BGO interview

[serviceaboveAll]

So DS attended NASS #2, came back and absolutely loved it!! He loved the SEAL workout, sea trials, Indic- all of it! He was home for 1 day then left for boys state. He said when he gets home he wants to crank of his applications. He's asked for some mock interviews too. I have a few folks helping me out but was looking for some questions to "surprise" Jim a little. He knows he'll be asked stengths/ weaknesses, why he wants to serve, but he wants to be surprised to see how he does thinking quick on his feet. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[PinWrestling]

- Edit - link removed -

This is a book full of interview questions and tips.
curve balls: Ask him a current event question.

 

[MIDNDAD]

So DS attended NASS #2, came back and absolutely loved it!! He loved the SEAL workout, sea trials, Indic- all of it! He was home for 1 day then left for boys state. He said when he gets home he wants to crank of his applications. He's asked for some mock interviews too. I have a few folks helping me out but was looking for some questions to "surprise" Jim a little. He knows he'll be asked stengths/ weaknesses, why he wants to serve, but he wants to be surprised to see how he does thinking quick on his feet. Any help is greatly appreciated!

First of all the BGO interview is not a very complex process. There is a set format of questions that need to asked but it's nothing that needs to be prepared for. The process ends up being more of a conversation and the main objective is to paint a human face on an application process that is on-line, full of numbers and relatively impersonal. One of the main questions I ask is why do you want to go to the Naval Academy and become a Naval or Marine Corps officer? What led up to your desire to apply and why? Have you thought of what a career in the Navy or Marine Corps would mean to you? Everything else flows from those simple questions.

Tell your DS to relax, dress well, and be himself in the interview. The rest will take care of itself.

PS: The book is a waste of money.

 

[NavyHoops]

BGO interview is more of a conversation. Very true. I did one last week and it was very much a conversation. I did ask questions and they answered, but it had lots of Q&A on both sides. Each BGO has their own nuances. So does each MOC board. If you search back in the nomination thread there are lots of old posts about Nom interviews and prep. Might have to dig but is there.

 

[time2]

I think the OP is confusing the BGO interview with the MOC interview. These are 2 different parts of the process and the BGO interview tends to be more of an informal conversation and focuses more on why one is interested in USNA and answering any questions the applicant might have. While each BGO may operate differently, there are typically no 'trick' questions as part of that interview. The MOC interview which is generally a panel of people, is more formal and may include questions you might have no way to prepare for in order to see if the applicant has been excessively coached with 'canned' replies. I agree as mentioned above, buying some book of interview questions and tips is not necessary.

Several older threads on the topic of interviews.

 

[PinWrestling]

When I was reading earlier I thought he was referring to the MOC nomination interview.

I agree, the BGO interview is a lot easier than the MOC interview. If OP's DS can do well on a MOC interview, he should do just fine with the BGO interview.

 

[navydad21]

The BGO Interview our DD had focused on career choices after graduation. It would help to get familiar with the different options and interests while serving with the Navy/Marines.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

You should think of both interviews as a job interview. First and foremost, be yourself. There are several threads on this forum, and I believe a sticky-- one comment that sticks in my mind is to treat the interview as an important event, both in attire and attitude. The interviews are not just a hoop to jump through.

The BGO is interested in understanding who the candidate is , and why he /she wants to go to USNA. I usually start the interview by telling the candidate that my goal is to paint a picture and fill in the blanks that the rest of the application does not address. (Keep in mind, we don't see the application package, so if there is something important you want to make sure Admissions knows -- Tell Us ! ) The BGO writes up a report and recommendation, and evaluates 6 factors - Interest and Motivation, Leadership Potential, Responsibility, Organizational Skills, Oral Communications and Physical Fitness.

Every BGO has their own style. It can be all question /answer or informal conversation. A lot of that depends on the candidates willingness to open up and talk to a complete stranger. I can assure you that the informal conversation is a lot more enjoyable than trying to pull information from a candidate that is afraid to talk. Be prepared to ask questions....one that always works is asking what he/she did in the Navy --most of us can't resist telling a sea story or two.

 

[usna1985]

MOC nominating committees may sometimes have unexpected questions. There really is no way to prepare for them. For example, someone might ask "Tell me about the last book you read that wasn't assigned by your school." (This is based on one I got years and years ago -- "What book is currently on your nightstand?") Or, "Tell me the living person other than an immediate family member whom you admire most and why?" The fact is there are an infinite number of such questions -- you just have to take them as they come and do your best to answer.

Personally, I think "trick" questions are stupid when dealing with 17-year-olds. Or anyone for that matter. I'm also not a huge fan of current events questions beyond seeing if the candidate is at all aware of what's going on in the world. But I know some MOC committees love these types of questions. BGOs rarely, if ever, ask them.

As noted in the BGO sticky above, you don't have to be an expert on the USN or USMC for either the BGO or MOC interview. But before either, take time to read the usna,edu website and other information about USNA and likely careers upon graduation. Show some familiarity even if you are uncertain as to your major, desired service selection, etc.

 

[MaterMagistra]

Quick question: What to do if the BGO isn't returning contact? DS emailed a month ago and called last week and hasn't heard anything back yet. He hasn't said much, but I know he's disappointed.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

A polite follow up may be warranted. Emails get lost or caught in SPAM filters. If that doesn't work, he could try to contact the Area Coordinator and let him/her know that he can't get in touch with the BGO.

 

[usna1985]

Some BGOs don't focus on the new class until around July 1. We have both the current and new classes in our systems for about a month, which makes it a bit crowded/complicated to sort through. For this reason, plus the fact that most candidates have barely started their applications, BGOs may not be fully engaged at this early date. It's NOT an excuse for not responding to your emails/calls, but could possibly be a reason.

Also, what are you asking of your BGO? If you want to set up the interview, be sure you have completed at least 50% of your packet. If you have general questions and another week or so goes by, agree that you should reach out to the Area Coordinator. He/she can either answer your questions or get the BGO involved.

 

[MaterMagistra]

A polite follow up may be warranted. Emails get lost or caught in SPAM filters. If that doesn't work, he could try to contact the Area Coordinator and let him/her know that he can't get in touch with the BGO.

Thanks. I'll mention it to DS if it gets to this weekend.

Some BGOs don't focus on the new class until around July 1. We have both the current and new classes in our systems for about a month, which makes it a bit crowded/complicated to sort through. For this reason, plus the fact that most candidates have barely started their applications, BGOs may not be fully engaged at this early date. It's NOT an excuse for not responding to your emails/calls, but could possibly be a reason.

Also, what are you asking of your BGO? If you want to set up the interview, be sure you have completed at least 50% of your packet. If you have general questions and another week or so goes by, agree that you should reach out to the Area Coordinator. He/she can either answer your questions or get the BGO involved.

Oh, that makes sense about focusing on those going in right now. I do think he has most of it done. He came home from NASS on fire, lol! I think his biggest reason he was concerned is that contacting the BGO is listed first on the application site, so he did it first. Maybe they should list it last, haha! :-D

 

[MIDNDAD]

Thanks. I'll mention it to DS if it gets to this weekend.



Oh, that makes sense about focusing on those going in right now. I do think he has most of it done. He came home from NASS on fire, lol! I think his biggest reason he was concerned is that contacting the BGO is listed first on the application site, so he did it first. Maybe they should list it last, haha! :-D

It's great that your DS is excited after NASS but I would suggest slowing him down just a bit. Rushing through the application process does not gain anything with admissions. If anything it can hurt your DS if he rushes and puts together a sloppy application. One of the key items an applicant submits is the essay. My advice to candidates is the essay tends to reveal how their thought process works and that there is no right or wrong answer. However, whatever a candidate writes about they should show passion and conviction about the experience and how it relates to life at the Academy and eventually as an officer. Unless your DS is a wordsmith, I've found that a really good essay takes about 2 weeks to achieve a final version. There are multiple writes and re-writes and putting it away for a few days and coming back to it gives a fresh perspective.

Bottom-line, this is an application process where your DS, or any candidate, needs to put forth their very best effort and have no regrets about what they should have or could have done better. Slow down now and take the time to do your best.

 

[usna1985]

I think his biggest reason he was concerned is that contacting the BGO is listed first on the application site, so he did it first. Maybe they should list it last,

Interesting. That may explain the slew of emails over the past few years.

I think Admissions wants candidates to know that the BGO is available to answer questions, etc. If your DS doesn't have any questions and isn't nearly complete with his application, I wouldn't worry about not hearing back from the BGO at the moment. Again, BGOs should always at least acknowledge promptly any correspondence from candidates -- it's common courtesy. But not getting a response isn't a crisis at the moment, especially given that the Admissions board won't meet until September.