<p>When would be the best time start contacting my BGO? Right now I'm a Junior and I've made it into the NASS. Should I start contacting him now, after the SS, or when? Also, what is the best way to contact him? Phone, email, letter, etc? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I would suggest contacting your BGO during your junior year. Your BGO will answer any questions you may have as to the admission and nomination application process and will, during your senior year and providing you have an official candidate number, complete your interview.</p>
<p>having said that- if you are in 9th or 10th grade and USNA is on your radar, it never hurts to contact your BGO. While it is way too early to start the application process, your BGO will be able to guide you as to what classes you will need, activities, sports, etc. A common mistake is for kids to start their senior year, get interested in USNA, and be behind the curve in terms of having the preferred coursework completed, or light on the physical / sport / leadership end of things. </p>
<p>First contact: this will sound out-dated, but a written or typed letter sent by snail mail would make the right impression If you want to follow the crowd, then send an email. But a letter states you have taken the time to write one- it is that important to you to make the best “first impression.” It does matter!</p>
<p>when you do contact your BGO, let him/her know you have attended NASS and SS- both speak to motivation and interest. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Well, well, welll . . . . all the old warhorses are re-surfacing.</p>
<p>I disagree. As a BGO, there is not much I can tell a Junior in high school that probably don’t already know. Good grades. Good attitude. Stay out of trouble. Concentrate on Math/Science. Leadership!
AFTER you come back from NASS, if you are still interested and if you have a specific questio or two, it does nto hurt to send me an email.
Its just me, but I don’t really want to talk to you at this stage. Email is just fine.</p>
<p>In AUG or SEPT of your senior year, I will contact you to introduce my self and explain a bit of the process.
I will tel you that we need to schedule an interview.</p>
<p>Usually, sometime in OCT or NOV, I do my interviews. About this same time, you should be scheduling congressional interviews, etc.</p>
<p>If you have a specific question, I am always available to answer those. But the answers are always the same: Do the best you can. Concentrate on Math/Science. Leadership. Sports or other organized activity. Good Grades. Good Citizen. Be good!</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Suffice saying, this is NOT the MO of most BGOs. Thankfully. But some require ring-kissing, even if it’s from Slippery Rock. Get a 3rd opinion on this one, for sure.</p>
<p>well it seems much depends on which BGO you get.</p>
<p>I can only speak for my end of things-
I attend as many college nights as I can accommodate, and those are not limited to a specific grade although the majority that attend are juniors and seniors.</p>
<p>Too often I am presented with a student who is interested, although at that point may or may not have the items needed in terms of courses, leadership, ECAs, sports, etc. There are some guidance departments that do a great job at this, most I find do not.</p>
<p>So-
I welcome the inquiry from anyone who is interested- and hopefully that includes 9th graders who can adjust their course accordingly if USNA is on the radar. I also have had the opportunity to meet with 7th and 8th graders - a great opportunity to alert them to opportunities at USNA, including STEM. Rising juniors- to alert them to NASS in Feb of their junior year. </p>
<p>So my advice stands to anyone interested in USNA.
You don’t know what BGO you will get, nor the level of their involvement.
From the posts above, it appears some don’t want to know about you until you name appears on their roster and they contact you.</p>
<p>In my case, the door is always open.</p>
<p>Contact your BGO.
Written letter as way of introduction.
Email if you are opposed to the letter.</p>
<p>[in my case, if I get either I will start a file on you- no matter when it is sent].</p>
<p>it is not a matter of ring kissing [some things never change WP]
It is a matter of getting your name on my radar screen-
it lets me know you are interested
it lets me know you are planning ahead, thinking ahead, not some last-minute-“I think I’ll apply to USNA today” thing.
It allows me to help you.</p>
<p>or-
you can wait, do your preliminary application, and wait until your name gets on the BGO list from USNA. And then contact, or in some cases, wait to be contacted.</p>
<p>Up to you.</p>
<p>Well I had a written letter ready to be sent to my BGO then things changed yesterday. I went to the Academy Day at my MOC’s office and actually met my BGO as he was USNA’s rep for the presentation. Very helpful in answering questions and was a very nice guy. He told me to contact him after NASS.</p>
<p>Perfect!</p>
<p>best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Exactly. After NASS, you will know so much more about what it is all about.</p>
<p>Not to say I wouldn’t respond to ANY inquiry sent my way. I absolutely would. Its just that there is not much advice [other than good grades, science, math, etc.] that I can tell a very young person, i.e. a9th or 10th grader.</p>
<p>With internet service, there is SO much information out there about athe Academy, anybody with a bit of determination can divine many answers for themselves.</p>
<p>Sent my BGO just a quick follow-up/thank you e-mail and let him know I’d keep in contact following NASS.</p>
<p>Question about Blue and Gold officer interview. My son had his interview months ago and (July 25th). On his application status on-line, the date of the interview is listed as July 23rd, two days BEFORE the interview ever took place. The problem with this might not be a big deal, but the Blue and Gold officer’s child has been appointed to USNA recently and was in competition with my son for the appointment (same district). Could there be a conflict of interest? Normally, doesn’t it take at least a week after the interview for it to be recorded? Just kind of bothers me, I guess.</p>
<p>I can tell you that in many districts, if a BGO child is applying that BGO is taken out of the cycle for that year. No interviews and another BGO will interview the BGO’s child. For precisely the reasons you state.</p>
<p>Now, do BGO children have sort of an inherent advantage? Probably, we can advise them on the process and sort of what to expect. On the other hand, I’m not sure I could tell my child anything more than could be found out on this site.</p>