What is a BGO role in NASS selection?

SA2017

5-Year Member
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Does anyone know if the Blue and Gold Officer has any say in if you make it into NASS or not?
 
Does anyone know if the Blue and Gold Officer has any say in if you make it into NASS or not?

As far as I know the answer is no. Unless you have reached out and contacted your local BGO I doubt they know you exist.
 
BGOs can make recommendations but these are ONLY recommendations; USNA has the final say.

As MIDNDAD stated above, most of these "recommendations" would occur because of pre-existing contact with the BGO (prior to JR HS year).
 
I have made contact with my BGO. I sent him an intro letter before the app opened and asked for tips on applying to nass. He wrote that he did not have any tips or suggestions to offer as to how to get accepted. He also wrote that I should check out the summer programs at the Air Force and WP and if I wasn't selected for NASS, I coujld try and arrange a visit to USNA next year. He also wrote let him know if I get in to NASS. So I wasnt even sure if he finds out before hand or afterwards, or gets asked for recommendations or just submits them on his own. His response was lukewarm at best-so maybe it does not look good.
 
USNA Admissions doesn't send a list of applying candidates. It's more like if a BGO knows one is applying and has known them for a bit of time, the BGO might "recommend" that candidate to the regional team.

While NASS is great and we have explained its purpose numerous times on this forum, it shouldn't be "the goal." If you are selected, great! If not, it shouldn't hinder your actual application.
 
Does anyone know if the Blue and Gold Officer has any say in if you make it into NASS or not?

Unfortunately for BGOs and for candidates, the answer is "no." Yes, BGOs can recommend candidates but, being honest, I've yet to see that the recommendation carries any weight whatsoever.

As has been stated many times, NASS does not necessarily select the "best" candidates. They first and foremost want geographic and school diversity in order to educate as many new people about USNA. That doesn't mean great people aren't selected . . . only that it's not a meritocracy.
 
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