[Kristina]

When our team first became a class (with limited spots) we started using applications. The first year 160 people applied and our teacher/advisor reviewed them all. This year, he put the team captain and I in charge of the proccess. We reviewed all of the applications, took 1/2 of the team based on stellar responses and known skills and then interviwed the last half to choose the remaining spots.

I don't have a copy of the exact application, but this is what it asked:
Name, Grade, GPA, Current Science & Math Class
Please Rate which field you would like to be in: Design & Construction, Animation, Programming, Management
Why do you want to be on the robotics team?
What skills or experience do you have in the field you have selected 1st choice?
How have you exemplified team work?
What one characteristic would make you an asset to our team?

I know that these are pretty standard questions but they weed out people too lazy to fill out an application and gives us a background on people who don't know. It gave Jeff and I jumping off points for questions for the interview which was very helpful so we could have a more personal interview rather than the generic questions that can't really let us see the actual applicant. Then at the interviews we asked them questions more specific to the field they want to be in. Design and construction asked them what ideas they had for building an extendor, programming set up a programming question, I asked for management what ideas for fundraising and streamlining efficiancy they had, and I don't remember what animation was. The more ideas people shoot out (no matter how silly) the better because we like people who aren't afraid to brainstorm and speak their minds.

I think I could go on forever but if anyone has more questions about our process I would be happy to answer them.