BGO interview

I have had my whole application done for about three weeks now, including CFA, and I have not heard any word from my BGO. I would really like to be heard in the first admissions board meeting. Would that be at all possible if that is the only thing missing?

You should take initiative and email your BGO and ask what's up. In my three applications(class of 2017-19), this is the first year my BGO has been actively helping me with my application, but the others needed a little more coercion to help.

Hopeful_midshipman said:

You should take initiative and email your BGO and ask what's up. In my three applications(class of 2017-19), this is the first year my BGO has been actively helping me with my application, but the others needed a little more coercion to help.

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It's not the BGO's job to help you with your application. That's YOUR job.

The BGO is a resource to answer questions regarding the process and to conduct the BGO interview. Some BGOs are more experienced than others; if your BGO can't help you, consult your RD.

In terms of the OP, August is a frequent vacation month, a month when kids go off to college, there are lots of weddings, etc. Your BGO may be out of town or busy.

You didn't say whether you'd tried to contact your BGO. If your BGO hasn't contacted you, you should contact him/her -- email is a great start. I would wait until mid-week this week -- when most folks should be "back at work" -- and then try contacting him/her (again).

Hopeful_midshipman said:

You should take initiative and email your BGO and ask what's up. In my three applications(class of 2017-19), this is the first year my BGO has been actively helping me with my application, but the others needed a little more coercion to help.

Click to expand...

I have emailed him three times in the past month with no response, sorry for leaving that out.

Emailing the RD

Along these lines, I emailed my RD about a week ago, and she still hasn't gotten back to me. I had a different RD last year and he was much more prompt...how long do I need to wait for a reply?

I'm sorry you guys/gals have had issues with responses from your BGOs. I've been very fortunate with mine, he responds to my email in a half hour or less... It's crazy!

BGOs should reply promptly. However, remember it is the end of summer when many people are on vacation, etc. (see my post above). BGOs are volunteers and we have lives outside of the USNA admissions process.

Give it this week and see what happens. If you haven't heard by the middle or end of the week, try contacting your BGO again.

If you have 100% of your packet complete, the lack of BGO interview will generate a notice to the Area Coordinator (who coordinates BGOs) who should in turn contact the BGO encouraging him/her to get the interview done. That typically resolves the issue. If not, eventually, USNA will proceed without the BGO interview.

As for the RDs, they really don't get much time off during the candidate cycle so they may well have been on vacation this past week. I expect all will be back after Labor Day.

Thank you for your insight. So I will not been seen by the board if the interview is not in? I've heard it both ways and am just trying to get a definitive answer. Thanks

Let me try again . . .

If, right now, your BGO interview is not complete, the Board will not review your package.

If your package stands at 100% less the interview for a period of time -- at this stage I would say at least a few weeks, there will be outreach to the BGO and the AC to try to get the interview done.

At some point -- this early in the year it may be a longer timeframe than come December -- the Board will proceed without the interview.

Please note that it doesn't make all that much difference when your record is reviewed. USNA will know when YOU completed your packet so you get any "credit" for having things in early. Candidates typically aren't informed as to their Board status, so even when your record is reviewed nothing will really change from your standpoint. If you are hoping for an LOA, I've seen them given as late as January. And, finally, Board review isn't always a perfect FIFO (First In, First Out) so just because you're done now doesn't necessarily mean your record will be reviewed immediately.

In any event, Admissions won't let a completed packet (less BGO interview) sit forever. They strongly prefer to have a completed interview but, eventually, will proceed without it.

The bottom line is that at this very early point in the process, a few weeks isn't going to change anything. I understand your frustration but try to be patient. If the BGO remains unresponsive (which should NOT happen), you can try reaching out to your Area Coordinator directly.

Thank you very very much. You have been greatly helpful and I really appreciate it.