<p>How important is the BGO interview? </p>
<p>If you do really well, can it really help?
If you do really bad, can it really hurt you?</p>
<p>Does anyone know how important the interview is?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>During my son's interview (it was with an ALO, which is USAFA's equivalent), the ALO spoke to us (the parents) and told us that his input had about a "20%" impact. I found that to be pretty significant. It clearly can be something that eliminates you, especially if they determine that the candidate's motive for going is parent-based, and the ALO said as much. The positive aspect can surely put a boarderline candidate over the top. So overall, IMO, I would say that a bad interview can eliminate you but a good interview will only have a limited impact.</p>
<p>From what I know, the interview holds a good deal of weight. If he gives you a bad write-up, the admissions board will look at it and say "well, he's actually met the candidate (in adition to seeing his other qualifications in the app packet), and has an idea as to who he is. He probably knows what he's talking about." That's the role of the BGO. He does have the option of putting "Not Recommended," just as much as he does "Top 10%."</p>
<p>I would suggest just keeping in contact with him after the interview as well, calling once every two weeks or so with a few updates, and possible a few questions. This will show him that you are motivated and dedicated.</p>
<p>I would like to say more, but I have to get to drill.</p>
<p>I try to keep in touch with my BGO.</p>
<p>I've met with him about 3 times, I've sent updates to him.</p>
<p>I only asked this question because he informed me that he ranked me in the top 5%, and I wanted to know whether or not this will help my application.</p>
<p>Are you asking if you NEED an interview? Because that is an essential part of your application to any Academy.</p>
<p>Our BGO must have had a significant part of our daughter's interview process..since he did the interview very early ( like March )and had the results in by the end of July and kept calling Admissions to see if she got an LOA - and once she did called to say how thrilled he was and that he expected it from the beginning. So clearly he was being more than a disinterested observer on this process.</p>
<p>So please continue to check with your BGO. Remember - these are volunteers with their own lives, families, committments. They do this BGO stuff for love of the Academy. Ours is a Delta pilot who is gone for days at a time. We don't always hear immediately back from him.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>Ours explained that they "can't get you in, but can keep you out". He later told my dd that he gave her highest rating possible! He's been great---sends little stuff now and then, very encouraging. I think my dd's LOA is directly related to his evaluation...</p>
<p>Last year my BGO told me I was his only 5%er for his area (just north of Houston, TX). Along with his rating and all my qualifications, he thought I was gonna get the appointment, but in the end, I was turned down.</p>
<p>Just shows how competetive the whole process is.</p>
<p>DMeix- I can't remember did you try again?</p>
<p>Roger.</p>
<p>I recently got my 1st semester college transcript to the Academy. My BGO told me they weren't going to look at my packet until I got it in. He expects it'll go before the board this month.</p>
<p>He's been giving me all good news concerning my status...both he and the Area Coordinator really want to see me get in, so I'm gettin' pretty excited.</p>
<p>Good to hear... best of luck with that! Please let me know how it turns out.</p>
<p>Im a junior now and I will be applying for NASS Feb 1. Should I contact my BGO before I apply for NASS or is it way to early in the process? If I don't really have any specific questions for him or an urgent need to contact him should i wait till before the interview or meet him and introduce myself soon? When have you first made contact with your BGO?</p>
<p>The BGO interview is very important- as is each part of the application. A top 5% rating is excellent- congratulations! It can only help!</p>
<p>I envy all of you. My ALO hasn't returned my correspondence and only called once to set up our interview. He's left me completely out of the loop. But its up to the Academy now.</p>
<p>Hornet- thats kinda how it was with my BGO, dont worry about it. I think its just different with all of them. Good luck!</p>
<p>To the post about contacting your bgo early, there can't be any harm in it, if you do, just let him know that u are highly interested(sp), one of the ladies on here i think had been in contact with her bgo for a number of years so that when the time came for the actual interview, he knew her through and through, and he knew how motivated and dedicated she really was...so i guess go for it... especially scince you should be starting your application by the time NASS roles around...have fun and stick it through, the process is mostly paper work, stats, and dedication/motivation. And def apply to all nomination sources...</p>
<p>Andrew-2010</p>
<p>rockorblowup....
my daughter was so convinced she wanted to go USNA from 8th grade on, that in her freshman year she started emailing our BGO. She sent him regular updates about her schooling, sports, personal goals, etc. He would respond casually, or course...but as freshman year progressed to sophomore, then junior...the BGO realized this was in his words: "The most motivated candidate I have ever known"....</p>
<p>So in our book there is never a 'too early' time to make a contact with the BGO.</p>
<p>rockorblowup: I would like to second the advice given by peskemom: it is never too early to contact your BGO expressing your interest in USNA- in fact, an early contact allows the BGO extra time to get to know you, which can only help. </p>
<p>Our son made the initial contact just prior to starting junior year, which turned out to be a very reasonable time frame. Over the ensuing months/year, his BGO got to know our son very well- came to watch a lax game- spoke at the senior awards day- and even came to his graduation party. I have read that the bond between the BGO and candidate can be a "golden one," and in our son's case it certainly was and continues to be. </p>
<p>When our son graduated, his BGO gave him a copy of John McCains book, with some personal words of wisdom from an "old Marine graduate"...he also received a Christmas card sent to his foundation school this year, even though his "official" BGO has changed to the head of the foundation- but just goes to show what an asset the BGO can be- our son was very, very fortunate to have a BGO that took a lot of time and interest in really getting to know him and "what floats his boat" (which, being a busy lawyer himself, must not have been an easy thing to do)! So make that call!</p>