<p>Yeah what are they going to ask me?</p>
<p>They will ask you about leadership positions, what you think is best in a leader, things along those lines, then about your goals, long and short term, if you plan to go career, and things like that, be prepared to talk enthusiastically about how the naval academy will change and make you better.</p>
<p>Wish I had this info before my son's interview (although I'm sure he did fine). Maybe some folks can still benefit from some insight.</p>
<p>a. Physical Appearance - Prepare word pictures of the candidates appearance such as:
handshake dress bearing voice quality
grooming and dress poise and confidence
complexion self-consciousness
build (stocky, slender) carriage and posture
facial expressions (smile, etc.) mannerisms</p>
<p>b. Personality and Character - Prepare word pictures of the candidates personality and character. Possible descriptive adjectives/nouns:
enthusiastic friendly opportunistic
anxious dependable outgoing
arrogant direct passive
committed earnest people-oriented
competent goal-oriented persuasive
charismatic gregarious proactive
competitive highly stressed resourceful
confident impatient respectful
cooperative impulsive self-conscious
courage inspiring self-starter
creative intelligent sense of humor
critical likeable unsure
decisive mature well-rounded</p>
<p>Concept
The practice of evaluating past behavior as an indicator of future performance is well recognized. One way to attempt to predict how a candidate will perform at the Naval Academy is to examine what he or she has done in areas relevant to successful performance at the Academy.
Six major categories of behavior have shown potential for predicting success: interest and motivation to attend, leadership potential, responsibilities undertaken, organization of tasks and activities, physical fitness, and oral communications skills.</p>
<p>Typical questions probing a candidates strengths and weaknesses in these six areas are provided in individual sections below. In asking these questions, you will be seeking examples of what the candidate has done or how he or she behaved with respect to these areas.</p>
<p> What is your feeling about the Naval Academy Prep School or Naval Academy Foundation? Would you consider them as a possible alternative? [Mandatory Item]</p>
<p> What possible career option do you think you might pursue? [Mandatory Item]
Surface Warfare
Submarine
Marine Corps
Aviation
Other
Which USNA academic programs are you interested in? [Mandatory Item]
Engineering
Math/Science
Humanities/Social Sciences
What do you know about the curriculum at the Academy? Are you aware of the limited number of academic majors offered? [Mandatory Item]</p>
<p> Have you applied for an NROTC scholarship at these schools? [Mandatory Item]
Tell me about the Naval Academys Honor Concept? [Mandatory Item]</p>
<p> What have you heard about Plebe year? [Mandatory Item]</p>
<p>WoW4201- it would be prudent to read the USNA catalogue before your interview(s), as well as the Smallwood book: Candidates Guide to the USNA....go in prepared for where you are headed....do your homework.</p>
<p>Think about why YOU want a career as a naval officer- and why you think the academy will help you to realize that....and be able to express your reasons clearly. If it is your goal, then you should also be prepared to explain other routes you are considering to get you to the same outcome. Above all else, make sure this is YOUR desire/wish/dream/goal, not someone else's....you will be the one going through 4 years at the bay, and it can be a very long journey, especially if it's not the road you want to be on. No doubt you have already given this lots of thought, so being able to express that would be helpful. </p>
<p>"An officer and a gentleman," leader and a follower.....that is where you are headed, so start now....haircut, neat, confident, well groomed, shoes shined, jacket and tie, and a good handshake....(practice that if you have not already done so)....and remember, the "eyes are the window to the soul," so don't be afraid to make good eye contact and let them see what's in yours! A smile goes a long way too, so don't forget that...as well as a "thankyou for your time and consideration" when it is all over.</p>
<p>Get a good night's rest the night before, and be sure to eat something soothing before your interview....no need to have the sound of a gurgling stomach get in the way of a good answer! Keep feet flat on the floor, and good posture in sitting up straight is a "good thing..." somehow it keeps you more attentive and makes listening easier.</p>
<p>Remember above all else- "to thy own self be true"....be yourself....there is no magic formula for getting in, and you need to make sure the academy is as good a "fit" for you as you are for the academy. In this regard, be honest, direct, polite, forthcoming and respectful.....and be yourself; you want the academy to want "you," not some "made-up you" that does not exist beyond the doors of the interview. </p>
<p>Last, speak up about what you have accomplished, and take pride in what you have done to get to this point- leave ego and any trace of arrogance parked at the door, there is no room for it here or going foreward for that matter....and a little humility goes a long way. Have a question ready if asked....a genuine question on something you wish to know to help in your decision, something that can't be answered (or should have been answered) by reading the catalogue. </p>
<p>Best of luck~ trust that if you have what they are looking for as they put the class of 2010 together (and even the class of 2011), they will find it, and do let us know how you make out!</p>
<p>ahhh i appreciate all this info so much but alas my interview is so soon!!!!</p>
<p>Then get to bed and be well rested- just be yourself- the rest will come. While it is true you only have one chance to make a first impression, the fact that you have brought yourself to this point, in itself, speaks volumes. Best of luck!</p>
<p>smile...relax...be yourself...look him in the eyes...firm handshake...YES SIR...dress as if you were going to an interview for your life...laugh when appropriate...don't be afraid to "toot your own horn" (brag), he can't tell what your achievements are just by looking at you...use common sense...</p>
<p>my first interview was 3 hours long...my BGO flew the A-6 in the first Gulf War...it was two hours of sea stories, followed by a relaxed conversation about the Academy and questions. I had a good time and left feeling like I made a good impression. Turns out I did...he later told me I was his only 5%er. </p>
<p>Wasn't enough to get me an appointment, but in my second interview a few weeks ago he told me he was going to give me the same review.</p>
<p>Just go in there with your game face on..."Eye of the Tiger"</p>
<p>ok so today was the "interview" lol i find out its just where the rep asks me if i have any questions. I was so nervous too! But now Im fine and I will definitely plan for the REAL interview.</p>
<p>If possible, find somebody to give you a pre-interview. My dad arranged with a Colonel (Class of 62) to give me an interview the day before. It helped immensely. My BGO gave me the highest rating.</p>
<p>Rosa</p>
<p>The BGO interview we went through was as a family which really surprised us. Our daughter had been in touch with him ever since her freshman year - emailing him pretty regularly through it all. </p>
<p>In March of her Junior year - he suggested her parents and she come to his home to meet his family and visit. </p>
<p>As we began to visit it dawned on me that this was really 'the interview'. The BGO talked with our daughter for the first time face to face - and they acted like old friends who knew each other - mostly because she HAD been in touch with him for over 2 1/2 years.</p>
<p>We parents decided to keep our mouths shut, unless a specific question was asked of us - which - only looking back over that visit - was probably the best tact we could have taken. Clearly even though we are USNA '72 - this desire to become a Marine Officer and attend USNA is our daughter's choice - not her parents. That became clear as she passionately talked about her goals for college.</p>
<p>I am a pretty good reader of people and body language and I could tell he really liked the answers our daughter was giving and that this 'visit' was just to validate what he had already discerned was the truth about this eager female candidate for the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>We left after about 90 minutes - grateful for the opportunity to put a face to the name of a person who we knew had had a big influence on our daughter, and who would be a critical part of the acceptance process for her in the months ahead. It was also good to meet this person and see him as a husband, father, with his own children and the many involvements in sports/church/school, etc. like all families. My admiration of him personally and the work of all the volunteer BGO's grew tremendously. He is currently a pilot for Delta Airlines.</p>
<p>And as it turned out - the BGO called Janell in July for a few questions, but basically told her he had everything he needed to submit the interview, which he did quite early. </p>
<p>I talked to him a few weeks ago, when Janell excitedly told him about her LOA - He mentioned to me that he may be losing his job since Delta is in financial trouble.</p>
<p>So if you are so inclined - say a prayer for this man and his family and his job situation. He's a teriffic guy.</p>
<p>God's blessings to all the rest of the Candidates going through BGO inteviews - may you have as positive an experience as we did.</p>
<p>I'm chiming in here mostly to provide some reassurance to those of you who may have (or may have already had) a less robust experience with your BGO. I've observed this in two different years -- both resulting in successful appointments to USNA. One year (high school student) had a 15 minute solo interview at the BGO's house. The major focus of the interview appeared to be to assure the BGO that the decision to apply was the student's and not influenced by the parent's desires. The second (college student) was a 15 minute phone call, primarily focused on how seriously the student would take an offer of appointment (in other words, to assure that the draw of all the freedoms experienced in civilian college wouldn't negate their desire for the Academy should the appointment come through 6 months later.) Both of the above are from a very competitive state, so I don't think its an issue of how many applicants are in play. I'm not suggesting there is a right or wrong type of interview, just that the differences do not necessarily reflect on the candidate's potential for appointment.</p>
<p>I think this is worth repeating- the BGO can, and often is, the candidate's best asset going though this process. Contact early, contact often, and be sure to give them every opportunity to learn who you are.</p>
<p>Peskemom- we had a similiar expereince- over 2 years of contact, and when it came time for the interview it was a relatively comfortable experience. The BGO (a lawyer in our case) had long since "sized up" the torpeodo and had the answers - just a final validation in the end- and as a parent, I cannot state enough how appreciative we were of the time and effort he took to get to really know our son.....truely the "gold" in the "BGO"!!</p>
<p>I know its hard to say because you probably all have different representaives than me but what kinds of questions were you asked for the interview for the congressional nomination? I have my interview this friday.</p>
<p>In my nomination interview, they asked me to tell them about myself, alot of questions about leadership, and some things I had on my resume. Also what my academic and career interests were.</p>
<p>The big question usually is "Why do you want to go to the Academy?" Another one is "Why should we pick you as opposed to other candidates?" Good luck.</p>
<p>Just a tip. When they ask you 'why do you want to go to the academy?' Be sure you understand that the ultimate goal isn't just to attend USNA. It is to become a Naval/Marine officer and to lead people in the U.S. Military. It's OK to mention that you want to go, but don't leave out that you want to serve afterwards. Remember, don't just think short term. </p>
<p>(A former BGO gave me this advice)</p>
<p>Hope it helps,</p>
<p>Aaron Rosa</p>
<p>Make sure you want to go to the Naval Academy for the right reasons. If its for any reason besides to lead men and women into combat then you should probably think twice. Even though it provides great opportunities this is what the B&G officer wants to hear, but if you say this make sure you mean this, becasue men and womens lives will be in your hands in 4 short years.</p>
<p>Got a quick question. I'm having my first congressional interview tomorrow and I was wondering what I have to bring other than myself. I know my parents can't be there but I didn't know if they expect me to bring a resume or something.</p>
<p>I don't think a resume would be necessary. The will have copies of everything you sent in already. You can bring your parents along for moral support although they will not sit in on the interview of course. Good luck.</p>
<p>In reply to NAPS 06, I wouldn't worry about what people want to hear. Rather, speak from your heart -- whether it is the BGO interview or congressional interview. </p>
<p>I'm a BGO and there is no one "right" answer for "why do you want to go to the Academy." However, after doing lots & lots of interviews, I can sense when a candidate is simply saying what he/she thinks I want to hear vs. what they really feel. And that doesn't impress me.</p>
<p>As someone said on this thread, you have to have personal reasons for going to USNA and wanting to serve in the USN or USMC. No matter how talented you are, there are always bad days. Something has to get you through those and it can't be someone else's dreams or idea.</p>