JohnJr1601

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2017
Messages
68
Hello Everyone,
Many people have told me to establish good connections with my BGO, but I am having difficulty with some things. First, how do you know who your Blue and Gold Officer is? I checked on the USNA website (https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/BGO/), and I saw three BGO (for VA). I was wondering if it was one for each section of VA, or if there were many located in each county? I live outside of D.C., so I hope that there is a BGO near me.
Secondly, I was also told that I should call my BGO and inform him that I am interested in attending the Naval Academy and that I should also set up an interview, so he gets to know me. Any thoughts?
Finally, does anyone know any of the BGO from VA if so, any suggestions on who is the best one?
Thank you for your time!
 
There are dozens of BGOs in VA. USNA breaks down areas with an Area Coordinator and they coordinate BGO assignments. What is posted on that link is the AC. Based upon BGOs moving, addition of new ones, etc assignments can change year to year. You won't know who your BGO is until you officially apply and then your portal will list who they are. Since you live outside D.C. there are tons of them. Right now BGOs are focused on this year's class. There are lots of threads on here about BGOs, their role, etc that might worth reading. Your BGO is there to answer questions and conduct your interview. Every BGO does interviews slightly different, but be ensured that once you apply and get to a certain point in the process you will have an interview. Most complete the interview once you get to 50% or more (it can vary). If you have a specific question you can reach out to the AC in your area and they can help answer it or get you in touch with a BGO. I would recommend you find a SA night or a USNA Open House even for the D.C. Area as they would be helpful.
 
There are dozens of BGOs in VA. USNA breaks down areas with an Area Coordinator, and they coordinate BGO assignments. What is posted on that link is the AC. Based upon BGOs moving, the addition of new ones, etc assignments can change year to year. You won't know who your BGO is until you officially apply and then your portal will list who they are. Since you live outside D.C. there are tons of them. Right now BGOs are focused on this year's class. There are lots of threads on here about BGOs, their role, etc that might worth reading. Your BGO is there to answer questions and conduct your interview. Every BGO does interviews slightly different, but be ensured that once you apply and get to a certain point in the process you will have an interview. Most complete the interview once you get to 50% or more (it can vary). If you have a specific question you can reach out to the AC in your area and they can help answer it or get you in touch with a BGO. I would recommend you find a SA night or a USNA Open House even for the D.C. Area as they would be helpful.
Thank you for your help. I just have one more question; the person I spoke to said to do an interview/meet and greet before you apply. He said that way he will get to know you. I was with a freshman, in High School as well, when he said this, and he even that the freshman should also have an interview (still as a freshman). Any thoughts? Thanks!
 
That is up to the BGO. If I had a candidate in your shoes and asked for a meet and greet before applying I honestly would tell them no. I would give them a list of local college nights and SA nights in the area they could attend and if they had questions they can email or call me. There are other BGOs on this forum that can chime in and give their thoughts.
 
That is up to the BGO. If I had a candidate in your shoes and asked for a meet and greet before applying I honestly would tell them no. I would give them a list of local college nights and SA nights in the area they could attend and if they had questions they can email or call me. There are other BGOs on this forum that can chime in and give their thoughts.[/QUOTE
Thanks for the info.
 
Trying to build a relationship with your BGO is really not part of the process and won't improve your chances for an appointment. Many will only meet their BGO one time for the interview and then might correspond regarding further questions via email, but does tend to vary by BGO as mentioned above. One thing you will find about applying to any of the SA's is that friends/relatives/neighbors or even the postman will offer all sorts of dubious advice even when they have no idea what they are talking about. Best to stick with official/current sources for the best information.
 
Trying to build a relationship with your BGO is really not part of the process and won't improve your chances for an appointment. Many will only meet their BGO one time for the interview and then might correspond regarding further questions via email, but does tend to vary by BGO as mentioned above. One thing you will find about applying to any of the SA's is that friends/relatives/neighbors or even the postman will offer all sorts of dubious advice even when they have no idea what they are talking about. Best to stick with official/current sources for the best information.
I agree with this. Our kid did his research on his own, so he didn't really have any questions about the process to ask the BGO. His BGO said he didn't want to talk with him until his application was 100% complete. After it was, he then scheduled his interview and that was it. He got his LOA later.
 
Trying to build a relationship with your BGO is really not part of the process and won't improve your chances for an appointment. Many will only meet their BGO one time for the interview and then might correspond regarding further questions via email, but does tend to vary by BGO as mentioned above. One thing you will find about applying to any of the SA's is that friends/relatives/neighbors or even the postman will offer all sorts of dubious advice even when they have no idea what they are talking about. Best to stick with official/current sources for the best information.
I agree with this. Our kid did his research on his own, so he didn't really have any questions about the process to ask the BGO. His BGO said he didn't want to talk with him until his application was 100% complete. After it was, he then scheduled his interview and that was it. He got his LOA later.
Do you think it would be a good idea to email or call him/she to let them know that I am interested?
 
When you open an application for Summer Seminar they will know you are interested. Completing your application will let them know you are not only interested but committed. Focus on school, sports, leadership, volunteering and your standardized tests. Be ready to apply for NASS when it opens.
 
Trying to build a relationship with your BGO is really not part of the process and won't improve your chances for an appointment. Many will only meet their BGO one time for the interview and then might correspond regarding further questions via email, but does tend to vary by BGO as mentioned above. One thing you will find about applying to any of the SA's is that friends/relatives/neighbors or even the postman will offer all sorts of dubious advice even when they have no idea what they are talking about. Best to stick with official/current sources for the best information.
I agree with this. Our kid did his research on his own, so he didn't really have any questions about the process to ask the BGO. His BGO said he didn't want to talk with him until his application was 100% complete. After it was, he then scheduled his interview and that was it. He got his LOA later.
Do you think it would be a good idea to email or call him/she to let them know that I am interested?
There is no harm in making an introduction, however, I would not start bombarding him/her with questions. Spend time researching the academies, studying and taking your ACT/SATs, bocus on your leadership positions and get the Summer Seminar application in as soon as it opens up.
 
I frequently talk to potential candidates well before their junior and senior year. I appreciate their motivation and initiative in searching me out, and feel that I can have a bigger impact when I talk to them early in their high school career. That being said, early contact is not mandatory so don't feel the need to contact your BGO just so he/ she "knows you" . If you make contact - do your homework first , show your interest and motivation by asking specific questions that show you've read everything on the Admissions website.
 
Every BGO does things differently and, in most cases, how they approach non-seniors interested in USNA depends on their personality, how many candidates they have, and how busy they are. Some BGOs have a lot of time to devote to the program; others hold down full-time jobs or have large families or are otherwise busy. Some BGOs have 1 or 2 candidates per year; others have more than 30. The first priority is current candidates, but one element of the job is to seek out and encourage underclassmen.

In some areas (such as Northern VA), there are LOTS of ways for candidates to get info about USNA, including SA days run by MOCs, visiting USNA, OPINFO, etc. In other areas of the country none of these opportunities may exist. In that case, the BGO may be the ONLY resource to a candidate.

If a busy BGO has 25 candidates to interview, he/she probably isn't going to be excited about meeting with a freshman. That said, if you've made an effort to find info on your own and still have questions, every BGO I know will be happy to communicate with you via email or phone. Under these circumstances, BGOs are going to be happier if you have a specific question vs. "hey, I just want to get to know you." If, upon contacting your BGO, you end up with an ongoing dialogue or meeting, great. But it's not the norm nor expected.

Bottom line: there is no need to establish a relationship with your BGO in order to be a successful candidate. It's not a magic elixir. It doesn't mean you'll have a better interview. It has no bearing on the ultimate success of your application. If you meet your BGO for the first and only time during your interview, you'll be fine -- if it ends up being more, that's terrific as well.
 
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