Protocol for B&G Officer visiting house for interview

Why are these taking place in a home and not at a coffee shop or fast food? I think it would stress candidates who don't live in a place they consider suitable for visitors.
 
lipton_hot_tea said:
Why are these taking place in a home and not at a coffee shop or fast food? I think it would stress candidates who don't live in a place they consider suitable for visitors.
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Perhaps the original intent was for the interviewer to get a glimpse of a candidate's personal life. I agree that a neutral territory seems more appropriate (not necessarily Mickie D's or Starbucks though). Even if the house is immaculate, but family are cat people, and the interviewer is allergic, it could be a bad interview.
 
one of the things BGOs are asked to evaluate, is whether or not there appears to be undue pressure from the parents to pursue the SA, rather than the motivation coming from the candidate.

this happens a lot, and is the reason for many of DORs during Plebe summer

interviews in the home are not uncommon for lots of colleges, not just SAs. they are encouraged but certainly not required.
 
In the old days, USNA definitely encouraged interviews in the candidate's home for the reasons A6E Dad stated above. However, I don't see a need to meet the parents to help determine if there is too much parental involvement. Many times, parents drive their kids to my house and I always ask the candidate if they have any questions or would like to speak with me as I'm happy to do that. I think the candidate has said "yes" only one time in 20+ years.
 
DS has upcoming BGO interview and parents were asked to be present. Originally scheduled in person and will now be via Zoom. Any suggestions for Zoom approach w parents? Should DS call in from one screen and parents from another room together? Join in the beginning for BGO overview, drop and re-join to close if requested?
 
penguin05 said:
DS has upcoming BGO interview and parents were asked to be present. Originally scheduled in person and will now be via Zoom. Any suggestions for Zoom approach w parents? Should DS call in from one screen and parents from another room together? Join in the beginning for BGO overview, drop and re-join to close if requested?
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Why not ask the BGO?
 
penguin05 said:
Any suggestions for Zoom approach w parents?
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BGO's often want to see if the parents of applicant have any questions. If you are all in the same location (i.e. applicant is not away at boarding school, for example), then I would think it is fine to all be together in one Zoom session to start the interview. Typically, the BGO also wants to have a discussion with only the candidate to assess their interest, allow them time for questions and get a sense if the applicant is being pushed into something by their parents they are not really interested in. After the BGO answers any questions the parents might have, you can just leave the room so your son and BGO can have a private discussion. This really isn't any different from the BGO being at your house in person. I don't think it is that big of a deal.

Make sure your son has successfully used Zoom on that PC and has it setup correctly and familiar with how to use it. Fiddling with settings/configurations/audio/lighting can be a huge distraction during an interview. Position the camera/microphone so everyone can be seen/heard and the background isn't cluttered. Make sure to turn off cell phones to avoid interruptions (or leave them somewhere else). If you have the type of PC that beeps/chimes/buzzes each time you get an email or notice, close out of all other applications so you can focus on the interview.

If the BGO wants the parents to rejoin for a wrap-up, your son can just come and ask you to rejoin. Being on 2 different sessions of Zoom would make this needlessly complicated.

(Our HOA recently tried to having a homeowners meeting via Zoom due to covid and it was a complete disaster. None of the board members had ever used Zoom, didn't sit near the microphone and kept having random conversations off cam. Those watching found it terribly frustrating and we kept reminding them to sit near the PC and speak into the mic so we could hear the conversations. People without any Zoom experience can look very foolish if they don't plan ahead.)
 
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