The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

by **Guest** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 6:10 pm

guest wrote:To those of you who were interviewed.. Did they tell you that they will recommend you ??

I was interviewed, but they didn't tell me during the call that they had selected/recommended me. They invited me to tour their facilities via email a few weeks later and let me know that I was one of the applicants who they selected.

However, don't be discouraged if you haven't heard anything, as some people on here said that they were offered the scholarship without ever hearing from an SF.

by **guest** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 6:00 pm

To those of you who were interviewed.. Did they tell you that they will recommend you ??

by **Guest** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:50 pm

Hopeful wrote:
Guest wrote:
Hopeful wrote:1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
The Naval Oceanographic Office in MS

2. How did they first contact you?
Via email. They said they wanted to have a phone interview for a possible sponsorship with the SMART porgram.

3. What was the interview process like?
Odd. They ask me maybe two questions about my skills, weren't too concerned about my work ethic, and then spent a good amount of time just telling me about what the job would entail and what it's like to live there. It was basically 30 minutes of 3 people asking a few questions and then talking to me about what it's like to live there.

4. What is your major?
Marine Science

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Bachelor's

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I got the email on 3/3 and had the phone interview on 3/4. The job sounds amazing so I'm really excited, but the recipients forum on here has me very wary of this whole program now. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who gets the award, isn't lied to about the job and pay from the SF itself, and actually enjoys the job and the people.

Have you received a call from SMART asking for your preference? I had an interview with NAVO as well.
Nope I haven't gotten that call but I'm not too concerned. I didn't interview with another SF and due to the specific nature/application of my degree I feel like most SFs wouldn't want me anyway. So I doubt I got more than one recommendation to choose a preference from. How did your interview go?

It went well, they actually told me to apply for a job there if I don't get SMART. So maybe something will come of it. The only difference between you and me is that I'm going for a Master's.

by **Guest** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 12:35 pm

Guest wrote:
1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
Defense Intelligence Agency

2. How did they first contact you?
Phone call; left a message basically saying "Calling with regards to your app, here's my name and number, give me a call.

3. What was the interview process like?
To be honest, a little awkward! I thought they would have more questions.

It sounded like they basically call you if they have one or two questions they want answered, and then ask you those and are like "okay, good luck!"

4. What is your major?
Biology/Microbiology

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
2nd year PhD

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I put in my app a few other places as SFs, notably USAMRIID. But now these places are no longer on the list!

The forums have a few posts saying this happened a few years ago as well. And there aren't any people on the recipient forum that are at these SFs. It makes me wonder if they ever accept students! lol.

But happy to be in the top candidate pool, I wish everybody good luck!

Were you ever contacted by USAMRIID? I was contacted by them over a month ago about scheduling a longer interview and never heard back.

by **guest** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:53 pm

Guest wrote:
1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
Defense Intelligence Agency

2. How did they first contact you?
Phone call; left a message basically saying "Calling with regards to your app, here's my name and number, give me a call.

3. What was the interview process like?
To be honest, a little awkward! I thought they would have more questions.

It sounded like they basically call you if they have one or two questions they want answered, and then ask you those and are like "okay, good luck!"

4. What is your major?
Biology/Microbiology

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
2nd year PhD

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I put in my app a few other places as SFs, notably USAMRIID. But now these places are no longer on the list!

The forums have a few posts saying this happened a few years ago as well. And there aren't any people on the recipient forum that are at these SFs. It makes me wonder if they ever accept students! lol.

But happy to be in the top candidate pool, I wish everybody good luck!

Also a second year Biology/Microbiology PhD who had the exact same experience with the Defense Intelligence Agency. I was a bit surprised as well at how brief the interview was compared to some of the other facilities I've interviewed with.

by **Guest** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:49 pm

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?

Defense Intelligence Agency

2. How did they first contact you?

Phone call; left a message basically saying "Calling with regards to your app, here's my name and number, give me a call.

3. What was the interview process like?

To be honest, a little awkward! I thought they would have more questions.

It sounded like they basically call you if they have one or two questions they want answered, and then ask you those and are like "okay, good luck!"

4. What is your major?

Biology/Microbiology

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)

2nd year PhD

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?

I put in my app a few other places as SFs, notably USAMRIID. But now these places are no longer on the list!

The forums have a few posts saying this happened a few years ago as well. And there aren't any people on the recipient forum that are at these SFs. It makes me wonder if they ever accept students! lol.

But happy to be in the top candidate pool, I wish everybody good luck!

by **Hopeful** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:20 pm

Guest wrote:
Hopeful wrote:1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
The Naval Oceanographic Office in MS

2. How did they first contact you?
Via email. They said they wanted to have a phone interview for a possible sponsorship with the SMART porgram.

3. What was the interview process like?
Odd. They ask me maybe two questions about my skills, weren't too concerned about my work ethic, and then spent a good amount of time just telling me about what the job would entail and what it's like to live there. It was basically 30 minutes of 3 people asking a few questions and then talking to me about what it's like to live there.

4. What is your major?
Marine Science

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Bachelor's

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I got the email on 3/3 and had the phone interview on 3/4. The job sounds amazing so I'm really excited, but the recipients forum on here has me very wary of this whole program now. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who gets the award, isn't lied to about the job and pay from the SF itself, and actually enjoys the job and the people.

Have you received a call from SMART asking for your preference? I had an interview with NAVO as well.

Nope I haven't gotten that call but I'm not too concerned. I didn't interview with another SF and due to the specific nature/application of my degree I feel like most SFs wouldn't want me anyway. So I doubt I got more than one recommendation to choose a preference from. How did your interview go?

by **Guest** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 2:36 pm

Hopeful wrote:1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
The Naval Oceanographic Office in MS

2. How did they first contact you?
Via email. They said they wanted to have a phone interview for a possible sponsorship with the SMART porgram.

3. What was the interview process like?
Odd. They ask me maybe two questions about my skills, weren't too concerned about my work ethic, and then spent a good amount of time just telling me about what the job would entail and what it's like to live there. It was basically 30 minutes of 3 people asking a few questions and then talking to me about what it's like to live there.

4. What is your major?
Marine Science

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Bachelor's

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I got the email on 3/3 and had the phone interview on 3/4. The job sounds amazing so I'm really excited, but the recipients forum on here has me very wary of this whole program now. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who gets the award, isn't lied to about the job and pay from the SF itself, and actually enjoys the job and the people.

Have you received a call from SMART asking for your preference? I had an interview with NAVO as well.

by **guest** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 2:58 pm

I am a 3rd year Microbiology PhD. I got a call from a facility I had not interviewed with on 3/17 describing their work and asking if it would be something I would be interested in. There was no mention that I was definitely being recommended for funding by their agency, but I also thought sponsoring facilities would have already recommended candidates to SMART based on the timeline in previous years. I'm left wondering if this was a we recommended you, are you definitely interested call……..or a mini interview before final recommendations were made.

by **ps5811** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 7:10 pm

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
CERDEC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

2. How did they first contact you?
By phone on 3/18 and then they sent a follow-up email for me to confirm interest and if I had any questions regarding accepting the opportunity.

3. What was the interview process like?
Not much. They mentioned what they could about the organization I would be working for, discussed some of my background and then asked if I would be interested. Their concern was whether I was really interested or not primarily because I live on the West Coast and they are on the East Coast.

4. What is your major?
Information Technology

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)?
I am pursuing an MS in IT-Info Assurance. I currently hold an MA in National Security Studies (Middle East Security); BA in Arabic Language and a BA in Intelligence Studies. I also minored in Info Assurance during my 1st undergrad.

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I applied as a Retention Applicant. I have only received one phone call so far even though my current place of work is an SF but at the time of application, I wasn't employed with them so I don't know if I will get an offer from them at all. At the time of application, I was working for the Army but now I am working for the Air Force.

by **Anon-one** » Fri Mar 18, 2016 9:03 am

anon01101 wrote:Got a call today from SMART asking me which facility I preferred among the ones that interviewed me.

Anyone else got the same call ?

I got the same call on March 17th. He said he was from SMART and something about being over all the navy bases. He asked who contacted me and what my preferences were. He told me that normally they send notice about the scholarship on April 1st, but it may not happen until the following week since April 1st is a Friday. Also he said that everyone will be notified regardless, so if you don't get it they will tell you instead of having to wait to find out.

by **anon01101** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:22 am

Guest wrote:I've had that call from the liaisons of the individual branches of the Armed Forces (e.g. Air Force, Navy, etc.) but not from the SMART program itself.

OK. I did not get a call from any liaisons probably because all my interviews were from different facilities under the Navy. He said he doesn't know who interviewed me but said he wants to know my preferences if I did get a call from a facility outside of the 3 mentioned in my application (which I did).

by **Guest** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 10:36 am

I've had that call from the liaisons of the individual branches of the Armed Forces (e.g. Air Force, Navy, etc.) but not from the SMART program itself.

by **anon01101** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 12:20 am

Got a call today from SMART asking me which facility I preferred among the ones that interviewed me.

Anyone else got the same call ?

by **Hopeful** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:52 pm

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
The Naval Oceanographic Office in MS

2. How did they first contact you?
Via email. They said they wanted to have a phone interview for a possible sponsorship with the SMART porgram.

3. What was the interview process like?
Odd. They ask me maybe two questions about my skills, weren't too concerned about my work ethic, and then spent a good amount of time just telling me about what the job would entail and what it's like to live there. It was basically 30 minutes of 3 people asking a few questions and then talking to me about what it's like to live there.

4. What is your major?
Marine Science

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Bachelor's

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I got the email on 3/3 and had the phone interview on 3/4. The job sounds amazing so I'm really excited, but the recipients forum on here has me very wary of this whole program now. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who gets the award, isn't lied to about the job and pay from the SF itself, and actually enjoys the job and the people.

by **theccres** » Tue Mar 08, 2016 11:00 am

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
Missile Defense Agency: Integration & Operations Center

2. How did they first contact you?
They called me wanting to setup and interview time.

3. What was the interview process like?
It was a conference call with four other members. We all did general introductions then gave me an overview of the facility. Next we proceed into about 30 minutes of questions ranging from why I would want to work there to some technical questions.

4. What is your major?
Computer & Information Technology

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Bachelor's

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
All members in the call where friendly and where eager to answer my questions I had.

by **Anon011011** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 1:59 pm

kenzmurph wrote: Did you get the call yesterday? If so, that will keep those of us who have yet to hear back hopeful.

Yes. Just got another email today from SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic, SC. to schedule an interview. So they are not done with it yet.

Thanks

by **kenzmurph** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 12:22 pm

Anon011011 wrote:1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
NAVAIR (NAWCWD), Point Mugu, CA

2. How did they first contact you?
Direct phone interview

3. What was the interview process like?
The interviewer explained about the facility and the place. More of convincing to join their facility than assessing me

4. What is your major?
Electrical engineering

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
PhD

6. Is there any other info you would like to share
Though the interview call without prior notice took me by surprise, the whole thing was super relaxed.

Did you get the call yesterday? If so, that will keep those of us who have yet to hear back hopeful.

by **Anon011011** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:11 am

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
NAVAIR (NAWCWD), Point Mugu, CA

2. How did they first contact you?
Direct phone interview

3. What was the interview process like?
The interviewer explained about the facility and the place.

4. What is your major?
Electrical engineering

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
PhD

6. Is there any other info you would like to share
Though the interview call without prior notice took me by surprise, the whole thing was super relaxed.

by **plexabit** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:54 am

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
Software Quality, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey
2. How did they first contact you?
By email to set up a phone interview.
3. What was the interview process like?
I don't know yet. I'll just edit this post when it happens.
4. What is your major?
Computer Science.
5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Master's degree.
6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
Will update once the interview process finishes.

by **chinhoe1010** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:51 pm

AFRL Eglin Air Force Base

Phone call to set up in person interview

List of questions similar to essay. Couple other questions like favorite class, or class you struggled most in. Goals...

Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's/Master's

super relaxed process

by **Guest1231** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 2:44 pm

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?

- Air Force Technical Applications Center

2. How did they first contact you?

- Called me directly to set up a phone interview

3. What was the interview process like?

- It was pretty relaxed, they told me about what they did, asked me if it sounded like something I'd enjoy, asked if I would have any issues maintaining a top secret clearance and/or passing random drug tests.

4. What is your major?

Mechanical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)

Joint Bachelor/Master's

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?

I was surprised how relaxed the interview process was. They said it was their first year in the SMART program, so hopefully that means they have meaningful roles in mind for their candidates. They said it would likely be mid-to-late April before I hear back :/

They also mentioned that there's a $1000/wk stipend during the summer internships, but I thought that was no longer a benefit with SMART. Anyone know?

by **nicky250** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:12 pm

Have you been contacted by a SF for an interview? If so reply to the following questions.

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)?
Robins AFB facility - Georgia

2. How did they first contact you?
Email to let me know I will be receiving a phone interview sometime between 2/16 and 3/16

3. What was the interview process like?
Have not yet been called

4. What is your major?
Received B.S. in Statistics
Masters: Statistical Computing, Data Mining Track

5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D)
Masters

6. Is there any other info you would like to share?
I also received an email from a facility in Ohio saying they saw my resume and wanted me to apply for a summer internship that was completely separate from SMART. It seems you have equal chance being seen by any facility. None of the facilities that have contacted me were on my preference list.

by **guest** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 12:29 pm

I am not a previous government employee, and I had my interview yesterday.

1. Which Sponsoring Facility(s)? - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen MD
2. How did they first contact you? - Email
3. What was the interview process like? - Basically just asked me questions about my interests in CS, my goals, and some stuff from my application. Wasn't a technical interview, though other SF's may ask you CS questions
4. What is your major? - Computer Science and Political Science
5. What type of degree are you pursing (bachelor's, master's, PH. D) - Bachelors
6. Is there any other info you would like to share? - Interview was about 30 minutes long, and there were about 5 people asking questions.

by **Guest** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 12:50 am

I got contacted by phone yesterday to set up an official interview like the previous poster mentioned could happen. Given that, it seems like some of the sponsoring facilities at least are starting to look through the candidates.

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