The reason is... because they WANT it? That is all they've got. Go back to the job interview idea. Would you hire anybody with that response?
What will you do if you are not accepted?
I'm going to work at my father's business (or some non-Service related future).
There was an article about Med school student interviews, and it is killing me that I can't find it now, that showed the same sort of lack of committment in Medical School applicants as we see at the Service Academies. A surprising number of applicants reported that they would pursue non-medical carreers if they couldn't become a Doctor Right NOW! Does that make sense? If you couldn't get into med school, and your goal was to become a doctor, what could you do? Take some classes to help when you re-apply next year? Work as a Paramedic or EMT? Research your weakness? Apply to more schools next year? Do those sound like ideas to help? OK, now compare the answer, "Take a job at my father's business". How does that impress you? It is the same standard at the Nomination interview. Think about this one!
Hope this helps! Good luck! |
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USCGA Nomination update The United States Coast Guard Academy has never required a Congressional Nomination as part of the Application process. That process is about to change, and there are many that are not too happy.
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Read HERE |
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Service Academy Nominations Part 2 A quick note about Nominations PART II
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The requirements, dates, and standards demanded by different Members of Congress can be completely, well, DIFFERENT, and they usually are.
Some require all your information sent as one package, others want the information submitted as you receive it.
Some require a photo. Others do not. Although this does not seem to be remarkable or even interesting information, perhaps the following is more in line for helping you in the process.
EVERY YEAR QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ARE ELIMINATED EARLY IN THE PROCESS DUE TO INCOMPLETE SUBMISSIONS.
That is correct. Senator "A" requests one letter of recommendation, and Congressman "B" requires two letters. If you confuse the two packages, you over deliver for the Senator but incomplete for the Congressman. You just eliminated the possibility of the second nomination. Confuse something different and you might eliminate both!
Attention to detail in the Nomination process will allow you to maximize you chances of getting a nomination. Knowing some of the common pitfalls can also be of great use to the Service Academy Applicant.
Good Luck! |
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Service Academy Nominations Part1 A Nomination is a vital part of gaining an Appointment to a United States Service Academy. PART I
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At the moment of this writing the US Coast Guard Academy does not require a Nomination but there is legislation written and pending in Congress to change that rule.
As with all things in life, there are things you CAN control and things you CANNOT control. What you CAN control in the Nomination process is REQUESTING a NOMINATION. You want to make a request from EVERY POSSIBLE Nominating source. A list can be found on this website under CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATIONS (look under USNA, USMA, USAFA, USMMA).
EVERY US CITIZEN can apply for 2 Senate, one Congressional, and 1 Vice Presidential nomination if applying to the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, and United States Air Force Academy. If you are applying to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, you lose the Vice Presidential option.
ONE important aspect is that the Candidate apply for EVERY possible Nomination. Many people do not apply for the Vice Presidential spot because it is such a tiny chance of success. BIG MISTAKE! There are OTHER nomination sources to which you CANNOT make a REQUEST. These are held for people who fit the requirements but do not have a Nomination. When looking at this large pool of Candidates, doesn't it make sense that the most interested person is the one who makes the greatest effort?
Unlike almost every other University and College, your efforts to obtain a Service Academy Appointment are considered along with your past Academic, Athletic, and Extra Curricular achievements.
Applying to every Nomination source increases your odds of earning an Appointment and increases your odds of gaining a Nomination from a source you do NOT control.
Good Luck! |
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