Conducting Officer Interviews for NROTC Scholarship Candidates

1. ConductingOfficer Interviews for NROTC Scholarship Candidates LCDR Jeff JuergensCNRC Director Nuclear Programs/NROTC

2. Things to think about before you get to this page…

3. Recommenedbring: Paper copy of application Unofficial transcript ACT/SAT scores Letters of Recommendation Resume Recommenedattire? Coming straight from school? JROTC uniform? Prepping the CandidatesHow do YOU do it?

4. Ratings High Average Low

5. Describe the applicant’s participating in activities involving math, science and computers, Include in-school and out-of-school activities.) Describe the applicant’s general level of interest in math and science. STEM major or Liberal Arts? 85% of scholarships to tier 1 or 2 Remaining 15% Predominantly LREC (Language/Regional Expertise/Culture) Ability to pass college calculus and calculus based physics? IB? AP? Honors? (Only care about Math/Sci) 4 years math Alg, Geom, Trig, Pre-calc, Calc Special engineering classes? 4 years science Chemistry? Physics? >/= year of each? Nurses – biology? Awards & Merit? Governors school, elite award? Science Fair, Math Team? Tutors classmates? Computers HS classes? Programming experience? Changes hard drive, RAM, maintenance, etc Proficient with Microsoft Office software Other HS Grading scale (Fairfax 93 vs 90 for “A”) Participation 4 years from now, will this candidate have the university academic resume to be considered for Nuclear Power?

6. Describe any special circumstances the NROTC Selection Board should be aware of that influenced school performance or participation in Extra-curricular activities e.g, having long commute to and from school; needing to work to support self and/or family, working on family farm or business, needing to care for family member in poor health). Military Dependant of Active Duty or Retired from Active Duty? (not discharged) Military Reservist parents? Recalled? Deployed? Parents Divorced? Deployed? Disabled family member? Tragic occurrence (family death, injury illness, suicide) Illness Mononucleosis? Fractures, Changed school during high school Financial hardship Employment Babysits younger siblings so parents can work Low performing school district Home-schooled? Usually fewer activities than traditional student Noticeable change in grades Explain anomolies JROTC Usually precludes sports or other activities Special Circumstances 99% of the time, the student will not volunteer this information… …but it can be critical to selection because it may demonstrate CHARACTER. Make your own checklist and ask!

7. Describe physical activities the applicant is engaged in that are not included on the application form, such as strenuous work or home activities or non-organized recreational activities. Describe the bearing, personal appearance, and apparent physical fitness of the applicant, with particular emphasis on identifying potential for overweight condition Before you penalize a kid for the way they are dressed or how they acted in the interview…consider How much heads up did they have? Were they told how to dress? Not every kid already has “military bearing” If you don’t like their posture or respectfulness – let them know and give them a chance to correct during the interview Is this a bad day, or indicative of who this kid really is… Are they dressed in the only clothes they own/can afford. Physical Activity

8. Provide amplifying information regarding the ratings given on page three. Comment on the applicant’s suitability for an office accession program and provide your recommendation as to the selection for an NROTC scholarship . Tell the board something What ISN’T in the transcript? Treat like a FITREP You already have a good or bad reputation with selection boards! Spell check and grammar check your write up in MS Word and then cut & paste online. Grades require supporting comments. Use this to explain the ratings you gave…high or low! 5.0 with few words=bad 3.0 with great words=? Closing statement should leave no doubt to Selection Board whether or not we want this candidate…and why. Use truthful comparisons “..best of 12 candidates I’ve seen this year” Your first interview? Don’t be afraid to say that in your write up If we don’t want ‘em, SAY SO! Overall Evaluation/Comments Kids have $180,000 in tuition riding on this…and the Navy is competing for their talent!

9. Sample Write-up:Math & Science • Completing 4-year curriculum of math and science; including Honors Alg 1&2, Honors Geom, AP Pre-Calc, Chemistry, and Honors Physics. Has taken year of Computer Science and Computer Applications in H.S., to include computer graphics. • Awarded scholarship to attend summer seminar at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab for select students with exceptional math/science acumen. • Selected tier 3 major on application, but willing to commit to tier 2 major for scholarship. • Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and tutors school children in Chinese at community church.

10. Sample Write-up:Special Circumstances Mother is Bolivian, Step-Father is Moroccan (both are US Citizens). Birth parents divorced when he was a baby. Attended 3 different high schools in 4 years: Islamic Saudi Academy (9), South County HS (10, 11) and Albert Einstein (11). Saudi Academy did not have any extra-curricular programs or athletics, which precluded participation freshman year. Elected to leave private Saudi Academy for public H.S. after freshman year because he was only Hispanic in school and wanted exposure to greater diversity. Moved between junior and senior year. Candidate speaks Spanish, French ,and Arabic fluently and has traveled to both Morroco and Bolivia several times. (Application only allowed him to list Spanish). Was not aware of LREC program during interview, but was very interested after program was explained.

11. Sample Write-up:Special Circumstances Mother is Bolivian, Step-Father is Moroccan (both are US Citizens). Birth parents divorced when he was a baby. Attended 3 different high schools in 4 years: Islamic Saudi Academy (9), South County HS (10, 11) and Albert Einstein (11). Saudi Academy did not have any extra-curricular programs or athletics, which precluded participation freshman year. Elected to leave private Saudi Academy for public H.S. after freshman year because he was only Hispanic in school and wanted exposure to greater diversity.Moved between junior and senior year.Candidate speaks Spanish, French ,and Arabic fluently and has traveled to both Morroco and Bolivia several times. (Application only allowed him to list Spanish). Was not aware of LREC program during interview, but was very interested after program was explained.

12. Sample Write-up:Physical Activity 5-years of Shotokan Karate; holds black-belt and assists as instructor. Currently on varsity wrestling team, wrestled JV last year. Trains with wrestling team off-season year round. Runs 1-2 miles prior to each practice. Athletic appearance – within body standards and does not appear in any danger of over-weight condition. Participates and performs with hip-hop dance club. Respectful and polite during interview; neat appearance -showed up in suit and tie.

13. Sample Write-up: Physical Activity 5-years of Shotokan Karate;holds black-belt and assists as instructor. Currently on varsity wrestling team, wrestled JV last year.Trains with wrestling team off-season year round. Runs 1-2 miles prior to each practice. Athletic appearance – within body standards and does not appear in any danger of over-weight condition. Participates and performs with hip-hop dance club. Respectful and polite during interview; neat appearance -showed up in suit and tie.

14. Other concepts/comments…. • “Life Scout…working towards Eagle” • Special awards, schools, experiences • Specific examples of character/leadership • Tutoring, handicapped, underprivileged • Positions/responsibilities not listed elsewhere on application • JROTC/Sea Cadets/Civil Air Patrol Leadership more important than membership