Best time to contact SA mentors

C

cyclist2028

USAFA Hopeful Class of '28
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
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Hello! I am a rising Junior who is going to start the application process to the service academies next year for the class of 2028.
I am aware that each academy has their own liaison officers that assist local applicants throughout the process. If I am applying to multiple academies with a preference to a certain SA, would I need to reach out to an ALO, Blue and Gold officer, and Field Force representative? Or do I just need 1 for the academy of my top choice. With that being said, is it best to start reaching out to these mentors right now, or should I wait? Thank you in advance and have a great day!
 
usafacyclist2028 said:
Hello! I am a rising Junior who is going to start the application process to the service academies next year for the class of 2028.
I am aware that each academy has their own liaison officers that assist local applicants throughout the process. If I am applying to multiple academies with a preference to a certain SA, would I need to reach out to an ALO, Blue and Gold officer, and Field Force representative? Or do I just need 1 for the academy of my top choice. With that being said, is it best to start reaching out to these mentors right now, or should I wait? Thank you in advance and have a great day!
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You will follow the procedures for each service academy. It would not be a good look to blow off your assigned USNA BGO, if USNA is not your top pick, and then realize you have a required interview with them.

There are many schools of thought about when to contact. A brief introductory email is always appropriate. The cycle has just kicked off again for 2027. Keep in mind these people are volunteers, and may or may not respond until later in your actual cycle for 2028.

No shortcuts, you have to put the work in for each SA process. Your time now should be invested in reading every page, link and menu dropdown on your SA websites. Most answers are there. Get yourself organized for all the action items and due dates that will occur next year for you. If your elected officials have a service academy info session F2F or virtual, attend. It won’t matter if you are a year early. You will learn things.
 
Capt MJ said:
You will follow the procedures for each service academy. It would not be a good look to blow off your assigned USNA BGO, if USNA is not your top pick, and then realize you have a required interview with them.
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Thank you for your response! But does that mean I should be contacting all 3 SA mentors even though USNA may be my top pick? How does that work?
 
usafacyclist2028 said:
Hello! I am a rising Junior who is going to start the application process to the service academies next year for the class of 2028.
I am aware that each academy has their own liaison officers that assist local applicants throughout the process. If I am applying to multiple academies with a preference to a certain SA, would I need to reach out to an ALO, Blue and Gold officer, and Field Force representative? Or do I just need 1 for the academy of my top choice. With that being said, is it best to start reaching out to these mentors right now, or should I wait? Thank you in advance and have a great day!
Click to expand...
You need one for each respective SA. I recommend reaching out to your Navy Blue & Gold Officer now. Just send an introductory e mail. Typically Admissions assigns a BGO to each High School. If you or your Guidance Counselor does not know who your BGO is...then contact your USNA Area Coordinator (names and contact information on USNA.edu) who can connect you with your BGO. Research all the SA's even though you may have a first choice (common), you may not get it.
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
You need one for each respective SA. I recommend reaching out to your Navy Blue & Gold Officer now. Just send an introductory e mail. Typically Admissions assigns a BGO to each High School. If you or your Guidance Counselor does not know who your BGO is...then contact your USNA Area Coordinator (names and contact information on USNA.edu) who can connect you with your BGO. Research all the SA's even though you may have a first choice (common), you may not get it.
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Thank you for the clarification! I will do that.
 
Time for you to do the legwork at primary sources.

The short answer is yes, you will work with appropriate representatives from each service academy you apply to. They will not be surprised if you are applying to more than one. Minds often change as to preferred school as well, after more information, visits and exposure. You keep your own counsel as to your preferred school. Go through it all, and if you have the luxury of a choice a long time from now, you make it then.

Keep in mind “the 3 SAs” are actually 5. Don’t rule out USCGA and USMMA until you’ve researched them.
 
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Capt MJ said:
Time for you to do the legwork at primary sources.

The short answer is yes, you will work with appropriate representatives from each service academy you apply to. They will not be surprised if you are applying to more than one. Minds often change as to preferred school as well, after more information, visits and exposure. You keep your own coy self as to your preferred school. Go through it all, and if you have the luxury of a choice a long time from now, you make it then.
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Thank you very much and I will start doing my research.
 
Capt MJ said:
Time for you to do the legwork at primary sources.

The short answer is yes, you will work with appropriate representatives from each service academy you apply to. They will not be surprised if you are applying to more than one. Minds often change as to preferred school as well, after more information, visits and exposure. You keep your own coy self as to your preferred school. Go through it all, and if you have the luxury of a choice a long time from now, you make it then.
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In fact, most BGOs, ALOs etc. will be very happy to see you apply to more than one SA. For the 2026 Cycle, I had one outstanding (Top 5%) candidate who, from the very beginning, told me that his first choice was USMA (Army). I told him that's fine but he would also make a great Navy Officer. He was appointed to both and chose Army. Even though I root for Navy (at the football game), I was proud to see him follow his older brother and attend USMA - he's there now as a Plebe. Were all on the same team. Good luck.
 
Part of the USNA application process involves being interviewed by your assigned BGO, even if you are applying to other SA's. Each SA admission process is separate (other then for DODMERB). Perhaps my definition of a 'mentor' is different from the OP's, but it isn't the role of the typical BGO to guide you through the application process and/or do things to help you get an appointment. Some candidates may only see their BGO for that one interview and have very little contact beyond that. Others may interact more frequently. BGO's often have full-time jobs that take up a lot of their time in addition to performing the local voluntary BGO role.

You can find many older threads on here that talk about the role of the BGO.
 
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