That's funny Nikki, I'm told BDCP is the reason SWO is so locked up...
I agree with EODDave, I don't know much about the BDCP program or how the selection goes, but if they're anything like recruiters then at one point or another you may just find yourself sitting across from someone in Khakis trying to talk you into a job no one else wants. BDCP sounds like a great deal and I have yet to hear anyone complain about it but find out all about the obligation conditions less you find yourself with little to no choice after graduation.
As for the selection choices you put down, and far be it for me to disagree with Dave who does has Navy experience, but there has been a lot of talk about putting down only one choice lest you get stuck with another. I have to disagree with that rational based on my experience with selection. People read a lot into the process when it's really as simple as it sounds: monkeys throwing banana peels at each other. After med and pro-review board you go to community selection starting with your first choice. If you qualify, and those guys need a body to fill a hole, then they're probably going to take you, if not then they'll pass, but they most likely will not say: "Well she's qualified for our very undermanned community, but Joe down the hall needs people even more than we do so we'll let her go to their community and we'll just suffer 'cuz were nice guys." The selection board for a given community has a job to do and that's to fill their billets. Example: NFO is hurting much worse than pilot but pilot was my #1 choice the second time I submitted and NFO was #2, I was actually qualified for SNA the second time and SURPRISE they took me! To my knowledge there isn't some omnipotent one at CNRC sifting through app's sending them around to boards regardless of the preference indicated. I initially had a PBI of 3, a solid thumbs-down for SNA, nevertheless, that's where my app went first because that's where I wanted it to to go first!
Some other things to think about: when I was first rejected my app. automatically went down the hall TO EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY and of course, I did not ask for that! Also, I could not re-test or re-submit until they were all done looking at it which took months! On that note: quadruple check all the requirements for you 1'st choice and don't take anyone's word for it that your good, (like I did!) because if there's something the board is powerless to say no to (like a 3 PBI for SNA!) then you'll find your app' bouncing all over the place and since your obligated as a BDCP then you may get it you know where...just a thought...
Also, when you are selected then that community will MAKE YOU AN OFFER which you must accept in a written letter to them. You can always decline and re-submit for something else if you want. Sounds funny but the selection process isn't much different at all from getting a civilian job, you make the decision; don't forget that you're the one in the drivers seat! Just my $0.04 based on my experience, but again I'm not sure about BDCP selection.
Good luck and let us know!
Dave
Edited by - Dave Shutter on 10/12/2001 04:10:05
