<p>I posted under another thread and got an answer saying that senators and representatives are not always informed of applicants receiving an LOA. Do you recommend calling thier office or bringing the letter to the interview? thank you guys for all your help</p>
<p>Absolutely. They need to know that you have the LOA. It means that if they nominate you, it will not count against their slate. As a matter of fact you may want to contact the aide at each MOC's office to let them know that you have received an LOA.</p>
<p>thank you for your help. I'll contact them sometime this week.</p>
<p>When I got to my senator's interview, the comittee (7 people in all) each had a copy of my loa and some even had it highlighted. I went in thinking that if I was arrogant, then they may not give me a nomination. It is very rare, but I have heard people with loa's not getting nominations cause of stuff like this. Anyway, so they asked me questions and stuff so I was sure to say "IF I get into USMA", or "I would be honored to go to USMA". However, it worked against me greatly. </p>
<p>A member of the committee put my loa in front of me and told me to read what she had highlighted. She told me that USMA had already accepted me. I was about to say that it was not "guarenteed" when she began to question my interest in usma. She was under the impression that I had not even read the letter...which she thought was an acceptance letter. To make a long story short..my inteview was more like a lecture...about this loa stuff. They told me that it would be impossible for them not to nominate me with this letter. They also said that getting a principle nomination was out of the question. They explained that they would nominate me as a "Qualfied alternate", as thats all i needed with the loa.</p>
<p>Anyway..it worked out and everything. However, I was wondering a few things. First, did I really need to go for the interview? Second, should I go to the interviews of my other MOC's? I think it may be already redundant since I already have a nom and have been told by a senator I am in.</p>
<p>I would go to the other interviews. It is a sign of good will and can only strengthen your application etc. </p>
<p>If anything, you should go for the experience.</p>
<p>You should have gone--I went to my meeting with an LOA, and they were very, very impressed. Don't let what that one panel said keep you from going to the other ones. That would be a BAD mistake.</p>
<p>"They told me that it would be impossible for them not to nominate me with this letter."</p>
<p>The person that told you that was wrong. Go to the interviews.</p>
<p>yea i thought they were wrong too but the person that told me this was on the nominating committee.</p>
<p>hey,</p>
<p>I just sent my LOA with my application, and only briefly mentioned it at one of the two interviews I participated. It is better that they see it prior to the interview so they know your candicacy is serious. Also, some Senators are really keen on who they invite to an interview. The LOA definetly helps. (I thought it was arrogant to send an LOA, but my MALO assured me it was fine.)</p>
<p>The interviews were tough...
one lady really had it out for, it seemed. She kept asking way I wanted to go to WP, I said to lead, and gave examples. She actually said my answers were "not good enough". It was a little embarassing for me in front of the rest of the board. I guess I was caught off guard. She may have seen the LOA, and wanted to make sure I didn't take the interview for granted. It seems it may have worked out against me in a way. But, it looks as though I will not have to go to an interview for my local rep, as I am the only one in my dist. with an loa, according to my MALO... just had to fill out the appl. & send in the letters of rec. It should all work out.</p>
<p>what a jerk.</p>
<p>jr Bunz -- if I were you, I'd go to the interview with the local rep. MALOs can be wrong and why risk anything at this point. It can't hurt. I'm sure you will get in but I would never want to do anyting that could be interpreted as lack of interest. Just my opinion and best of luck!</p>
<p>Jr Bunz:
How do you know you are the only one with an LOA? There may be others that your MALO is not familiar with (ie college students, those in JROTC and perhaps working with a different MALO) If you do not go, you show a lack of interest, and give good reason not to nominate you. Do not take the chance.
CM</p>
<p>My MALO didn't tell me I didn't have to go, the congressional staffer at the office said that.</p>
<p>-Mr. Greeniemeenie, I am not arrogant...all the time. But you seem to be jealous or down right nasty.</p>
<p>jrbunz... ah... i may be wrong, but i think mrgreenapple was talking about the person at the interview... how she said you answers were not good enough. Because when i read what you wrote, thats exactly what i was thinking "Wow...that lady is a real jerk!" For ANY interview, the interviewer should just write down what they feel and ask questions - thats what htey are there for. That can be out right emabaressing and really mess with you! I would, after nominations are out, write to your source of nomination and express your discontent with that!</p>
<p>Fellows name-calling and this kind of rhetoric are not helpful. Let's try to get along. All you kids are working hard...there is no one right way to approach these issues. Let's work together and hopefully we'll all reach our goals.</p>
<p>Ha, I don't know what other people are experiencing, but my interview was OK... The MOC field officer, when he arranged the interview, told me that they might ask history questions. I figured I would either know it or not know it, and I didn't want to act all fake and study up real quick - that seems 1. too much work for two little return 2. dishonest somehow, I'm not sure why, but it just niggles my conscience.</p>
<p>WELL let me tell you, they DID ask a military history question! "Who would you say is the greatest Missouri military person in history?" umm, excuse me? How does that help me be a better officer? I was trying to think of a polite reply along the lines of "I don't know one, and why is that relevent?" when I suddenly remembered my brother doing a report on Omar Bradley in fourth grade and making us drive an hour north to visit Bradley's hometown (my brother is now 20, so this was a good...12 years ago or so!). I mentioned him, saying that since he was born in Clark Missouri and was a 5-star general, I guessed he was good answer. The questioner raised his eyebrows and said, "I'd say he's a good choice, since he commanded the largest ground force in history during WWII!!"</p>
<p>Just my personal anecdote from my quick interview!! For future reference, my family also thought of Black-Jack Pershing, if that ever helps anyone :-D</p>
<p>Question about nominations:</p>
<p>I received nominations for USNA and USMA from my senators. I am invited for an interview with my congressman (4 hours away). Should I go since I already have nominations for both of the service academies that I have applied to, or can I get another nomination (or is that unnecessary)? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>i think snipper and i are on the same wave-lengths ;)</p>
<p>dictoranna - </p>
<p>Unless you received the primary nomination from one of those senators, or have an LOA in hand, you should definitely go to your rep's interview. The pool competition is much lower for the rep than for the senators - you're more likely to be the top candidate and thus receive an appointment.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of the candidates for their feedback on the interviews.
jrbunz - I'm not sure that I would write to a senator to express my dissatisfaction with an interviewer as snipper advised. Their job is to make sure that you are worthy of nomination in a competitive process. I think the interviewer was pressing for more details that she felt she was not getting, and seeing how you handle yourself under pressure. Learn from the experience and move on. The WP Candidate Book by Smallwood has a good section on how to and how not to deal with the question "why do you want to go to WP". Congratulations on your nomination.</p>