<p>I was wondering when I should contact my BGO to let him know I plan on trying to get in to the Academy. I am a junior now and thought it would be a good time.</p>
<p>-David</p>
<p>I don't see why you shouldn't contact your BGO. lol, maintain a relationship with your BGO and get him or her to like you. lol, I don't think mine likes me =(</p>
<p>I am a relatively new BGO--there are others lurking around here--so my observations are somewhat limited.</p>
<ol>
<li>BGOs are volunteers. As such, even though we have a significant interest in the USNA, you need to understand that we have other commitments that may--in fact, they often do--take prioriity over your application. While I understand this is the most important thing in your life at the moment, you should understand that the BGO has other life commitments that will take priority over y our application. Do not misinterpret this as a sign he/she does not "like" you.</li>
<li>Having said that, I encourage you to contact the BGO at some point when your interest in attending is growing beyond a mere curiosity. If you have a real interest in attending, then let the BGO know. However, don't expect much feedback until you have done your part, i.e. started filling out applications, submitting paperwork, etc. Beyond answering questions--that in many cases you could probably get answered on the internet--there simply isn't much to do until you are an official candidate. Do not misinterpret this as a sign that he/she does not "like" you.</li>
<li> I do not "like" or "dislike" any of the candidates I have met. I am not looking for a new friend and neither should you be. I want to assist the most qualified candidates through the application process, answers any questions I can, conduct the interviews, pat you on the back and send you on your way. So, if you are ready to apply, think you are reasonably qualified, ready to go forward, then, by all means, contact the BGO. If you are not, do not contact the BGO.
I will return your phone calls and respond to e-mails. Most likely, I wll not initiate telephone calls to you, ask you how your day is going, wonder how you are doing in Calculus, or, generally, speak to you as a friend. Do not misninterpret this as a sign that I do not like you.</li>
</ol>
<p>In other words, its not about "get[ing] him or her to like you," its about being the best qualified candidate you can be. Many, many candidates are appointed based solely on their one interview w/ the BGO, not having ever talked to the BGO prior to that day.</p>
<p>BGO's are provided an electronic list of candidates at the commencement of every admissions cycle. The Academy prepares this list by keeping track of individuals who have in the past expressed interest in attending. There are several ways that the Academy secures this information from individuals.</p>
<p>If you have never formally done so, you can easiliy do so at this website:</p>
<p>At the very least, you can be assured that the Academy will begin tracking you and notifying you of upcoming dates of interest.</p>
<p>Bill0510, thanks for the balanced, positive and informative post on BGO's. We have met several on our journey and each have different interests, philosophy and style of doing their job. But each one has a genuine desire to help each student in their region have the best possible opportunity to gain a nomination and appointment.</p>
<p>As usual, when I re-read a post, it is difficult to communicate how it sounds in my head.
Being a BGO is fun and I enjoy participating.
I also know how nervous we were during the application process and we did not know one thing about the process including what a BGO was.
We then find out a bit about this mysterious BGO person, in our case a retired Capt., trying to figure out what his role was.</p>
<p>As I have no interacted w/ many, many BGOs, I find they are like many of us. Generally, satisfied w/ life, sometimes grouchy ol' men, usually eager to help those who want to help themselves, etc., etc., etc. </p>
<p>I have no agenda for or against any applicant. I try very hard to report them as they come across to me. Eager? sometimes. Informed? Many times. Nervous? Frequently.
Just keep at it.
Stay in touch.</p>
<p>ah lol thanks for the words of encouragement!</p>
<p>Bill0510-
Congratulaions! You will make a great BGO!</p>
<p>As someone who's been a BGO for over 5 years, I can echo Bill0510's comments. For many candidates, my only contact with them is setting up and conducting the BGO interview. Many of those candidates go on to get appointments, needing or wanting nothing further from me -- and that's fine. </p>
<p>On the other end of the spectrum, there are a handful of candidates with whom I've met several times, with whom I've exchanged many emails or calls, and with whom I've kept in contact even after they enter USNA. It has nothing to do with whether I "like" the candidate -- it primarily depends on what he/she needs or wants from me. I'm not going to force myself on someone who feels confident proceeding with little assistance from me (and many do, successfully).</p>
<p>Also, as Bill said, BGOs do have lives outside of their USNA work (as opposed to USAFA and USMA liaisons who often are reserve officers doing this as a full-time or part-time job). I've interviewed/returned calls and emails days after my mother died, while placing my father in hospice care, while my husband was recovering from open heart surgery, while on the road for business, etc. I've found that most candidates have been great about working around my schedule and I do my best to accommodate theirs. </p>
<p>Some BGOs have many candidates (I usually have 12-20 per year) and some very few. Obviously, if you are only working with one student, it's easier to devote more time than if you're trying to juggle many more. </p>
<p>It's fine to contact your BGO prior to your senior year. Please note, however, that we are only given as official "candidates" students in their senior year in high school or beyond. Thus, don't expect your BGO to know you if you're not a senior. Also, our focus is on our official candidates -- in terms of doing interviews, answering their questions, etc. That said, I've worked with a number of students prior to their senior year. </p>
<p>In summary, it makes no difference to me (in terms of BGO evaluation) whether or not the candidate makes frequent contact or meets me only on the day of the interview. None whatsoever.</p>