To counter the negative comments on BGOs my DS had excellent experience with his BGO although I did not get to meet him. My son reached out early in the cycle and had his interview last summer. My son met with his BGO at a restaurant where they sat and talked for 4.5 hours and the gentleman bought lunch. My son tried to give him money to cover his purchase but he refused. After the meeting the BGO was in contact at least 3 times prior to submitting his report to recap and clarify his notes to ensure he put forth an accurate report to the academy. When my son received invitations to interview for nominations, the BGO reached out to him to inquire if he had questions, tips on presentation, advice on what to wear, etc. After the interview process he reached out again to see how it went. The BGO called to inform him he received nominations and randomly sends motivational texts. From my understanding this gentleman has a fulltime job and travels to Washington DC and out of the country regularly. I don't know how many kids the BGO is working with but this man exceeds the expectations.
Blue and Gold Officer Interview
- Thread starter catherine638
- Start date
Just one note for those applying in the future. If you open an app very early and a BGO gets assigned early in the summer and it changes within a few weeks, it’s not a big deal. Usually this is when ACs make changes for BGOs processing out, new ones, balancing out schools, etc. Most BGOs do this because we enjoy it and want to help out candidates. I rather enjoy it and following my candidates as they become Mids and even graduate. I graduated sometime ago and as a basketball player I never had a BGO. My best friend did have one and they still get together for dinner once a year even all these years later.
usna1985
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One other thing that can make a difference is the number of candidates a BGO has. It varies greatly. Some may have only 1 candidate. Others may have 30. To be fair, not all of the 30 will progress in their applications. But you can imagine that someone with many candidates may not be able to spend as much time with each as someone with only 1.
The reason for this, BTW, is that some areas of the country have a lot more applicants than others. They also have a lot more BGOs. In dense areas, BGOs tend to be assigned by school -- it's not uncommon for a single school to have 5-10 (or more) applicants. So, if the BGO has 3 schools, it adds up. ACs try to balance things out (as Hoops noted), but every candidate has to have a BGO which means some BGOs may shoulder a larger load than others.
Must admit 4.5 hours is a LONG time . . .
The reason for this, BTW, is that some areas of the country have a lot more applicants than others. They also have a lot more BGOs. In dense areas, BGOs tend to be assigned by school -- it's not uncommon for a single school to have 5-10 (or more) applicants. So, if the BGO has 3 schools, it adds up. ACs try to balance things out (as Hoops noted), but every candidate has to have a BGO which means some BGOs may shoulder a larger load than others.
Must admit 4.5 hours is a LONG time . . .
DS told me it took nearly an hour for the food to arrive at table and then eating probably took up a bit of the time. I doubt they discussed only the application.
A1Janitor
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We met our BGO the first time at a one night seminar for all the academies in Syracuse. We thought he was rigid, unfriendly.
We were wrong. He was very helpful to my son. And his interview lasted twice as long than expected ... good communication and very friendly. Looking to help. And certainly looking to help my son.
We were wrong. He was very helpful to my son. And his interview lasted twice as long than expected ... good communication and very friendly. Looking to help. And certainly looking to help my son.
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Man! I thought that some of mine were long at 3 hours but I'm a piker compared to this BGO. And that's 4.5 hours with just the candidate where
my 3 hours interviews are usually because the candidate moms (yes, always the moms) have lots of questions.
A1Janitor
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My ex-wife was with my son. She asked questions that indicated she knew nothing about the process ... she said DS did all the work. I think she did a good thing for DS.
Of course her first question was is my son going to be serving in Afghanistan.
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OldRetSWO, don't feel bad...mine are normally 3-3.5 (including the parents)!
I would say that I spend about 6 hours for each candidate that I interview -- about 30-45 minutes before the interview reading resumes and making notes, the interview itself, and about another 2 hours after the interview, writing the interview report (rough draft) and then finalizing it before submission (spelling, grammar, clarity, flow, concise report, etc.). The 6 hours only accounts for just the interview responsibilities -- multiply this by 5-10 candidates (as other BGOs have mentioned) and it is a lot of dedicated hours.
Edit: the 3 hours isn't because I have nothing better to do or just want to make it a long time -- it is normally because each candidate is doing amazing things on the athletic fields, in the classrooms, and through activities -- it takes that long to capture it all. I have been quite amazed at the uniqueness each candidate is bringing to the table and know that I would not stand a shot at an appointment if I tried applying in these times.
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Mine are usually 2-2.5 hours. For some reason the dads have had all the questions. I always tell the candidates I am happy to meet the parents to start then ask we have a quiet area to conduct the interview with just the candidate. If that can’t be done at their home, then I usually meet them at a Starbucks or local ice cream shop. It’s whatever they prefer. But agree it’s usually 5-6 hours for the interview part with prep, interview and write up. During the waiting game I usually drop a text to my candidates every few weeks to check in and see if they have any questions and if they have earned any new college admittance, ROTC scholarships or appointments. I enjoy getting to know the candidates and watching their senior year unfold.
GoCubbies
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My DD’s experience with her BGO was wonderful.
He is a USNA grad, NFO, and retiree. I think his son was a USNA grad too.
Talk about BGOs not receiving any compensation. He lived 4 hours from our house. He left our house after 9pm which means he drove home late or stayed somewhere overnight (and most likely out of his own pocket for the hotel stay). That’s a lot of gas he used to make sure only the best candidates get looked at for the Academy.
He spoke to my DD and us for any hour. He then interviewed my DD for about 1 hour and 15 mins.
Before he left, he set the expectations for my DD in terms of when he’ll file his interview report. He said he had a couple more candidates to interview so he was going to be on the road a couple more days. He would then type up his report over the weekend. DD’s interview was on a Mon or Tues. Sure enough. Her BGO interview was annotated as complete before the next weekend was over.
If I’m using the term correctly, then I’d say Bravo Zulu to my DD’s BGO.
He is a USNA grad, NFO, and retiree. I think his son was a USNA grad too.
Talk about BGOs not receiving any compensation. He lived 4 hours from our house. He left our house after 9pm which means he drove home late or stayed somewhere overnight (and most likely out of his own pocket for the hotel stay). That’s a lot of gas he used to make sure only the best candidates get looked at for the Academy.
He spoke to my DD and us for any hour. He then interviewed my DD for about 1 hour and 15 mins.
Before he left, he set the expectations for my DD in terms of when he’ll file his interview report. He said he had a couple more candidates to interview so he was going to be on the road a couple more days. He would then type up his report over the weekend. DD’s interview was on a Mon or Tues. Sure enough. Her BGO interview was annotated as complete before the next weekend was over.
If I’m using the term correctly, then I’d say Bravo Zulu to my DD’s BGO.
This is very similar to my methods. I prefer to meet at the candidate's home and speak with the parents briefly, then with the candidate alone. It gives me a better picture of what their lives are like, and whether there's any parental pressure. (I think in my case, the moms' and dads' questions are about tied!) I'm in DC, with private school students who live in MD and VA as well, so I get a fair number of kids from military families, but others where the proximity to USNA has sparked an interest from someone whose family has no military experience, so there may be many questions. Depending on how long the chat with parents present goes, I think my overall span is also 2-2.5 hours. I always end by running down how the Admissions process works (well, as much as I understand it), and a warning that it may be quite a while before final decisions are made. I also tell the candidates that I won't post the interview for a couple of days, in case I think of something more to ask, or they remember something they should have told me.
I generally won't hold the interview until the application is at least 30% finished, since so many start it and then never complete it.
But I'm happy to be a resource in the mean time, with advice or guidance. This year I had a candidate who contacted me at 11% (he'd taken the CFA at NASS and submitted nothing) and I said to get some more of it done and we could then meet. A month later he had done nothing, and asked about the interview again. Again-- get some more of it completed. Finally we met, good kid, a little anxious about everything, good interview. But even though I told him I wouldn't post it for a few days, he emailed me two days later asking why it wasn't up! I'm not sure impatience is a good thing to display to someone who's tasked with describing you to an institution you hope to attend.
As others have said, I have a job, a family, and a life of my own. I love volunteering this way, but I have to work it into my schedule. Obviously the OP's situation is not acceptable, but bear in mind the realities of what we're doing-- doing for you.