Summer Seminar and BGO Interview

[candidate3256]

I have had this question for quite some time, but have never gotten a definitive answer.

How much will the Naval Academy take into account your BGO interview and Summer Seminar evaluation?

I feel like a blew my chances since I got a C+ in AP Calc this semester and only have a 28 on my ACT math, but I did extremely well on my BGO interview and my squad leader at summer seminar informed me that he rated me with the highest overall score. I don't know if this means much, so I came here where maybe someone has some insight.

(side note: could a 1 or 2 ACT score difference be a determining factor? Don't feel like it should since an ACT doesn't make a Naval Officer and I show a strong background in my math from my previous years, but I understand it's necessary in the admissions process)

Thanks!

 

[TexasAggie204]

My son's Regional Admissions Counselor for USMA told him that 1 or 2 points on the ACT could be critical to admissions. He cited an example of a candidate from the previous year who raised one of his scores by 1 point and it put him over the barrier to get admitted. He strongly recommended taking both the ACT and the SAT (which my son did), and that they would "pick and choose" the highest scores. Strangely, my son did better on the SAT (which we had been told is NOT the norm) as compared to the ACT. Son did say that the ACT essay (required for USMA) was significantly easier that the SAT essay...??? Obviously can't offer any real facts on that, but his essay scores confirm that opinion.

 

[time2]

None of us work in admissions to know the exact formula and what USMA does for admissions may/may not be relevant to USNA.

Am curious how you would know............

but I did extremely well on my BGO interview

 

[justdoit19]

The reason you haven’t received a DEFINITIVE answer is because there isn’t one. Yes, there are some things that are boxes that you check that are completely and objectively measured (IE: attended boys/girls state), but there are also areas that are a more objective/less defined area of ‘scoring’: how you interview, your recommendations, etc.

Add into that where someone tracking along exactly like you everywhere except has one point higher ACT? Then it could be critical. Alternatively, on your SLATE, perhaps you have that lower ACT, but receive a principal nomination bc (for example purposes) your MOC is highly impressed that you went to summer seminar....(which alone isn’t an indicator of an appointment, even with a good write up). So in this case the one point ACT isn’t critical. And summer seminar helps in a round about way because you win that MOC’s slate with a principal nom (for example).

Alternately, you dont won’t the slate, are put in the NWL pool, your resume is competing against others where the ACT could be way more important now and Sumer Seminar isn’t (bc USNA admissions review doesn’t value it as highly for example). See how there isnt a definitive answer?

BTW, example assumes 3Q.

Its often stated that a BGO interview won’t get you in but it can keep you out. Same with Summer Seminar. Also these are subjects discussed a lot, search around the forums. But it’s not a definitive, black and white answer. You are evaluated as yourself in whole.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I feel like a blew my chances since I got a C+ in AP Calc this semester and only have a 28 on my ACT math, but I did extremely well on my BGO interview and my squad leader at summer seminar informed me that he rated me with the highest overall score

As noted above,,nobody really knows how much weight the BGO evaluation is given. As I have stated before, I believe that it makes the most difference on the two extremes -- identifying the REALLY good , and the REALLY bad. (I emphasize REALLY, because most of my candidates are great kids...REALLY means they standout above the crowd). I don't necessarily subscribe to the idea that a BGO interview "can keep you out...." because the the few bad candidates that I have seen had a number of warning signs, and strongly suspect that they would have been denied regardless of what I wrote up.

Same answer with the NASS eval, but with the added comment that I believe NASS squad leaders are 3rd Class Midshipman, who just recently completed Plebe year, and are really getting their first leadership opportunity at USNA (and first time to write with evals).

What I can say, with a reasonable degree of certainty, based upon almost 20 years of being a BGO and watching scores of applicants...no BGO interview or NASS write up is going to overcome lower academic scores. Considerable weight is given to College Board scores , and I have often seen the candidate with higher SAT's/Grades beat out the candidate who I perceived to be the "better" all around candidate. That said, keep in mind that the BGO doesn't even see the whole application, I would expect that a strong evaluation from your Math teacher is more important than either the BGO or NASS input.

 

[TexasAggie204]

Considerable weight is given to College Board scores , and I have often seen the candidate with higher SAT's/Grades beat out the candidate who I perceived to be the "better" all around candidate.

Glad this is mentioned here. Although this may be an "unpopular" opinion to many, I can assure you I personally know of several examples of this - very close to home. My son's USMA Regional Commander basically said the same thing to him, that is, "SAT's/ACT's mean a lot" for admissions. The good news in all of this is that with proper preparedness, repetition, and training, motivated candidates can almost always significantly surpass the scores of those who are less prepared.