<p>i applied for nomination and i heard that theres going to be an interview for those who meets the min. requirement. i live in the area where maritime or USMMA aren't popular. There was only one person U.S merhchant Marine Academy as his first choice in my district and i think there's going to be none this year. i meet the requirement b/c i have over 1200 on SAT (over 600s on both section) and GPA is 3.0. Here's my question, if i applied for USMMA as my first choice and no one is choosing USMMA as their first choice even though i kind of messed up in interview do i still get the nomination?</p>
<p>Depends on the congressman (or his board or whatever they have). You either get the nomination, or you don't. He's certainly not obligated to give it to you JUST because you meet the minimums, but your chances are good if no one else went for it.</p>
<p>Did you mess up on the interview or are you theoretically speaking about messing up on your upcoming interview?</p>
<p>If you did mess up, what was the exact nature of the mess up? Something you said that was anti-American? Or did your tie clash with your shirt? </p>
<p>Somethings are certainly forgivable, some things certainly are not.</p>
<p>Somewhat of a loaded & confusing question there tlswogh89. I'm with everyone else here & had to read your post five times & still not sure I'm understanding. Looking back at your previous posts, you must be a Senior this year? I think most kids get a little freaked out by these interviews. Maybe do a search on this forum to see what types of questions youll be asked so you can build up your confidence of the unknown. I know its been discussed many times in the past & it seemed helpful. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>If USMMA is the only academy you are applying to, this would be my suggestion: Apply for your nomination to both your senators and your congressman. You will then have three opportunities for interviews. If you are applying to the Naval Academy, my son interviewed with his "Blue and Gold Officer". This gentleman was a Naval Officer in the Reserves, who's job it was to interview him and determine if he "had what it takes". We did not have that kind of person through USMMA, but with four interviews you should do ok. </p>
<p>Remember, think about questions that you may be asked, i.e. "Why do you want to go to the Academy?" The answer is NOT: "Because the tuition is free". Give some thought as to why this is your school and career choice. Be thoughtful, clear, do not say "you know" a hundred times. Show the interviewer you are sincere and committed. Why is this important to you? Is it because you want to serve your country, help others, make a difference? Once you think about those issues, the interview will take care of itself. Obviously, this is something important to you. Now it's time to figure out why and put THAT into words.</p>
<p>I advise making a visit out here to see the campus. Do an overnight visit and an interview. If you do wind up getting your nomination a school visit helps getting an appointment, or so I have been told. I had similar scores and come from AZ, so it sounds like we are similar in that regards.</p>
<p>I asked my husband and son who both graduated from USMMA. The advice is to be positive and excited about going to the USMMA at your interview. Also, have reasons why you want to go to KP.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you dress neatly, hair cut, etc. (you know all the things Moms always say), but it will make a good impression.</p>
<p>I agree that coming to the academy, getting a tour, and an interview is very good also. The suggestion of getting both senator and congressman etc. on the nomination, gives you a better chance. If one doesn't nominate you, the other probably will. My son didn't get one nomination but got the other one.</p>
<p>Finally, just relax. Talk about what you know. You will feel more comfortable that way, and may know more about the topic than your interviewer. I remember my son being scared to death. I told him to talk about what he knew, IF it fit into one of the questions. My son was able to tell about wilderness canoe trips which our family takes for vacations. The person interviewing him got so fascinated, talking about where to go, what equipment to take. The whole time ended up my son giving him advice for his next trip. My son passed his interview, and I think it was partly because the interviewer found him an interesting person. I am quite sure that you are an interesting person too.</p>
<p>With not a lot of competition in your district, you have a much greater chance to get in. You'll do fine, I'm sure. See you next year at KP!!!!!</p>
<p>Can someone give specific questions asked in the interview.</p>
<p>I remember two things my son shared with me. </p>
<p>One he was asked to justify how he could possibly consider "sailing" an athletic endeavour over someone whos athletic resume included traditional sports such as football. I don't think it was that they didn't consider it athletic, they wanted to see how he responded. </p>
<p>They also asked him to justify why they should select him as a candidate over some one who academically excelled given his "mediocre grades". </p>
<p>They want to see that you have been involved in volunteer endeavours and will ask you about them. </p>
<p>He went in with a powerpoint presentation listing all of his goals as well as his activities in both sailing and in NJROTC. I seriously thought the presentation was a little much, but he said that he got very positive feedback from the comittee on it. He went in Khakis, oxford shirt, tie and blue blazer. We did not go in with him and he drove himself. Keep your Mom and Dad out of the picture.</p>
<p>One of the distinct impressions he got is that they wanted it clear that Mom and Dad were not the motivational force behind his goals as well as his single mindedness and determination to acheive them.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>In our district, the congressman wanted to meet the parents also. The students interviewed with the committee and then the parents were called in. They did want to know that the parents were not pushing the student, but that the student was wanting to go. I think that we all learned some things at the interview and I am glad that the parents were part of it in a small way.</p>
<p>What state are you from 2010bandcomom? </p>
<p>Isn't it interesting how things would be different? </p>
<p>But interesting that the same message needed to be conveyed, that it was the student not the parents. </p>
<p>Could you imagine if your parents coerced you to go to USMMA and somehow you made it despite your own misgivings as a student?</p>
<p>KP10sMOM--</p>
<p>Don't be surprized! There are at least two plebes there now, that I am told, their folks wanted them to go, they made it, and they are miserable. So go figure... That Congressman seems to have the right idea, but non the less interesting approach...</p>
<p>KP10sMOM, I live north of Dallas and our congressman is Ralph Hall. He has run his nomination committee with the parents as a part of it for a very long time. I don't even know how the other congressmen in this area have theirs. I do believe that it is important that the students are the ones that pursue this path.
We helped our son only when he could not do things for himself. We told him that the path for this was long and hard and that he had to make sure that he wanted it. I took him to the medical exams and got his medical records and called DODMRB for him since he was in school, but the forms for the rest and getting them in on time was for him to do.</p>