<p>I'm a Junior in High School, and I will be applying for the Summer Seminar in February for the Class of 2011. When should I contact my BGO and how?... call, e-mail, visit?</p>
<p>I've always heard the earlier the contact the better, but you could probably wait a few more months. It's definately best to call though, I'm sure of that. It's more personal than an E-mail, and a visit would be a little too personal. A phone call is perfect.</p>
<p>Our daughter has been in touch with her BGO since Freshman year - she was that sure of her college plans even then to apply to USNA. She would tell him her grades, her Soph year class rank and PSAT scores, etc. ...and continued a conversation via email all through these years. By the time she was in junior year it was pretty clear to the guy that this was one serious candidate. He called us over to his home in March for a visit ....which turned out to be the interview. He was able to file that interview in August before he did anyone else's- since he had gotten to know us very well.</p>
<p>So if your BGO is a communicative type- I would encourage you to start a dialog as soon as possible.</p>
<p>I have just found my BGO from the USNA website, but he only lists his e-mail and not his phone number. Does this mean he only accepts e-mails or is there another way to get his phone number?</p>
<p>i called my BGO in may of my sophomore year; basically just an introduction, since the hard-core stuff hasn't come yet. </p>
<p>i found out his name through the USNA website, where, if i remember correctly, was only listed his email; afterwards, i did a little research which produced the correct number. </p>
<p>but it was google, so i had to try a few times.</p>
<p>good luck though</p>
<p>BGO's are real people with lives/jobs, etc. It makes alot of sense that many of them use email as their first line of contact. Imagine the phone calls they might get, if they live in a place like we do, So. Calif. just for inquiries that can be handled on the websites.</p>
<p>So since you have an email - that's great - just email the person and you've begun communication! :-)</p>
<p>The best way for you to get your BGO's contact information is through your high school guidance counselor (GC). One of the BGO's primary duties is to maintain close relationships with their assigned high schools' GC's. If you simply inform your GC that you are interested in applying to USNA, he will not only give you the BGO's contact info, he will likely immediately contact the BGO with your stats and his opinion of your prospect for appointment.</p>
<p>The USNA website only lists the regional directors (manager of many BGO's in his area). The regional directors do have some direct area assignment also in most cases. Your HS GC or the BGO Regional Director can provide your BGO contact info. Of course if you want some sort of annonymity from them (don't know why or what would be gained) you could call USNA guidance directly for your GC's contact info also. Again, they are assigned by High School normally.</p>
<p>As a BGO, my suggestion about when you contact your BGO depends on what you want to talk about. If you have specific questions about USNA or want more information on what courses you should take senior year, etc., feel free to contact any time. If you're asking about contacting your BGO to set up an interview or just to make contact, you're better off waiting until you have a candidate number. </p>
<p>I prefer emails because of the flexibility they offer. At work, it's not always easy for me to answer a call right away. However, I'm also open to setting up calls at a mutually convenient time.</p>
<p>Know that your BGO's primary concern is with current seniors who are applying and need interviews, etc. Some BGOs have very few candidates whereas others may have more than 20. And, as someone above pointed out, many of us have real jobs as well. Thus, don't be discouraged if your BGO doesn't have as much time to spend with you right now as you might like. Be persistent.</p>
<p>Welcome to the forum USNA1985. Hopefully you'll stay around to let us pick your brain and keep some mistakes from being made. Without identifying yourself too much can you give us some of your background and how your time at the USNA and afterwords has been?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>I'm a female '85 grad. Spent 8+ yrs on active duty. Got out and went to law school. Currently in private practice. Have been a BGO for four years in northern VA. What else can I tell you?</p>
<p>Thanks for the info USNA1985. How was the academy for a woman back in the early 80's? My daughter is working towards class of 2011, and we know there have been many changes since you were there.</p>
<p>Our BGO is a retired Captain and local district Judge and has been just awesome so far. I believe he may be the head BGO for the entire area or state so "the Cat" may have her interview with someone more local, but so far he's been very helpful.</p>
<p>Things obviously were different 20+ yrs ago in many ways. However, it's difficult to explain how "things were" at the time b/c that was my only frame of reference. For me, the hardest things were: (1) constantly being required to justify my presence at USNA -- i.e., why should women be there, and (2) convincing people that you could be feminine and still be a mid. </p>
<p>The weight issue was tough at the time. They had yet to realize that, no matter how much/hard you work out, the average woman cannot eat 6,000 calories a day and not gain weight. I know that, now, they offer all mids "healthier" food choices.</p>
<p>At the time, women were not allowed in combat. I'm not sure how this change has affected things at all of the academies, but I have to believe it has been a positive development. </p>
<p>Glad that your BGO is helpful. There are so many resources out there now (including this board) that I sometimes wonder if I serve as much of a resource. </p>
<p>Please feel free to ask questions. I'll do my best to answer them.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info USNA1985. I've also heard that the Academies now have a little healthier attitude towards food and calories. "The Cat" so far hasn't had to worry about her weight, she's one of those lucky ones whos seem to stay the same no matter what they eat. I'm going to start a new thread about this issue though, it would be interesting to see what the mids now think of the food.</p>
<p>Back to top...</p>