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<p>What is your source for this statement? I don’t believe this to be accurate. Additionally, NROTC applications must far exceed 15,000.</p>
<p>actually, i heard about this from SAF and a parent talked about how a BGO told him about the “combination” if you will. and although i don’t know the exact number of NROTC applicants, i’m sure it doesn’t come near to 15,000.</p>
<p>What is striking to me is that most don’t see that the information BGO’s offer is clearly biased (and why wouldn’t it be… they represent the USNA) and tantamount to simple propaganda. Measure EVERY bit of information they put forth very carefully.</p>
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<p>Sorry, but as a BGO I take offense at the above comment. Why would I have any incentive to give a candidate bad advice? I make suggestions based on the guidance we are provided by USNA and my experience as a mid, an officer, and a BGO. We all want the very best candidates to enter USNA and I do my best to help every candidate have that opportunity. </p>
<p>If a candidate is, IMO, lacking in one or more areas, I tell the candidate what I think, why I think it, and what I suggest the candidate do to improve (if possible). In some cases, a candidate can take my advice and still not receive an appointment. I don’t offer appointments and, other than my filing an interview summary, USNA doesn’t consult with me regarding whether to give someone an appointment. </p>
<p>In addition, for privacy purposes to protect the candidate, BGO’s do NOT see ANY of the documents you submit to USNA. We don’t see whether your teachers love you or think you’re a jerk. We don’t see your “resume.” We don’t read your essay so don’t know if you can write a complete sentence. We don’t see the courses you take or the grades you received. We don’t get your CFA scores. We can ASK these questions but only know what you tell us. Thus, I may suggest you retake your SATs to better your chances but not realize that your teachers have “sunk” you with terrible recommendations or that you can’t run the mile faster than 10:00 or that your are ranked in the bottom 10% of your class.</p>
<p>I will say this much. If you as a candidate decide that NOT following your BGO’s advice is the better track to getting an appointment than following it . . . I hope you have a great Plan B.</p>
<p>That’s the spark … and good counsel, counselor! We don’t care what they say of Navy barristers! You’re ok, and as usual, on the $$. goldenlab’s nose must be a bit warm and dry today … :eek: </p>
<p>Don’t worry, I’m sitting down. ;)</p>
<p>I wish i could share with you the PM’s I received with those who concur with my sentiments. Those who have had BGO ‘go navy beat army’ cheerleaders who all but disappear after they realize their advisee isn’t a sure thing for an appointment. There are many terrific, well intended counselors out there who wear a BGO hat and kudos to them! It is the ones on this forum who want you to believe they are all omnipotent that make us cringe.</p>
<p>^^ Happened with my USAFA ALO. Really pushed me for Air Force, but when Navy came through and Air Force didn’t, he sort of faded away.</p>
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<p>A couple of points. First of all, we are all volunteers. Most of us have full-time jobs and/or family obligations. Some of us have upwards of 20 students per year while others may cover a territory that spans hundreds of miles. While we do our best, not everyone will get the attention he/she wants from the BGO. That is not to excuse poor performers – and there are those out there. But make sure your expectations are realistic.</p>
<p>Second, we are a RESOURCE for candidates. I tell my candidates in emails and during the interview that I’m available to help them or answer questions. However, I’m not there to nag them to make sure things are submitted on time nor is my purpose to call them every week to make sure things are going well. Quite frankly, I’m not necessarily there to recruit. I had a student a few years ago trying to decide b/t USNA and USCGA. I told her that she needed to decide what was best for her. She chose USCGA and was very happy. So was I.</p>
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<p>There is a difference between claiming omnipotence and providing inaccurate or bad advice. Realize that, on this forum, you have no idea whether someone is what they say they are. You don’t know whether I’m a BGO other than I’ve told you I am. Advice on a forum like this is worth what you pay for it and you should approach it cautiously.</p>
<p>Your BGO is there to advise you. “Advise” is the key word. USNA doesn’t send us a list of things a candidate needs to do to get an appointment – we base our advice on training we receive and experience. </p>
<p>Quite frankly, there are some students that no matter what they do between when we learn about them (June) and appointment time (April), NOTHING will help them get an appointment. It’s unfortunate, but true. Abandoning them isn’t great practice but calling daily isn’t going to change reality.</p>
<p>One final thing . . . among current mids, former mids, current and former parents, and BGOs, those most likely to be able to provide good advice on the admissions process are BGOs. The others have one (or maybe a couple in the case of parents) experience – their own – at one point in time. BGOs see candidates year after year. Doesn’t make us omnipotent but, other than CGO itself, probably your best source.</p>
<p>I would like to offer a big shout out Thank You to any and all Navy BGO’s (and their counterparts at other service academies) for their selfless, but valuable volunteer service to SA candidates and our country. These trained and dedicated academy liaisons interview and assist high students seeking appointments to highly selective military service academies without any financial remuneration. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s my understanding that the only obligation a BGO has to a candidate is the interview. Beyond that, it’s altruism and going above and beyond the call of duty.</p>
<p>I have a graduating firstie and I only wish USNA1985 had been her BGO! Listen to this grad/BGO and you will get the ‘gouge!’ :)</p>
<p>Again, thanks to all BGO’s on this forum!</p>
<p>one additional note-</p>
<p>The BGO’s job is to “interest the qualified, not qualify the interested.”</p>
<p>BGO’s cannot get you in-
but their interview remarks are calculated into your whole person score, and that can either help, hurt, or not influence the ultimate decision.</p>
<p>YOU have to get YOU in. NOT your BGO.
YOU have to do the work, NOT your BGO.
We can mentor, support, advise, council, etc-but we can’t send you an appointment, nor can we work miracles. </p>
<p>This is YOUR application.
YOUR merit.
YOUR effort.</p>
<p>Mine came today…very disappointing. I thought I was prepared but I wasn’t. It’s still a shocker…I know I’ll come through this but right now it feels like I’ve been punched in the gut and somebody stole my dream. Anyone out there still waiting?</p>
<p>Yeah, here in Tennessee still waitin. Got out of school early sue something would be here today… nothing! Super nervous because my roomate at NASS got a 34 on his ACT the first time and still got denied. Ill feel the same way as you if I am denied this is the dream. Sorry for your loss.</p>