Tips for interview
- Thread starter MrFiggs
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#GoNavyBeatArmy
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First, take ten deep breaths prior to walking into your interview; take the time to do this; Firm handshake, great eye contact. Smile upon arrival, and when you are speaking. When asked a question, take the time to pause and formulate your answer. It is okay to pause and state, "Good question." when you need a moment to answer. Just be your wonderful self!
Lots of older threads on this topic. Typically, the BGO interview is held at the candidate's home and is more informal and less structured then the MOC interviews. These are more likely to be informal conversations vs a more rigid question/answer type of meeting. Constantly saying 'good question' to your BGO will come across as condescending and not an approach I would recommend. BGO is only going to discuss relevant topics so it isn't like he/she will ask questions not relevant to USNA. BGO interviews are intended to provide the applicant (and their parents) answers to basic questions about USNA. BGO's also assess the candidates motivation/interest in applying. If the candidate is ONLY applying since they are being pushed by their parents on this path, would be a good time to let the BGO know.
Old Navy BGO
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There are lots of threads on this topic through all the Forums, but just a couple brief thoughts (from the guy on the other side of the table).
1) Relax and be yourself -- the interview is no fun for either of us if you are uptight or are trying to hard. (One sign that the interview went well is that you realize that 1 - 1/2 hours has passed and it seems like minutes).
2) Be prepared; Have some good questions of your own,, and be prepared for the most common questions , ie. "why do you want to attend USNA ?"; what would you do for Service Selection ? What do you want to major in ?
3) If USNA isn't your first choice, be honest but prepared to explain why ? (This is addressed in another thread recently and some will disagree ).
4) Don't take everything you see about BGO interviews on this Forum as fact. I don't know the number of BGO's , but suspet there are at least 1000 around the country, a while we have some common training, we all do things slightly differently. (For example, I do most of my interviews at my office....I know a lot of BGO's go to the candidates' home).
5) Finally (this is more personal opinion, as Admissions really doesn't tell us how much weight they give to the BGO interview), except in rare circumstances, the BGO interview isn't going to get you into, or keep you out of, USNA. I have often said here that I suspect the interview has its most effect at the extremes ..ie. identifying the really exceptional or really poor candidate. Fortunately, I've seen alot more of the former than the later.
There will probably be a lot of good (and bad) advice on this thread ...in the event you see conflicting advice, just look at my first comment --if you relax and be yourself, you will do fine !
1) Relax and be yourself -- the interview is no fun for either of us if you are uptight or are trying to hard. (One sign that the interview went well is that you realize that 1 - 1/2 hours has passed and it seems like minutes).
2) Be prepared; Have some good questions of your own,, and be prepared for the most common questions , ie. "why do you want to attend USNA ?"; what would you do for Service Selection ? What do you want to major in ?
3) If USNA isn't your first choice, be honest but prepared to explain why ? (This is addressed in another thread recently and some will disagree ).
4) Don't take everything you see about BGO interviews on this Forum as fact. I don't know the number of BGO's , but suspet there are at least 1000 around the country, a while we have some common training, we all do things slightly differently. (For example, I do most of my interviews at my office....I know a lot of BGO's go to the candidates' home).
5) Finally (this is more personal opinion, as Admissions really doesn't tell us how much weight they give to the BGO interview), except in rare circumstances, the BGO interview isn't going to get you into, or keep you out of, USNA. I have often said here that I suspect the interview has its most effect at the extremes ..ie. identifying the really exceptional or really poor candidate. Fortunately, I've seen alot more of the former than the later.
There will probably be a lot of good (and bad) advice on this thread ...in the event you see conflicting advice, just look at my first comment --if you relax and be yourself, you will do fine !
Thank you for the feedback!
usna1985
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Also, this is the time and place to explain something in your application. For example, you struggled first semester sophomore year b/c a relative was diagnosed with cancer. Or English is not the language spoken in your home. Or you don't have many activities b/c you have a single parent and are tasked with taking care of your siblings.
Really, all the stuff folks talk about on these boards as anomalies. The BGO interview is the time and place to raise them. That said, if the issue is "negative," try to demonstrate how you've overcome that issue. This isn't the time to whine and snivel. And, if you have nothing unusual, that's perfectly fine -- most don't.
Really, all the stuff folks talk about on these boards as anomalies. The BGO interview is the time and place to raise them. That said, if the issue is "negative," try to demonstrate how you've overcome that issue. This isn't the time to whine and snivel. And, if you have nothing unusual, that's perfectly fine -- most don't.
2024candidate
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Be focused, make eye contact, sit up straight, dress formally (plenty of info on how to dress on the forum), and remember that you need to prove to him that you are worth giving a $400,000 scholarship. If you keep that in the back of your mind, you will have no problem addressing the questions with appropriate detail without rambling.
If you're interested in what to expect: for me, it was like the congressional nomination interview, but with two less people and much less intimidating. My BGO reassured me before the interview that his role is to help me through the process.. definitely put me at ease a little, but don't let that interfere with your mindset: "I need to prove to him that I deserve $400,000 from the government."
If you're interested in what to expect: for me, it was like the congressional nomination interview, but with two less people and much less intimidating. My BGO reassured me before the interview that his role is to help me through the process.. definitely put me at ease a little, but don't let that interfere with your mindset: "I need to prove to him that I deserve $400,000 from the government."