BGO mission, responsibilities, reasonable expectations

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>There are a number of BGOs - Blue and Gold Officers - who participate on CC. These are volunteers for USNA Admissions who might be USNA alums, former USN officers and enlisted personnel, parents, and interested friends of USNA. For the most part, it is assumed that readers understand the designated role of BGOs, which may not be so. Also, readers have learned that there are very disparate levels of involvement, information sharing, experience and engagement with candidates. Some BGOs do an interview and that's about it. Others book the bus for I Day and set up a buffet next to the head in the back. </p>

<p>Would this be a fair time for game BGOs to review for interested readers both prescriptive and descriptive roles of the BGO, i.e. what candidates should expect from you and when, what they should do when it's not working for whatever reasons, i.e. how and when a candidate needs to move beyond, if ever. </p>

<p>It seems like the latter scenario can become a major stumbling block or at least a frustrating, sometimes fearful "egg walking" type deterrent for candidates and their parents. It's apparent that one size does not fit all circumstances, understandably since its tough training, maintaining, and when necessary, firing volunteers. </p>

<p>What should and should not BGO's be able to inform, help with in the process? Where are the chronic pitfalls in the process? Is there an appropriate interface or MO for communicating with regional admissions officers and/or BGOs? Are their important risks candidates should know of in communicating or failing to do so with BGOs? Do BGOs talk in any meaningful way w/ admissions officers? Some specific information, expansion might benefit candidates. While many BGOs are extremely knowledgeable and involved w/ their candidates, too often it seems there are questions where the candidate is not getting timely information and is consequently walking on egg shells.</p>

<p>Just seems to me there continues to be unnecessary vagueness, misinformation, and even mystery about some of this process that a bit more specific, detailed information might help with. Anyone(s) sharing this observation and/or willing to tackle it a bit?</p>

2

<p>Any and all contact with my MIDs BGO was always positive, helpful and informative. He was and is a true professional (must be the Marine Corps Indoctrination). When We had problems (DODMERB) and he couldn't answer the questions he directed us to those that might. He went out of his way to arrange a long distance presentation for High School Graduation Prize Night. All in All a great gentleman. </p>

<p>I assume that most BGOs have a life outside their volunteer work as a representative for applicants to USNA. They are not on call 24/7. They are facilitators during the application process not always the go to guy/woman. Each candidate has a Regional Admission Officer they can contact if they are having problems they can't resolve through their BGO. Call Admissions or possibly meet with them during CVW. They are there to answer your questions and help you. I do not know what the certification procedure is for a BGO but I assume that enough reported problems and or complaints would initiate a review of their status. They give their time freely without compensation. I think they love the job and are doing the best they can with the best they got.</p>

3

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What should and should not BGO's be able to inform, help with in the process? Where are the chronic pitfalls in the process? Is there an appropriate interface or MO for communicating with regional admissions officers and/or BGOs? Are their important risks candidates should know of in communicating or failing to do so with BGOs? Do BGOs talk in any meaningful way w/ admissions officers?

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<p>I'll try to take this on. First of all, it is true that BGOs are volunteers. We are typically grads, parents of mids or grads, or others who have some interest in or affiliation with USNA. We aren't paid anything and most of us have day jobs. That is not an excuse for not doing things well just an explanation that immediate response is not always possible. </p>

<p>We are typically assigned to schools. In populous areas, a BGO may have 1-3 schools; in less populous regions, a BGO may have to cover hundreds of square miles. We each have anywhere from 1 to 25 candidates per year (some BGOs may have more). Obviously, if you're the only candidate, a BGO has more time to spend with you than if he/she has lots of candidates.</p>

<p>BGOs are "assigned" candidates on June 1 through our on-line system. Candidates are added during the year. If you are an official candidate, your CGIS system will give you contact info for your BGO. If you're an underclassman, you can find typically out your BGO through your school guidance counselor. There is NO NEED to contact your BGO prior to your senior summer/year. If you have questions, feel free to contact your BGO. But don't do so just to "suck up." BGOs realize that some candidates have no questions and don't need much help in the process -- that is perfectly ok. Most of my successful candidates (and I have 4-8 every year) exchange emails re the interview, meet me once, and that's it. And that is fine. </p>

<p>For privacy reasons, BGOs are given relatively limited info about a candidate. We do NOT see everything you send to USNA. We know whether you attended NASS, your SAT/ACT scores, and the status of your packet (which items have been completed). We know your medical status (qualified, incomplete, rejected) but nothing more about it. We do NOT see your teacher recs, your personal statement, your interest inventory, etc. Thus, when we ask questions about what you do at school and outside of it, we genuinely want to know.</p>

<p>Most BGOs contact their candidates during the summer. I use email. Some call on the phone. I introduce myself and tell them I'm a resource for questions. Some email me back right away; some never do. </p>

<p>The major interface with BGOs is the interview. BGOs are not required to conduct the interview until the candidate has 1/3 of his/her package completed. Some do it earlier, some later. If a candidate requests an interview before the package is 1/3 complete, I'll usually do it. If a candidate reaches that threshold and hasn't contacted me about the interview, I'll contact him/her. I typically do the interviews at my house; many BGOs go to the candidate's home.</p>

<p>I prefer to talk to the candidate alone. I'm fine with meeting parents before and after but find that, other than occasionally driving, it is the rare parent who actually intrudes on the interview (regardless of where it is conducted). If you're a parent, stay away UNLESS you have questions for the BGO. </p>

<p>There is no script BGOs have to use for interviews. There are certain topics we must cover and those have been previously described in this forum. Other than that, it's up to us. Thus, the fact that your friend had certain questions from his BGO doesn't mean you'll get the same ones. Relax, be honest, and you'll be fine. It's a dialogue, not an inquisition.</p>

<p>We fill out an interview form after the interview. We do NOT typically talk to the USNA admissions officers -- in 8 years, I NEVER have done so other than one very unique situation (a candidate who repeatedly lied to me). There are very few stupid questions. Some candidates do use me as a resource, such as to strategize about noms or how to reapply. I've had calls from parents upset b/c their kid didn't get a nom and I try to ease their fears. However, as noted above, I personally do not care if the candidate never again speaks to me. </p>

<p>I personally do not send candidates reminders about deadlines, etc. I figure that if they don't care enough to find out this information and meet deadlines, they're doomed b/c at USNA I won't be there to remind them. I typically do send emails of congrats when they get noms, when they are offered an appointment, when they accept, etc. And, if their school has an awards ceremony at year's end, I will show up to present their appointment certificates.</p>

<p>As I tell my candidates, we learn about appointments about a week after they do. We don't get any heads up. We don't get an explanation as to why a candidate is rejected (although we can ask). However, experienced BGOs typically have a good idea why an appointment wasn't forthcoming. We can also provide guidance on what more a candidate CAN do -- like retake SATs. However, it is only our personal advice -- we are not passing on info from CGO.</p>

<p>There is no mystery to the process. You should NEVER fear your BGO. Yes, we do interview write-ups. But in the 8 years I've been doing this (and handled well over 150 candidates), I think I've only given "bad" writeups to 3 -- and each really deserved it. We are here to help -- and the benefits in talking to us can be great.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. I'm happy to answer any questions.</p>

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<p>With all background, training, and guidelines - you would think BGOs would be very similar in how they interact with prospects and candidates. However, I liken it to the student population of MIDs -- there will always be differences in expectations, knowledge, and performance. I have yet to meet a BGO that hasn't truly believed in and supported the Academy and want nothing but the best candidates to continue its high caliber. </p>

<p>There are obvious (to me) differences in a BGO who may be a parent who has never attended the Academy personally versus an alumni who has first-hand knowledge. None of those differences has proven to me good or bad (or make any difference on the liklihood of a candidate to be refused or get in). Both are professional. Sometimes the BGO has a specific background that can offer a personal perspective to be able to be able to answer questions from personal knowledge, such as in the areas of diversity, life as a female MID, overseas families, or playing in a varsity sport while being a MID. </p>

<p>My MIDs BGO was heavily in the loop with us and admissions. (We rarely had two weeks go by for months when someone wasn't calling someone.) But, my MID was coming in with very unusual circumstances. Other MIDs in our area (when they got together and talked)couldn't even remember the name of their BGO. </p>

<p>Some BGOs do a lot more than interview - and work a lot with schools, career nights, publicity. Some do very little of that. A lot depends upon the area they serve and how many BGOs are in the area and what their time allows.</p>

<p>I liked what AF6872 said "they are facilitators" -- I have never seen a BGO as the "anti person" to a candidate. (There may be one or two out there, but I haven't heard any say "gee, I don't want that person in" -- never anything personal like that.) They are there for the school and the candidate. They have a pretty good idea who will be successful (not always foolproof, I'm sure) and for the sake of the candidate may realize before that candidate realizes that the match would not be a good candidate or fit in perfectly. (I'm thinking off-hand of the candidate who wants to go to the Academy and keeps saying "my parents really would be happy if I get accepted" versus "this is what I really want." .... not to say parents won't be happy, too - but you can hear a difference over the course of a talk.)</p>

<p>"Certification" - usually a request from the school, letter of support from the regional, open book exam (which was detailed), training over summer, continual online communciation and procedures that need to be followed, and repeat certification every 5 years. I may be forgetting something.</p>

<p>There is a definite Interview Guide - and good guidelines on keeping things non-judgmental in regards to typical stereotypes, biases, or other influences. (I've seen far more respectful and "fair-er" BGOs than I have seen traditional admission officers at prestigious universities, which I have worked with both.) A portion of the interview is actually to be discussing the admission process and the Academy (both for the parents, if they want, and candidate). I would say to any candidate - Ask questions if you have questions. Don't sit there and wonder about something a BGO tells you about the school. LOL - a lot military terms that they forget that not everyone knows. They don't expect you to know everything. Then - they will find about about the candidate. (I would say "What are things about you that doesn't make it on school records and paper forms?") Then, there are an abudance of questions that can be used to ascertain a candidates true interest in and potential for the Academy. There is no way to ask all the questions - and you shouldn't need to. They depend upon the candidate and the BGO. I have my questions that I know give me a good idea; others have theirs - but it's a standardized process. Generally, they will all hit different areas. If one area may seem weak in a candidate (or unrealistically strong, or not exactly fitting what is being read from schoolwork), the BGO may ask several more questions in that area to really get a good idea. The BGO is going to write supporting statements in various areas to support their overall rank of the candidate - often giving very specific examples. It's not opinions but facts.</p>

<p>I'd look as a BGO as a great resource - "a facilitator" - who is not going to be the one who knows everything - LOL, though I swear a lot of them probably do! What they don't know, they will find out for you. They aren't going to (or shouldn't) give you their opinion on a specific case, but they can give you statistics and odds in the past. They're not trying to be vague - as truly there are different things candidates bring, and that's the admissions' office to balance out the class. (The BGO rarely gets the big picture of the class while its forming.)</p>