<p>I've heard that you should contact them them during the summer of your sophmore year I've also heard to contact them during your junior year right before your preliminary application and I've also heard to turn in your preliminary application before you first contact them. Especially for you BGOs out there, when would you like an applicant to first contact you?</p>
<p>You can contact your BGO at any time. Some people feel it makes a positive impression if you start reaching out to him/her as early as your freshman year. Personally, it makes no difference to me (as a BGO) if someone waits until they are an official candidate to contact me or even waits for me to contact them. </p>
<p>My suggestion is that, if you have questions about USNA, courses you should take in h.s., what it takes to get in, sports, NASS, etc., feel free to contact your BGO at any time. That's what we're here for. If you don't have questions, wait until you do or until your senior year. </p>
<p>A couple of things to remember. BGOs are all volunteers. We do the job because we enjoy working with talented young people, want to give something back to USNA, etc. However, many of us have real day jobs. And, we tend to focus on current seniors who need interviews, etc. So, if you send an email or call and don't get an immediate reply, don't assume the BGO isn't interested. Perservere.</p>
<p>One other thing -- some BGOs won't conduct interviews until a candidate has a reasonable percentage of his/her packet submitted. The reason, BTW, is that some candidates never turn in their packets and BGOs don't want to waste time on someone who isn't interested. I tend to look for about 33% to be complete before I reach out to a candidate. However, if a candidate with less submitted contacts me, I'll always do the interview.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Prior to their senior year, I prefer to have people contact me if/when they have questions. Beginning June 1 of your senior year, feel free to contact your BGO at any time to introduce yourself, request an interview, etc.</p>
<p>thanks im probably going to try to contact my BGO at the end of my junior year after I've started my application. Again, thanks.</p>
<p>My son contacted his BGO in his freshman year. While nothing was official, his BGO arranged for him to meet several midshipmen even then. He also went to the congressional info meetings and they got to know Jake. I certainly would contact BGO before the junior year for advise re: summer seminar etc...and applications for NROTC should be well underway during the junior year. RE: NROTC, we found that the early bird definitely catches the worm. Good luck!</p>