BGO Interview

A blazer is fine, but I wouldn't suggest it for someone who is not used to and comfortable in one.... for the BGO interview anyway.
 
I've had candidates show up in everything from shorts and a T-shirt to a suit with tie. The former is really not appropriate and the latter is fine but not necessary. Most guys wear a collared shirt and pressed pants. Female candidates tend to wear a skirt or slacks with a blouse/sweater.

Let me be clear -- I'm never going to "not recommend" someone based solely on his/her appearance (well, wearing a T-shirt advocating illicit drug use, etc. might do it:)). But it does set the tone for the interview. If you've made no attempt to look decent, how important is USNA to you?

That said, I'm not "more impressed" by someone who wears a suit than someone who wears clean pants and shirt. Not everyone has a suit -- not everyone can afford a suit -- and I don't want any candidate to go out and buy clothing to attend a BGO interview. What I don't want to see are flip flops, baseball cap, ripped shorts, tank tops, etc. It's really not a high bar.
 
I have never had this happen during a BGO interview but while doing Senatorial panels, several young women have shown up wearing what I would term "party wear" which was quite revealing (to say the least). Club-Wear is not really the right thing to wear and I'd rather see Dockers/Khakis and a blouse than a very daring outfit.
 
I do think that there is a big difference between the BGO/ALO/FFR interview versus the MOC interview, with the former being less formal and the latter being more dressy. Of course regional differences apply.
 
usna1985 said:
I'm not "more impressed" by someone who wears a suit than someone who wears clean pants and shirt. Not everyone has a suit -- not everyone can afford a suit -- and I don't want any candidate to go out and buy clothing to attend a BGO interview.
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I agree. As I mentioned when this thread started, we discuss basically the same topics each time this type of question gets asked. MOC interview is more formal than the BGO interview. If meeting your BGO at your home, you may look overdressed in a suit/tie (for males) since few h.s. students typically wear that at home and perhaps would make you feel uncomfortable, but that would be appropriate dress for the MOC interview. There are also regional difference in what is the usual attire, so this isn't a one size fits all answer. Knowing how to dress appropriately for the occasion is what matters.
 
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