Prep for BGO Interview

green09 · 08-22-2005, 12:41 AM

I'm just about to set up an appointment with my BGO officer for the USNA interview. I just wanted several tips regarding how to dress, proper way to behave and few questions that he might throw in. Kind of nervous because USNA is the only academy I'm applying to so I don't want to make any hasty mistakes that might cost me big time.

navy2010 · 08-22-2005, 01:44 AM

green09: suggested dress is sports jacket, tie...belt..shinned shoes....neat haircut...(if female, skirt, conservative, not flashy)...
Behavior: shake hands, introduce your parents if they are with you (but suggest interviewing seperately without them)...be yourself...maintain good eye contact....be able to articulate your reasons for wanting the USNA clearly....suggest reading section in "Candidate Handbook for USNA...How to Apply, etc" (Smallwood)....while it is natural to be nervous, try and alleviate some of that with "practice" session ahead of time- it might help-
have a question or 2 ready that you may need clarification on...but try and avoid quesitons that you should already know the answer to assuming you have done your homework (ie: read USNA catalogue, visit if you can, read other books....there is a thread on this site listing several great resources)....
suggest not bringing any of your paperwork with you (ie: copies of athletic or activity CV...you can always give your BGO a copy later)...but your interview is the one opportunity for admissions (via your BGO) to see the 3-dimensional you, not just your paperwork...so best not to have it as a distraction...
there are lots of other ideas in a previous thread addressing this issue that have been offered by others- good to review-
best of luck~

aspen · 08-22-2005, 10:25 AM

Green09:

If you want some insight into the BGO interview process and the types of questions asked, go to the USNA website and enter "BGO Interview" in the search box at the lower left hand corner of the opening page.

I don't want to ruin the suspense but I will say that you'll find some links to some very relevant information.

Good luck on your interview.

green09 · 08-22-2005, 11:06 AM

Thanks so much for all your feedback. Last year when I applied, I got a thick application book but this year, all I got was a thin piece of envelope with log-in info. after completing my Prelim app. Thanks you guys.

green09 · 08-22-2005, 03:50 PM

This is also another question but off-topic. Since I was a Senior last year, I took old SATs which I did understand that USNA still accepted for this year. My score is 630 Verbal and 780 Math (1410 Combined) and I don't know whether I should take the time to re-study and take it again. Do you think I should try to improve the scores or would it be okay? The thing is, I'm trying to make the September board and the first SAT I date is administered in early October. Thanks in advance!

oiixxg · 08-22-2005, 04:01 PM

Are you in college now? If it's like previous years, the Academy may choose not to send your application to the review board until your 1st semester grades are in. In fact, some college applicants are required to send "mid-semester" grades for second semester in early March before the appointment decision is finalized. In addition, you may be required to send an additional letter of recommendation from a college professor, and it will be at least part way into fall semester before your professors know you well enough to provide a strong recommendation.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade but I know that this was the process used for an applicant with an SAT over 1500 and a high school weighted GPA of over 4.0. It seemed like once you are in college, its college performance, not SAT's that mattered.

DMeix · 08-23-2005, 11:30 AM

Right. I scored a 1340 on the SAT, was rejected last year, and now a student at the University of Washington. My BGO told me not to bother retaking the SAT because the test is meant to measure how well a student can possibly handle college-level work.

Once you're in college taking classes, the SAT isn't going to show much. It's really going to be dependent on how well you do in class.

momoftwins · 08-23-2005, 02:31 PM

green,

It is also a good idea to prepare a 1-page resume. It's a great way to summarize all of your accomplishments in one place. And it's extremely helpful for anyone who is interviewing you. It also adds a sense of professionalism - you know how to present yourself.

Good luck!

green09 · 08-23-2005, 06:50 PM

Thanks everybody for their feedback. I guess I won't re-take the SAT since they will weigh heavily in my freshman grades... Does that mean I won't be even sent a letter of assurance/conditional acceptance even if I submit everything by early September?

Newbyreborn · 08-23-2005, 07:01 PM

wat is BGO? and wat is USNA?

sandiegodude1607 · 08-23-2005, 07:36 PM

I can understand not knowing BGO, but are you serious about not knowing what USNA is? Well, being in the Naval Academy forum, USNA= United States Naval Academy. BGO is Blue & Gold officer.

navy2010 · 08-23-2005, 09:34 PM

newbyreborn: sounds like you need to go to the USAFA website!

tuva137 · 08-24-2005, 04:32 PM

I have a meeting with my BGO tomorrow. I want to go SpecWar and I've been researching and reading up so much on SEALs that military slang has made its way into my everyday talk. I can quell most of the terms but the hardest one to break is the urge to say Hoo-Yah!!! Sometimes instead of "Yes" I'll say it. Instead of "Yes Sir" I'll say it. It's such a great term and I think it displays how much the Navy means to me, but I feel that it may be rude to use since my BGO is a civilian and not a military officer. What do you think?

Cougar_62 · 08-24-2005, 04:39 PM

tuva137, advice I've heard in the past is not to be too hung up on where you want to be after the academy. It's okay to have a goal, but don't let the BGO think it's Seals or nothing. I've heard the same advice for people who want to fly after the Academy.

Bottom line, it's okay to be enthusiastic, but remember, you're not there yet. Would a "real Seal" appreciate you using their terms if you haven't passed their rigid training?

tuva137 · 08-24-2005, 05:30 PM

Thanks for looking out for me Cougar. I realize the danger in saying my reason is a single path. The teams are my primary objective and my dream; however, I know things change and that I may change and want to go aviation, marines, or fleet. As such, I'll surely make it clear to my BGO that while I have a dream, the other options are awesome too.

Actually, it's the wearing of the trident and claiming to be a SEAL they get into an uproar about, they have no problem with saying Hoo-Yah as an expression. I spend a lot of time on a forum called The SEAL Quest. It has past, present, and future frogmen as members. On there, the use of Hoo-Yah is widespread. No one has ever gotten mad about it, they see it as a sign of respect and support for them. However by the same token, it is mostly used in the "Heck Yeah" form rather than the "Yes" form, so I'll check up that.

Thanks