BGO Academy Info NIght

ctkttww

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My DS, who is a junior, and I will be attending an information night put on by some of the local BGO's next week. We have attended twice before, but now the time is quickly approaching for him to start applying to NASS. Are there any specific questions he ask the BGO's? He has also had some contact with the baseball coach at Navy, so he's not sure if he should mention that or not.

And advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
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IMO this is a night for exchange of information. He should graciously mention anything he wants to, in good taste. And he should ask any question that's on his mind. It's not for us to tell the two of you what to ask... ask whatever questions you have. It sounds like you are already fairly knowledgeable so one would think they will be intelligient questions, but there are certainly no dumb questions.
 
My DS, who is a junior, and I will be attending an information night put on by some of the local BGO's next week. We have attended twice before, but now the time is quickly approaching for him to start applying to NASS. Are there any specific questions he ask the BGO's? He has also had some contact with the baseball coach at Navy, so he's not sure if he should mention that or not.

And advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

My only comment on this is that you should not view the BGO (Blue & Gold Officer) as a person of influence in getting your son a nomination or appointment. The BGO should be a source of information when you have any questions about the admissions process. Eventually, the BGO will have some input as far as your son's suitability for admission.

I wouldn't get too involved with the BGO - quite frankly. Use the BGO when you need them. Strive to not to need them. Do not view the BGO as your assistant in getting an appointment.

But, if you have questions, now is the time to ask them. Once you get embroiled in the application process - unless something unusual arises - you should seek to solve the problem without the help of the BGO, if at all possible.

The cliche, "There is no such thing as a stupid question" is not true. The type of questions people ask can oftentimes be very revealing. I help kids in the local area on occasion with regards to their interests in a service academy. I even help them once they get further along as an official candidate. The type of questions they ask me sometimes tells me, "This kid is not doing his homework. He's a bit clueless & lazy. That information is readily available. He should know it."

Read every word of the academy's admission catalog which is readily available online. It's surprising how few read it.
 
On a related note, if the event is next week, there's a pretty high chance that there will be current midshipmen in attendance. A handful of people are selected each year to take Thanksgiving leave a few days before everyone else in order to do admissions outreach programs. I'd bet money that the event has some relation to this.
 
pleber16 - You are right. We have attended this event twice in the past and have always gotten good information.
 
Regarding your question about the baseball coaches, I would not mention it. The BGO is there to assess how the prospective candidate would "fit in" with the rigors of the USNA. Our DS (2018) is a recruited athlete (baseball). We never talked about the baseball topic until our BGO brought it up. He knew of our DS and his baseball performance. Our DS kept his questions for the BGO focused on the his life as a future Naval Officer.
 
Regarding your question about the baseball coaches, I would not mention it. The BGO is there to assess how the prospective candidate would "fit in" with the rigors of the USNA. Our DS (2018) is a recruited athlete (baseball). We never talked about the baseball topic until our BGO brought it up. He knew of our DS and his baseball performance. Our DS kept his questions for the BGO focused on the his life as a future Naval Officer.

Thanks for the advice regarding the BGO's. So I am curious, and if you don't mind me asking, when did your DS start being actively recruited? My DS attended both the summer & fall baseball camps and it seemed as if they were interested. Just wondering about your expereiences with the recruiting process.
 
He got a call in November 2012 to attend a Junior weekend in January 2013. He went to the weekend visit and spoke to the coaches at that time. They had seen him play during the summer of 2012 at the Stanford University showcase.
He visited again during Spring Break and was told by the coaches they would come to see him perform an individual workout. He was accepted to attend the 3rd session of the NASS. They setup a showcase on June 10th in our home town and Coach Mau came to see him workout for about 2 hours. At the end of the NASS on June 20th, he was offered an opportunity to play baseball. He had already completed about 75% of his application process. On August 7th, he received an LOA to attend the USNA conditioned on his Medical and Nomination. He completed his Medical in early September. He should have his Nomination soon. Hope this helps.
 
He got a call in November 2012 to attend a Junior weekend in January 2013. He went to the weekend visit and spoke to the coaches at that time. They had seen him play during the summer of 2012 at the Stanford University showcase.
He visited again during Spring Break and was told by the coaches they would come to see him perform an individual workout. He was accepted to attend the 3rd session of the NASS. They setup a showcase on June 10th in our home town and Coach Mau came to see him workout for about 2 hours. At the end of the NASS on June 20th, he was offered an opportunity to play baseball. He had already completed about 75% of his application process. On August 7th, he received an LOA to attend the USNA conditioned on his Medical and Nomination. He completed his Medical in early September. He should have his Nomination soon. Hope this helps.



It really does. Thanks so much. What position does your son play?
 
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