BGO interview- is there a way to know?

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ButterflyWaffles

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A couple weeks ago, I did my interview with my BGO. The interview went well and I still contact him with new awards or positions I've received. He said that I did well and that he would "recommend me", but I'm not exactly sure what he means by that. Is there a way to know what I scored (top 25% top 5%, average....)?
 
In short, no unless the BGO tells you. I never had someone ask and I never told anyone. The BGO interview is rarely a difference maker in you application. Mostly, it allows you a chance to learn about USNA from the BGO and to expound on things that may not be obvious from your paper application
 
There is no rule (that I'm aware of) preventing BGOs from telling what score they assessed a Candidate to be. I do not provide that information to candidates.
 
I never tell candidates how I grade them. My goal is to ensure they have a full understanding of USNA and as much as possible the fleet. I also try to fill in holes or expand on things that might not stand out in a candidate’s app.
 
Likewise, I have never told a candidate how I graded them.
 
Just got my BGO package. Will begin working through the handbook now. I appreciate the input from existing BGOs. Always valuable.
 
I"ve never been asked...never told. In fact, if asked at the end of the interview..I probably would tell them I really don't know ..yet. I try to do my write up while its fresh (I am bad at taking notes), but then let it sit for a day or so, then review and adjust after some reflection. Sometimes it goes up, sometimes down, but usually no major change.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
then let it sit for a day or so, then review and adjust after some reflection. Sometimes it goes up, sometimes down, but usually no major change.
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Yes, if they rate VERY high or VERY low it is generally easy to see but the vast majority required some reflection on my part.
 
Dragomir said:
Would it be wrong to ask the BGO for their score on you?
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I wouldn't say "Wrong", I would say "not a good idea". It may make some BGOs uncomfortable. And if they are doing it correctly...they really won't know exactly how your score will end up until they write it up, check their notes, edit it ... revise. BGOs know it's important that the interview and scoring is done professionally and per the training & process. Most will say "Sorry we don't give that information out". All BGOs I have met ... take the process quite seriously and try their best to be fair.
 
It would be appropriate to say, “thank you for your time, sir or ma’am.”

Let the rest go. The process isn’t for candidates to be a fly on the wall through every aspect of admissions.
 
Dragomir said:
Would it be wrong to ask the BGO for their score on you?
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It’s not an actual scored number. It’s an assessment/write up of several areas. You may do well in one area, not so well in another. Additionally, a BGO will not ‘get you in’. Their write up is part of your whole application. A BGO doesn’t decide if you are offered an appointment.

Honestly, I’m not even sure how I would respond if asked “what’s my score”. Bc I wouldn’t know. I would t know how you compare to other candidates. I would only have an idea against my own. And I probably wouldn’t even know how you compare to the rest of my candidates until they are all interviewed.

Control what you can. Practice, practice, practice!! There was a post a while back with really good information about interviewing. Cannot find it, maybe someone else can.
 
MidCakePa said:
Why ask? What purpose does that serve? What benefit will come from knowing?

Eyes in the boat! Focus on what you can control. The rest will take care of itself.
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I never planned on asking my BGO what their score on me was. I just found this thread to be interesting and it piqued my curiosity on whether or not it'd be a bad idea to ask that.

And when I say ask I don't mean right then and there during the interview but some time afterward when they would have their write-up finished. But it doesn't matter, I'm not going to ask my BGO that.
 
Dragomir said:
I never planned on asking my BGO what their score on me was. I just found this thread to be interesting and it piqued my curiosity on whether or not it'd be a bad idea to ask that.

And when I say ask I don't mean right then and there during the interview but some time afterward when they would have their write-up finished. But it doesn't matter, I'm not going to ask my BGO that.
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The thread is interesting. You and other posters are lucky to have such valuable insight from experienced parents, BGOs, alumnus, etc.

Leaving an interview it is normal to wonder how you did. The last interview I had was in May. I assessed the vibe and lightly said, “how did it go?”, I got smiles and a light “it went well”. It worked out for me. But not all situations will warrant that nor should they.

At this point in applicant’s lives it is better to execute the interview and thank the panel. The wisdom that comes with years of experience will happen one day. Just not yet.
 
It is EXTREMELY unlikely that a BGO will give a candidate a "bad" review. A "Top 5%" review may not help. I've had quite a few candidates whom I thought were spectacular receive TWEs. Also, a Top 5 rating must be approved by the Area Coordinator with substantiation from the BGO. Thus, the BGO might want to give a Top 5 but the AC doesn't think there's sufficient support, so it gets dropped down a notch. The words are the same. This is to prevent "grade inflation."

Don't ask the BGO "how you did." If asked, I would say, "I really enjoyed meeting you, I hope things work out for you and that you become a member of the Class of 202X." I'd say that if it were the strongest, or the weakest, candidate.

Bottom line: Take the BGO interview seriously but don't overthink its importance.
 
To be honest... you should know how the interview went . I've done BGO interviews for almost 20 years, and also spent several years doing on campus interviews of my law firm, The good interviews seem to go fast -- quick rapport, confident responses, good questions , more of a two way discussion than interrogation. If you feel good following the interview -- you probably did fine.
 
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You know that your BGO interview really went well when after you are done chitchatting … you then offer to let him try out your new Stihl 261cm chainsaw … and he takes you up on the offer …

.
 
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Old Navy BGO said:
To be honest... you should know how the interview went . I've done BGO interviews for almost 20 years, and also spent several years doing on campus interviews of my law firm, The good interviews seem to go fast -- quick rapport, confident responses, good questions , more of a two way discussion than interrogation. If you feel good following the interview -- you probably did fine.
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I think the only outlier here would be the candidate who never has a doubt in the world they are a perfect fit for USNA, is a firm believer in their own fabulousness and would not sense a bad interview through any lens…😉
 
I know this flies in the face of a lot of common wisdom, but there is a reason that I advised both DDs to not practice for any of their interviews. Just think about the questions they had for the interviewers and focus on being honest and forthright in their responses to questions posed.

Any interview should be a bidirectional process and is an opportunity for both parties to assess the potential mutual fit. Deemphasizing the "I have to nail this!" mindset allows for a more natural interaction and gives the interviewer an honest view of who you are.
 
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