<p>Can any of you cadets give me any advice on what I should do for my nominations, like meeting my represenative or conducting an interview or whatever?</p>
<p>I'm not a cadet but I can give you a brief description of my son's experience.</p>
<p>We contacted our Representatives and Senators about an interview and were told that interviews would be performed on a specified date and time, and that they would contact us with that information once it had been settled. In my son's case I believe it was sometime in December.</p>
<p>The first and only interview was at his Representative's local office and was conducted by a panel of a half-dozen or so West Point graduates. They asked questions for about forty-five minutes, he answered, and at the conclusion of interview they thanked him for coming. That was it.</p>
<p>Several weeks later he was told by his Representative's staff that he had been nominated. He never met with or spoke with his Representative; in this case the WP graduates made the recommendations and the Representative honored them. All in all I'd say it was a very good system.</p>
<p>He was offered an interview with his Senators but when they were told he had already received a nomination from a Representative they recommended he decline to interview with his Senator so that another perspective Cadet might have a chance. In the case of my son he had received an LOA and so a second nomination would have been superfluous. If you dont have an LOA its probably to your advantage to get as many nominations as you can.</p>
<p>As for advice, call your Senators and Representatives offices and see how they conduct their interviews. Chances are it will be something similar to how it was from my son.</p>
<p>When the appointed time comes, get good nights sleep the night before and be sharp for the interview. Dress well, but that could be as simple as a nice button down shirt, tie, and pressed slacks. A fresh haircut couldnt hurt and remember to always be polite. </p>
<p>For more specifics hopefully some of the cadets will chime in soon. If it takes some time to get a response from the cadets remember that most all of them are in some kind of summer field training, and that it might be many weeks before theyre back. Best of luck and keep on top of things.</p>
<p>Do you know what kind of questions they asked during the interview?</p>
<p>i think why is a big question there</p>
<p>Most of the advice my D got two years ago was to garner nominations from as many sources as possible. I can't honestly remember the reasoning for it and its seems counter-intuitive but when she got her first nomination to WP she was told by both admissions and her MALO to follow through with the other two interviews. She had an LOA from both Navy and WP and ended up with two noms to WP and one to Navy. The second WP nom came even though the senator knew she already had one from her Rep.</p>
<p>I suspect the nomination juggling process is a little more intense in CA. Our state is also pretty competitive, and there's a lot of behind-the-scenes nomination shuffling to maximize the appointments.</p>
<p>Shogun,</p>
<p>That's such an amazing accomplishment for any nominee. But considering you're from California, it says so much about your daughter's strength as a candidate.</p>
<p>Yeah well, her room still looks like a tornado went through it when she makes it home on leave. And the sunflower seed shells......don't get me started......................</p>
<p>Kate,
How's the process going for your daughter? I know you've been doing "intelligence work" on these boards for a bit now, she must be loaded and ready! Was she able to attend the SLS this summer?</p>
<p>shogun,</p>
<p>Funny how they forget how to make a bed...And don't they learn how to do something with laundry? Like pick it up? And with all those marathons she's running, I'll bet she needs an awful lot of sunflower seeds.</p>
<p>Kate,</p>
<p>I'm waiting to hear that your daughter receives her appointment in the very first batch to go out. Hooah!</p>
<p>MOT, at home she is an absolute P.I.G. She'sll help out with cooking, and laundry, etc but when it comes to HER room, she knows no master.</p>
<p>Seems to fit the profile. I know another girl just like that.</p>
<p>Shogun and MOT: I will admit, I was like that too (well, not to the extent that New Cadet Brother was), but after 4 years of USMA and good lessons while growing up (as unheeded as they may have seemed at the time) and I can now run quite a clean house, and am buying my first one later this month. When I cleared my place at my last assignment and got my full deposit back, they asked if I had someone come clean it, my reply was "No, my Momma taught me skills!" It may take awhile for those seeds to grow, but they will, and I think USMA helps water those seeds a lot! :) Good luck to both you're gals!</p>
<p>Get a Candidates book for USMA hopefuls. This is avaialble from the USMA Bookstore or Amazon.com. This will be a good guide for potential candidates especially on the nomination questions.</p>
<p>Regarding multiple nominations, Texas was different, in that Senator Hutchison office contacted S to confirm that he had a nomination and then said that they would offer if he did not have a nomination, but would not since he already had the congressional nomination</p>
<p>My nomination interviews were also in December. I met with my Senator's chief aide for an interview, alone. I remember being the only one in the waiting room without a snazzy JROTC uniform and a lot of ribbons :) Oh well, my little black dress, heels, and pearls went over well, I ended up being the senior nominee from the senior senator. </p>
<p>The interview was a piece of cake. We talked about my activities in high school, my life in Kuwait, my plans for the future, and where I saw the Army in the next 20 years. Eerily enough, I've seen a few of those predictions come true. (Smaller, lighter, more modular, and more involved in foreign conflicts.) </p>
<p>Read a few of those "What to do in an interview" lists, be familiar with your own resume. If you're asked about a particular activity, be able to contribute specifics. "I'm the president of the film club, as such, I select the movies we watch, and with the help of our advisor, research themes to discuss. I've been involved for two years now...blah blah blah." Be relaxed. If you can't talk to people, or don't like public speaking, practice. Strike up conversations in the mall. Raise your hand in class. Take a course at the community college. Do theatre. Join your school's forensics team, especially impromptu. </p>
<p>Don't forget the thank you note, afterwards!</p>