<p>I've been searching through this whole forum for a list of what to wear and things of that nature during interviews or meetups with BGOs or Admissions People. So I'd like to make a thread dedicated to it so that all the information will be collected on one thread for an easy find.</p>
<p>Plus, I have a meeting tomorrow with a ENS from the admissions team and was wondering what to wear and where to take him to eat. We decided that he would come to my house where I would drive him to a local restaurant. He isn't my BGO, but apparently might be a minority outreach officer.</p>
<p>I was thinking jeans, blazer and a nice shirt? Would converses with the whole outfit be appropriate?</p>
<p>Uh, no. For your BGO interview, I suggest pressed trousers, collared shirt and, depending on the weather, a jacket. If it's really hot, jacket not required. Women should wear the equivalent -- pressed slacks or a skirt and a collared shirt or dressy sweater. Do NOT wear jeans, warmup suits, tennis shoes, and the like. </p>
<p>For your nom interview, you should wear a coat and tie if you're a guy and the female equivalent (jacket, slacks/skirt and blouse/dressy sweater) if you're female. </p>
<p>It is better to dress up than dress down. This isn't gym class.</p>
<p>"Uh, no". In most parts of the US, BGOs don't stoop to evaluate candidates by their clothing. Perhaps Northern Virginia is more snobbish than we thought. Wear what you feel comfortable in. Do not go out and buy new clothes. You are fine.</p>
<p>Sorry, 69, I don't think asking someone to wear khakis and a collared shirt is "snobbish." As a BGO, I wouldn't wear shorts, jeans, workout clothes, or a T-shirt to the interview, so why should the candidate?</p>
<p>Some BGOs or MOC committees may be perfectly fine with very casual attire. But they may not be. Why chance it? Wearing pressed khakis and a collared polo shirt with non-gym shoes should not be a stretch for most people. I can't imagine anyone who needs to buy clothes to meet this "standard."</p>
<p>USNA1985 states it correctly.
Oftentimes, it may come down to minute differences between candidates. Excellent GPA, excellent extra-curriculars, excellent references . . . the only significant difference being the way one presented him/her self via dress, attitude, speech, enunciation . . . whatever.</p>
<p>THEN, depending upon who the BGO is, he/she may have an entirely different cultural reaction to something completely innocuous to the candidate, e.g. expensive sneakers as "representative" of everything that is wrong about youth today. </p>
<p>ONe does not wear "what you feel comfortable in" when in the military, going to to work, interviewing for jobs, going to weddings, funerals, or any of anumber of other occasions that call for a bit more formality.</p>
<p>If, for some reason, you can't afford a pair of khaki pants, then you are certainly encouraged to mention that to the BGO, e.g. "I have to apologize for the jeans--which should, n onetheless, be clean--but we simply can't afford any other pair of pants." Or, I guess, same applies to sneakers; if you can't afford loafers you can't afford it. Just explain that you understand the "standard" but can't meet it for some decent reason.</p>
<p>I don't htink you need to wear a suit or anything of that nature, but you sh ould at least make a reasonable effort.</p>
<p>From my perspective: I recently had my BGO interview and asked him when we set up the meeting what I should wear. He simply said, "Think of it as a job interview. Dress accordingly." So, in this case I thought it be best to put on my sunday clothes so to speak. He voiced his appreciation that I dressed up. It definitely makes you stick out, they'll remember you more I think.</p>
<p>When I spoke with my BGO in July he said he would contact me in August for my interview. Do I email or call to remind him or leave it in his hands????</p>
<p>This is a casual world. Go to a family restaurant on a weekend and see what the ‘family’ is wearing. Go to church on Sunday morning and see what the kids are wearing. Do the same on Monday afternoon in the parking lot of any high school. There are even sneakers worn at weddings and funerals. There is absolutely no guidance in any of the Academy literature addressing how to dress for an interview. The one to two percent who read this forum have a ‘standard’. The remainder do not. It is left to their judgment. I think we have seen plenty of examples on this forum where a teenagers judgment is not parallel to us older generation. The definition of appropriate dress across the economical social stratus of those wishing to attend a service academy is, without a doubt, far different than what I personally would envision. I must accept that.</p>
<p>As a BGO, in the manual, I am cautioned not to jump to conclusions; not to project personal attitudes, values, and beliefs; and not to allow my judgment to be colored by biases and stereotypes. By following these guidelines, certainly I have to respect the candidate’s judgment and not be prejudicial based on my ideals. Should the candidate beat me through the door by 5 minutes and still be in the clothing with which he left the football locker room, should I downgrade him for this clothing choice or upgrade him for making very efficient use of his time? The same would apply to a candidate who reeked of MacDonald’s grease.</p>
<p>While I am cautioned not to allow my biases and stereotypes to come through, I am counseled to place the candidate at ease and ensure that he is comfortable. Therefore, it is not a job interview and I am not to treat it as such. My priorities are completely different. Dress is important to comfort and ease. They will be comfortable in what they normally wear. They are not yet in the military. They should not be expected to wear a ‘uniform’. Sorry, I don’t buy your advice. And further, I feel that should you allow it to affect your evaluation, perhaps you should reevaluate your priorities more in line with what the Academy expects. And please, if you cannot afford a pair of khaki pants, don't feel that you should apologize. It will only make you further uncomfortable toward a BGO who should not really care.</p>
<p>69, perhaps all BGO's are not as seasoned or enlightened as you, and will not be as open minded for candidates they feel are "underdressed." In most situations in life it is better to be "overdressed." My son wore khakis and a dress shirt for the BGO interview. All other occassions, regardless of what others said, he wore his suit. When in doubt, dress up...makes you look real snazzy!</p>
<p>I agree with USNA69. The candidates should feel comfortable in their interview. After all, the interview is meant to really get to know and understand the candidate. Allowing these young people to wear what is best for them helps to achieve this. I have gone through this process three times now. Each time my child chose to wear a comfortable outfit that was very casual for the interview in our home. My only mandate was the clothes must be clean, untattered, and not from the bottom of the pile (i.e. wrinkled and knarly). Each time their wonderful personalities, maturity, and manners were self evident. Each received wonderful reports from their BGO.</p>
<p>mom3boys, perhaps the reason for my post was the seasoning and enlightenment of other BGOs. I really doubt that after this exchange, any candidate who read this would show up in anything less than khakis, a collared shirt, and dress shoes, even if he had to steal them or the $150 to go out an buy them.</p>
<p>If a candidate wears a suit, ensure that he feels comfortable in it. There is nothing more detracting than someone sitting there fidgeting with their collar, adjusting their tie, or yanking at their cuff to ensure that perfect 1/2".</p>
<p>It's funny, I wish I had CC before I had my BGO interview. The Captain seemed just fine coming to my house on a weeknight. I was still wearing the clothes that I wore to school that day, which were professional, but it wasn't a coat or tie or anything special. For the nominations, a dress shirt and tie will do fine, HAIRCUT, ironed pants and decent shoes. 69's right, this is a casual world, and even for noms, look professional, but don't think you have to dress up for prom.</p>
<p>For nomination by all means look professional. Remember there will be ROTC/JROTC kids in uniform etc, so you want to be on the same page. </p>
<p>The BGO interview hum... same page with USNA69. Also, from our Mids experience it would have been awkward to have "dressed up" as the interview was not conducted at home. The location, day and time lent itself to the casual side. (Coffee shop, Saturday, 9am) Take the lead from your BGO.</p>
<p>I'm going to wear business professional for BGO interview, but what SHOULD I wear with the admissions rep?</p>
<p>I live in California... to be more specific... Southern California, where fashion is essentially everywhere. I am honestly thinking of wearing a blazer and jeans with a nice shirt which is the 20 year old's version of a Friday Night out. (if I'm not mistaken.) </p>
<p>The question of making judgments based on appearance is a difficult one. I once had a candidate show up for an interview (at his home) in bare feet. Now, having seen this person's home, I don't for a minute believe he owned no shoes or socks. While he was probably "comfortable" in the interview, I was not.</p>
<p>Someone above asked for guidance on what to wear. I gave my opinion as an objective "standard" that people can follow. I did not mean to suggest it was the USNA/BGO standard or that failing to appear in these clothes would doom someone's interview. However, if I simply tell people to "be comfortable," some will wear a suit, others may not wear shoes or socks or show up in dirty, sweaty or ripped clothing. In my opinion, the latter is not appropriate for an interview; however, that is my opinion. </p>
<p>USNA69 is correct that there is NO standard in the BGO manual or otherwise. And, I also agree that, if you're not comfortable in a suit or jacket, don't wear one. </p>
<p>That said, the BGO/MOC interview is not entirely dissimilar from a job interview (although there are important differences). Often, your BGO or the MOC committee members may be coming directly from work and thus be dressed in work attire. So, coming in gym clothes may end up making you uncomfortable if the person across from you is wearing a suit. </p>
<p>Quite frankly, some of this depends on the time of day, location, weather, etc. This is your first impression and, in many cases, your only chance to make a personal impression. Exercise common sense.</p>
<p>However, should the BGO apologize for being overdressed by stating that he was coming directly from work, or some other similar reason, it should alleviate your uncomfortableness.</p>
