Communication with BGO and Regional Coordinator

boy_from_cali

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How long does it usually take BGOs and Regional Coordinators to respond to their emails from candidates? I currently live in California and I have many questions that are impeding my process to complete the Navy application. I was wondering from any Class of 2022 how their experience have been with setting up their interviews, contacting liasons, etc. Should I call them? Thank you.
 
My BGO takes a while to respond, usually 2-3 weeks per email. You have to understand that these men and women have other jobs to tend to, and this is merely volunteer work. Be patient.

On the other hand, my regional coordinator is usually more responsive. If you are looking for urgent answers, I recommend working around the problem. For example, I needed an urgent question answered, and when both my BGO and Regional Coordinator didn't respond within the week, I called USNA admissions and got my question answered immediately.

Be proactive! That's what USNA is looking for!
 
I have many questions that are impeding my process to complete the Navy application

First of all, be sure you've tried to answer the questions yourself. Start with the usna.edu website under "Admissions." It's a pretty good, step-by-step discussion of what you need to do and how to do it. Also, search this site. There are LOTS of questions that have been asked and answered over the past 10 years. You might find an answer to yours. The stickies above also have useful information. As the above poster said, you need to own your application process.

If you have a truly novel issue -- and some folks do -- try to sort out who is the best person to answer it. USNA Admissions (including your RD) is the best option for issues related to medical status, teacher recs, the CIS system, residency issues for noms, SAT score submission, CFA retakes, etc. BGOs can answer general questions about the admissions process. MOC coordinators are the best to address questions regarding nominations.

In terms of the BGO interview, read the sticky above for details. The short version is that most BGOs won't set up interviews until you have 50-100% of your packet complete. If that is the ONLY thing that remains, then send a polite email to the BGO letting him/her know that your packet is 100% complete other than the interview and you'd like to set it up at a mutually convenient time and place as soon as reasonably possible.

Most BGOs try to get back to candidates promptly. However, people do travel for business, take vacations, get sick, etc. which could delay things for a bit. This is also prime vacation season. That said, sadly, a small number of BGOs are terrible about communicating with candidates. If you don't hear back in 7-10 days, send a polite follow-up email. If continued efforts to contact the BGO fail, then either contact Admissions or contact your Area Coordinator (who coordinates BGOs in your area) and indicate you've had trouble making contact. However, this should be a last resort after repeated attempts over weeks have failed.
 
^^ I agree, it is only August and the admissions cycle is just getting started. Unless you have some unusual set of circumstances, then there really would be very little reason to need to be 'urgently' contacting your BGO. Applicants need to first take the initiative to find the answers to the most commonly asked questions by doing their own research. The only interviews associated with applying to USNA involve your BGO (they will contact you to set that up) and your MOC. MOC who do interviews generally take place in the 4th quarter all at one time and most likely they have a website detailing their specific process.
 
My BGO takes a while to respond, usually 2-3 weeks per email. You have to understand that these men and women have other jobs to tend to, and this is merely volunteer work. Be patient.

On the other hand, my regional coordinator is usually more responsive. If you are looking for urgent answers, I recommend working around the problem. For example, I needed an urgent question answered, and when both my BGO and Regional Coordinator didn't respond within the week, I called USNA admissions and got my question answered immediately.

Be proactive! That's what USNA is looking for!

Thank you so much for your response.
 
^^ I agree, it is only August and the admissions cycle is just getting started. Unless you have some unusual set of circumstances, then there really would be very little reason to need to be 'urgently' contacting your BGO. Applicants need to first take the initiative to find the answers to the most commonly asked questions by doing their own research. The only interviews associated with applying to USNA involve your BGO (they will contact you to set that up) and your MOC. MOC who do interviews generally take place in the 4th quarter all at one time and most likely they have a website detailing their specific process.

Thank you for your response. I think it's safe to say, however, that everyone wants to finish their application early for Admissions consideration. Thus, if we can't find answers in the Navy FAQ, we contact our BGOs and Regional Coordinators as soon as possible for inquiries.

Navy also quoted in my portal that "If your Application Status above displays a Required Action to 'Complete BGO Interview', you are required to contact this individual to set up an interview that will be included in your admissions file" so I am unsure what you mean by BGOs contacting me first. If that is true then I guess I'll wait for that email when my file is over 50% completed.
 
Your original post doesn't really state specific questions and makes several general comments, so the best we can do is refer you to the USNA website, the forum 'stickies' and your MOC website. IF you have read all of those AND still have specific questions, you will find those here more then happy to assist. What both USNA1985 & I said was that the BGO will contact you after you completed at least 50% of your application to schedule the interview. (The stickies also make that same point.) Many applicants go through the entire application process and never have a need to contact their RC.
 
Your original post doesn't really state specific questions and makes several general comments, so the best we can do is refer you to the USNA website, the forum 'stickies' and your MOC website. IF you have read all of those AND still have specific questions, you will find those here more then happy to assist. What both USNA1985 & I said was that the BGO will contact you after you completed at least 50% of your application to schedule the interview. (The stickies also make that same point.) Many applicants go through the entire application process and never have a need to contact their RC.

I'm sorry if I came off rude. I am stressed out about the application after hearing people already starting their files last month. I sincerly apologize to you. Thank you again for answering this thread and I'll try my best to consult forum stickies and dig around the USNA website more.

Some specific questions that I had were the following:

1. Where would I submit my AP scores to Navy? Do they even require them for academic evaluation in the candidate application? Do they require SAT subject scores?

2. How could I transfer my CFA score that I received at West Point SLE to my Navy portal?
 
Some specific questions that I had were the following:

1. Where would I submit my AP scores to Navy? Do they even require them for academic evaluation in the candidate application? Do they require SAT subject scores?

2. How could I transfer my CFA score that I received at West Point SLE to my Navy portal?

I say you should feel free to send those questions directly to your Regional Director (contact info should be available on Admissions website). These are more technical issues than the average BGO can answer. (On the AP test /SAT test question, just include that in the email ... as a practical matter , I suspect if they aren't specifically asked for in your online application, they really don't go into your Whole Person Multiple, but it can't hurt to give Admissions the information ...it might help).

Finally, as for contacting your BGO , others have noted that we are all different. Some monitor emails continuously and respond quickly, others may check emails once a week. If you don't hear back, a polite follow up may be warranted. Also, keep in mind that email is not always fool proof-- my office has a very aggressive spam filter, so I have lost emails. I don't know if the information USNA gives you includes Phone numbers, but a little computer sleuthing can usually find contact information for just about anyone ....
 
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