i_like_planes
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Like the title asks, what do you think is the best way to prepare for BGO and nomination interviews? I have both coming up in the next few weeks and would like to be as prepared as possible.
Witnessed DS during BGO interview last November:Like the title asks, what do you think is the best way to prepare for BGO and nomination interviews? I have both coming up in the next few weeks and would like to be as prepared as possible.
Did you sit in on the entire interview or watch it with a remote camera or similar set-up?Witnessed DS during BGO interview last November:
1. Dress for Success.
{Prepare to discuss and provide details if necessary for the following:}
2. Academics. Course Load (STEM). Explain why you made a “C” in Calculus.
3. Fitness. Discuss daily workouts and athletics.
4. Schedule. Daily & Weekly. Prepare to provide hourly-daily breakdowns.
5. Leadership. Prepare to answer, “Give me example (s) that you’ve done which shows your leadership qualities.”
6. Major. “What is your major and why are applying to the Academy?”
Have people you know fire questions at you when you least expect...can be any questions. Makes you stop and think on your feet.Like the title asks, what do you think is the best way to prepare for BGO and nomination interviews? I have both coming up in the next few weeks and would like to be as prepared as possible.
Ok, I'll definitely do some more research on the kinds of programs they offer. I've talked to my BGO a bunch of times already so hopefully it will be more of a conversation.Best advice I can give is to be knowledgeable about the academy and know what programs and opportunities are offered here. Just knowing the little details about the benefit of attending an academy will put you over so many other candidates. Also, dress professionally and come to the interview with a clean shave and nice haircut. That first impression makes all the difference. Finally, prepare for a conversation rather than an interview. You do not want to talk as if you are reading off a page word for word. Be free in your answers and ask questions to your BGO officer about their experiences because it shows that you care.
I'm going to be writing down a bunch of answers to common question I can find online just so that I can get an idea of what I'm going to say.Don't prepare to be word-for-word ready for any specific question. Instead, think things through in advance so that when a question is asked you sound like you've already considered it and you're merely putting your thoughts in order. That means have examples in mind for the bullet points above, have a grasp of your Whys, but do not drop into a rote recitation of a scripted answer. If they ask something a bit off-center from your brilliant pre-written text it'll sound more wrong than right, so take the time to listen carefully and answer the question asked.
Assuming you are responding to my question, did the BGO and/or your son know you were "witnessing"?The set-up:
DS<-Tablet/Zoom->DAD
Dry Erase Bulletin Board was handy during the interview.
And "coaching" using the whiteboard?Assuming you are responding to my question, did the BGO and/or your son know you were "witnessing"?
"that's a good questions, let me think about that"
LOL one of the military guys busted on my son during the interview. Made him laugh.Don't try to be witty or funny in any of these interviews. These are intended to be serious meetings and coming across as a comedian could turn the interview into a complete disaster.
I totally agree that you should have the basic easy questions like "Why you want to attend, Tell me about your leadership experience, etc..." that should be a no brainer. For clarification, there are sometimes a question that requires a little more thought. One my DD had was "Tell me about a time when you strongly disagreed with a classmate or teacher and how you handled the situation". It was a perfect time to say that's a good question, let me think about that. In the amount of time she said that, it gave her enough time to think of a situation and formulate an answer. I agree, certainly you should probably use it seldom during an interview, but it did help for the more challenging questions.The person being interviewed can also come across in a condescending way if they do that a lot. Obviously, the BGO & NOM panels are only going to ask 'good' questions so there is no need to congratulate them on the content of the question. Saying that often would make the candidate look nervous and ill-prepared for the interview. If you haven't thought ahead of time why you are applying to USNA (as an example) or other topics likely to be covered, they you obviously haven't sufficiently prepared for the interview. It would be better to say nothing a FEW seconds before starting the real answer. The MOC NOM interviews are usually with a panel and the candidate should be focused on what is being asked and try to begin their answer once the question is asked. A LONG pause before answering isn't likely to result in a better reply and could also make the candidate appear to not be paying attention.
BGO meeting is less formal of an interview then the MOC NOM process. MANY older threads talk about those, what to expect and how to prepare. With any of these be yourself and don't pretend to be someone you THINK they are looking for. If you don't know the answer to something avoid long/rambly replies that just tend to highlight the fact you really don't know the answer. Talking around a question isn't going to fool anyone on the panel. Don't try to be witty or funny in any of these interviews. These are intended to be serious meetings and coming across as a comedian could turn the interview into a complete disaster. What to wear has also been discussed in other threads. For the less formal BGO interview at home good casual clothes is fine as I would assume hardly anyone typically wears a suit/tie at home. There are also regional difference on how to dress for such meetings. The MOC NOM interview IS the place to dress appropriately, but it is still not necessary to buy an expensive suit (guys), dress (girls) to wear just one time. Some families can't afford that expense and shouldn't feel disadvantaged if they don't. If a guy hasn't worn many suits, it can be a big interview distraction wearing clothes you aren't comfortable with.
Writing down replies might be OK for preparing, but never try to memorize an answer and certainly NEVER take something you wrote down ahead of time into the interview to use as a script.
I also don't get the person in another room who sounded like they were providing prompts/answers during the BGO meeting. Perhaps I missed something, but I would NEVER be fooling around with your laptop/Ipad during an in person BGO interview. That would be a dreadful way to plan for replies. Do your prep BEFORE the meeting.