<p>Just had it today. Went preety smoothly…my ALO was a lawyer so he was preety good at the questioning. It was sortof odd though that half the time was just writing answers to questions in a packet. Anyone else have a simular experiance?</p>
<p>Mine lasted three and a half hours...mind you it wasnt all interview it was my ALO telling me stories and things he did at the academy, it was actually really awsome! We didnt even realize that it started at 7:00 and it was already 10:30 when we finished up the last question. It went really really well based on the score i got so since im reapplying this year and have the same ALO hopefully i will score the same way.</p>
<p>Only difference was my ALO stressed that while he was writing for me to keep talking that he was still listening...but i agree, it was kinda odd to just be talking while he wrote.</p>
<p>Glad to hear yours went well!</p>
<p>I had mine two weeks ago and I think it was a little different because there were two of us and our parents in there at the same time.</p>
<p>It lasted about three hours of which the first hour and a half was a question and answer session with the parents and applicants. During that he talked alot about scholarship money for ROTC and expierences that he had in his job(Air Force Reserve Officer, D.E.A Agent) and what the academy would be like. Then he talked to the other applicant for like 30 minutes and then me for like 30 minutes and then another 30 minutes with my parents and me again(my mom is quite hesitant about all this). After that he showed us our scores. With my interview score and other information he said he felt pretty sure that I would get in.<em>I am crossing my fingers</em></p>
<p>He really didn't ask me all those "Why do you want to go to the academy and be an officer?" and "What are your strengths/weaknesses/ what do you have to offer to the Air Force?" kinda questions. I think he had his mind made up before hand because we had already had the Summer Seminar interview(2+ hours) and then numerous other phone calls and emails.</p>
<p>While we were there he never wrote anything down.</p>
<p>Actually what I meant by writing things down was he sat me down and gave me a packet of questions such as "why do you want to go to the air force academy" and me writing answers to those was the majority of the "interview".</p>
<p>Nope. Didn't do that either.</p>
<p>Wow, thats weird you did the writting...never had to do any of my writing.</p>
<p>My parents were in the room for the first 10 minutes then they left the two of us, but came back at the end for another 10 or so minutes.</p>
<p>What kind of Questions were asked during the interview? I havent had mine yet, have all of you you who have sent in everything else already?</p>
<p>Your ALO is looking for certain characteristics such as leadership traits, personal integrity, and self-confidence during the interview. Its important to be neat in appearance you dont have to wear a suit/tie but well-groomed should describe your appearance. Important: Eye to eye contact, proper grammar, and poise and confidence. Bring your resume of accomplishments, grades, class ranking etc. This saves time for the ALO.</p>
<p>The ALO is also looking for interpersonal skills how do you relate to others, are you concerned and respect others. How is your organization? That is a factor how you handle your daily schedule. Initiative? Have you ever organized any activities or events? Do you actively seek out opportunities to lead?</p>
<p>Last, are you (not your parents) truly motivated to go to the Academy? This will come across in an interview. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>As you've probably gotten the impression, ALO interviews vary quite a bit. Some are very systematic about the process, want to get answers to a pre-written set of questions, and don't deviate from that much. One reason for this is to standardize the interviews so everyone's being "graded" on an even playing field. Others are more conversational. </p>
<p>If your ALO happens to be a grad, they'll sometimes share Academy experiences with you and give you a chance to ask questions. If you ask questions, just be sure they are genuine and you're not trying to feign interest, as they will pick up on this. Besides going over common questions such as "why did you choose the Academy?" to come up with CONCISE answers, I wouldn't stress out too much about "preparing" for it. </p>
<p>The interviews do tend to include questions like this, but as it was already mentioned, they're also to pick up on the kind of person you are (socially, confidence level) and how you handle yourself. If you're throwing out canned and rehearsed answers to everything, that may not be the best scenario. To get an idea as to how you react in unfamiliar situations, don't be surprised if a question gets thrown in that catches you off guard, such as, "Explain a time when you failed at something important; how did you react to this?"</p>
<p>It may also help to be somewhat familiar with world events so if the ALO decides to bring a current event up, you are knowledgeable enough to make a few statements about it.</p>
<p>OK thanks, I'll try not to get TOO stressed about it.</p>
<p>Let me clarify, although I think you already picked up on it: Don't blow off the interview as a bad one will not look good when your packet is reviewed. However, once you have a firm grasp on your rationale for applying, etc. and are able to relay those answers concisely, just be yourself. ;)</p>
<p>I have my second one on the 19th with the same ALO as last year.</p>
<p>There were two questions that i found rather ammusing: Talk about a situation where you failed and how did you correct it. Then there was: talk about a situation where you failed. It was something like that and we both had to laugh at it.</p>
<p>Also dress formal as it is a formal event. I know you are graded on that. One thing that got you alot of points was if you had visited the academy but they removed that.</p>
<p>I dont know if this is good advice or bad advice. After each question, even simple ones, stop and think through your responce. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My ALO said that he would be notified by the Academy when all my stuff was in so that he could schedule and interview, does this mean all of you already have everything in and completed (as far as the candidate kits go)? I plan on sending everything out on Tuesday of next week (except for the PAE, which may be a little later than that)</p>
<p>It might be the ALO's preference to not do an interview unless you've completed your application, but it isn't necessary for the interview.</p>
<p>I have mine tomorrow. I'm excited, I talked to my ALO yesterday, he told me not to dress up, he doesn't really care about it, just about me. hehe. I'm meeting him at the Mall food court by a Burger King! I dress nice for school anyways, so I won't look nasty at least! </p>
<p>I've already met him before and I'm expecting a great interview! Wish me luck!</p>
<p>Hey Hornet Guy, what's a hornet doing on the Air Force Academy site? Hornets are Navy!! Maybe you should be Eagle or Falcon guy.</p>
<p>Just kidding, good luck with the ALO interview. Are you also looking Navy? I noticed you haven't posted on that board.</p>
<p>My daughter is NavyHornet, but I don't think she's posted here yet, just read the posts I've refered her to.</p>
<p>My dd's first meeting with her ALO is today. I don't think she's thinking about it much as she may get to do her first solo flight today... This isn't her formal interview, but just a chat session. The ALO is coming out to the ranch--dd had to clean her room. ;-)</p>
<p>heartcross,</p>
<p>I would consider any contact with an ALO who comes to your home to be an interview. It could have been called a "chat session" just to keep your daughter from getting nervous about an interview.</p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>
<p>I agree with momoftwins, the dd of heartcross shouldn't be too layed back. But first solo is Mega cool! If it works out for her the ALO won't be able to miss the enthusiasm caused by that event.</p>
<p>Good luck and congratulations to your daughter, soloing is something she'll always have and always remember.</p>
<p>The solo didn't happen--the clouds rolled in. But, the interview went very well. It was fairly laid back--lots of time for mom and dad to ask questions. He'll meet with just her the next time. He's really a nice guy--we had chatted on the phone several times before--he keeps calling on Wednesday nights when dd is at orchestra. He was gracious about me missing my grab of one of the dogs--of course he's all duded up in his uniform---oops--hair all over. He had some great tips for her MOC interviews. He didn't think homeschooling was a problem at all and had some ideas on how to cover the lack of team captain sorts of things. (even if she was in public school, our school doesn't have them) He saw her enthusiasm for her flight instruction and they chatted Cessnas for a bit. All in all, a good afternoon.</p>