Question about Interview

whosays

5-Year Member
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Jan 28, 2014
Messages
17
So I am curious about the interview process with the BGO. What will they know about you? Will they know about your medical status and will they ask about it? I am preparing for my application for next year and wondering because I believe I maybe DQ and need a waiver.
 
I don't believe they know anything about your medical status. Some candidates will interview with their BGO before doing their medical. If he/she asks you can tell him/her what you know so far, especially if it's something that has a high chance of DQ and/or low chance of waiver.
 
Yeah I mean I don't really think they're supposed to be asking about your medical condition. Mine said he really doesn't even have that much of my (personal) info available to him. Don't worry, the BGO interview is a breeze.
 
The BGO's really aren't privy to much of your information which does tend to turn the interview into a shopping expedition. Since we do try to steer the candidates around some of the roadblocks it helps if the candidate will prepare a short resume of his/her accomplishments academically, athletically, and in church and community. It helps to know what math and science courses have been taken, AP courses, special awards for scholarship, sports, leadership, so on. It really is to the advantage of the candidate to compile this information as it makes it much easier for the BGO to prepare the interview report and minimizes the chance that something significant will be overlooked. Best wishes.
 
To add to 1964BGO, it is also helpful to talk about limitations. For example, if your school doesn't offer AP/IB/Honors courses, doesn't have sports teams, you have to work a job to support family, etc. Part of the BGO interview to explain your story that cannot simply be looked from the statistical side -- in other words, the Admissions Board might not know about a candidate's limitations -- this might be extremely helpful to them.
 
BGOs do have LIMITED info about your medical status. We know if you're qualified, rejected, or (some other category between the two). However, we have NO idea why you are rejected -- and "rejected" is not necessarily a permanent status. I THINK it means that you are DQ'ed, but could still obtain a waiver. We have NO information regarding the status of a waiver or whether it will be granted.

We are told not to inquire about a candidate's medical status/issues, both for privacy reasons and, quite honestly, because we have no expertise, knowledge, input, etc.

I do emphasize to candidates that they start the medical process as early as possible (which means getting 50% of your package complete) b/c there are always candidates who think they're perfectly healthy and something crops up. The earlier you start, the longer you have to deal with it successfully.

IF (and it's rare) a candidate volunteers medical information -- or it's obvious, such as when the candidate arrives on crutches -- and IF APPLICABLE, I will relay the general info USNA provides to BGOs about common medical issues, such as asthma. However, I also make clear that every candidate's medical situation is unique and they need to follow up with DODMERB and USNA Medical. I'm not the one to help them on this issue.

Bottom line: the BGO really shouldn't be discussing medical issues with you beyond the general subjects noted above.
 
Thanks again for you information. One more question: how much does BGO input help an applicant?
 
Thanks again for you information. One more question: how much does BGO input help an applicant?

If you read the BGO sticky above, your question will be answered in detail. The short answer is that it could help some but probably not a huge amount.

As a side note, the interview can "help" in providing insight for candidates who have special circumstances that may cause their written record not to be reflective of their achievements. For example, I had a candidate who had very few activities b/c he/she was largely raising 3 siblings. Another had been living out of a motel room for 9 months b/c his/her home had burned down.
 
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