<p>I understand it is difficult to get a nomination, especially since I'm in Virginia. What exactly do the MoC's look at when they are giving Nominations? How do they decide who is "nominatable" and who isn't?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Boggs</p>
<p>They will likely look at the entire pool of candidates in order to compare and contrast. They will look at much of the same information that the academies determine to be important. GPA, ACT and SAT scores, class rank, leadership, athletics, EC's. And very important: they will look at how you handle yourself during the interview. Dress properly, prepare, then prepare some more. You have to be able to articulate your ideas clearly.</p>
<p>How would you recomend to "Prepare" for the interview? What type of questions do you think they would ask?</p>
<p>Take a look at the book recommendations from Cougar's post earlier today in the USMA threads. You should be able to get them from your library. Or you can order them from the Academy bookstores. </p>
<p>Be able to verbalize your answers. Have somebody role play with you, asking you the questions and make sure you are open and receptive to constructive criticism. I am definitely not suggesting you rehearse answers that you think the interviewer will want to hear. However, if you practice answering the questions that are already published in these books, you will be more comfortable with the process. Use your own words and speak from your own heart. Preparation will help you to stay focused and will insure that you answer questions clearly and succinctly.</p>
<p>Also take a look at the archives of these boards and see what some of the discussions last year had to say about the interviews.</p>
<p>Thank you that was extremely helpful. I shall do all of that.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Vinicas, I think you're already part of the way towards a good interview by being a Karate instructor. It's not always a natural thing for people to be able to talk and articulate well.</p>
<p>I tell my daughter to take every chance to practice talking to adults that she respects and think of it as practice for interviewing. The more comfortable you are talking to someone older than you, with more experience than you, the better you'll interview. And don't feel silly practicing. Have someone go over the interview questions in William Smallwood's book with you and pretend it's the real interview. It will really help.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>What would the title be of said William Smallwood's book? There are several books from an author named William Smallwood.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Sorry about that, the book I'm referring too is called "The Naval Academy Candidate Handbook, How to Prepare, How to Get In, How to survive. Here's the site at Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929311051/qid=1126907424/sr=8-11/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i11_xgl14/104-1431754-4789507?v=glance&s=books&n=507846%5B/url%5D">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929311051/qid=1126907424/sr=8-11/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i11_xgl14/104-1431754-4789507?v=glance&s=books&n=507846</a>.</p>
<p>There is also a similar book by the same author for the Air Force Academy and West Point. </p>
<p>Also look at these earlier posts. <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=87798%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=87798</a></p>