CVW Question

Midparenthopeful

5-Year Member
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Feb 29, 2012
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6
My DS has a CVW in October. My question is should the parent attend the sessions? Is it frowned upon from and Admissions standpoint if a parent does not attend, or does it not make a difference about a parent attending?
 
There are programs for Parents during CVW. They understand that not all Parents can attend. It is mostly a question and answer session (send your DD/DS out of the hall and get to ask questions without them present) and a tour for Parents. The CVW is for the prospective Mid. They accommodate the Parents with things to keep them busy. It doesn't make a difference. They are applying not their Parents.:thumb:
 
My son has his CVW this weekend. I didn't even think that parents were invited. In any event, I'm dropping him at the airport tonight, and off he goes.

Any advice on how he should conduct himself while there? He's a well-mannered kid, so I don't mean "please, thank you, sir". I think he has that covered. But are the candidates evaluated in any way while they are there, and if so, how?
 
My son has his CVW this weekend. I didn't even think that parents were invited. In any event, I'm dropping him at the airport tonight, and off he goes.

Any advice on how he should conduct himself while there? He's a well-mannered kid, so I don't mean "please, thank you, sir". I think he has that covered. But are the candidates evaluated in any way while they are there, and if so, how?

Whenever my son was on the yard, I advised him that at any moment his conduct could be observed and to always conduct himself accordingly. You just never know who could be watching or taking notice.
Cheers...
 
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That is always a good assumption. Also realize that Admissions and Midshipmen don't wear blindfolds....what I mean is if you never used "sir" or "ma'am" that isn't grounds for USNA not wanting you.....trust me, plebe summer would instill that. However, good behavior, appropriate dress (which is already dictated, I think), positive attitude, etc. is what will be noticed and possibly, documented.

I have had candidates use various "slang" words (non-offensive, like "ya," etc) during my BGO interviews. I'm not normally concerned about that behavior as indoctrination fixes it. I'm more concerned there is genuine interest, etc. -- i.e. things that USNA can't fix (intrinsic qualities).

In other words, I wouldn't fret too much.
 
My son has his CVW this weekend. I didn't even think that parents were invited. In any event, I'm dropping him at the airport tonight, and off he goes.

Any advice on how he should conduct himself while there? He's a well-mannered kid, so I don't mean "please, thank you, sir". I think he has that covered. But are the candidates evaluated in any way while they are there, and if so, how?

They are, but it's not some hard-core evaluation process. His hosts will just fill out a form after he leaves and (theoretically) it gets passed through the chain of command through to admissions.
For reasons that are beyond my comprehension, drags sometimes do baffling things, including:
-Wearing their varsity letterman jacket and expecting mids to be impressed
-Wearing sweatshirts that display the name of other colleges
-Wearing (basically) gym clothes to classes
-Forgetting to bring jackets when their CVW is in November and so consequently wearing their host's uniform jacket (my favorite)
-Not going to anything their host does or expressing zero interest in what they're doing
-Having gross hair or nasty, patchy little beards

As a general rule, if your son does none of these things he will be fine (to candidates: wearing nice-but-not-weird-nice attire, as in collared shirt and khakis, is a good call). The CVW is his chance to get an inside look at USNA. If he takes that opportunity (relatively) seriously and uses it to pick brains, take part in different activities, and have fun, then he's doing the right stuff.
 
My DS has a CVW in October. My question is should the parent attend the sessions? Is it frowned upon from and Admissions standpoint if a parent does not attend, or does it not make a difference about a parent attending?

As a parent this is where you need to start listening to your son/daughter. CVW is for them and it should be their call if they want you along. Some kids do some don't. I our case, our daughter wanted to do the CVW on her own. So we made the plane, hotel, and transportation arrangments and off she went. Hard to believe that was almost 6 years ago.
 
We drove down with DD. It was easier as we were relatively close and wanted to see the Academy. Thirty minutes after registration she was gone. Didn't see her again until pick up. Hard to believe is right.:thumb:
 
We drove down with DD. It was easier as we were relatively close and wanted to see the Academy. Thirty minutes after registration she was gone. Didn't see her again until pick up. Hard to believe is right.:thumb:

For us it was also logistics and cost as we sent her out from California.

Today it works out great she's at Pendelton a 1 hour plane ride away. She made me laugh today. Got a text that she was off "Boating with the Navy" Her platoon of vehicles had finished loading up on their assigned LCAC's and they were going to fly around off-shore for a while. As Platoon Cmdr. she gets to sit in the pilot house and enjoy the ride.

For you parents that are in process with your potential future Mids application. It is one hell of a ride and it does not stop at graduation.
 
Off boating with the chauffeurs is she? DD is PI in Headquarters. Glad your daughter is so close after those years away. It never stops.:rockon: Can you believe, almost six years.:eek:
 
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All good counsel. Mine is that this is not merely about the Mid-candidate. NONE of this is merely about the candidate. While it is fully in order if children and their parents have an agreement that this process is exclusively the purview of the candidate, interested and engaged parents have many reasons to attend, if they are able and so inclined. Parents can hear differently, discern and ask pertinent questions, and assess their own feelings about this process. Remember, THE primary reason for Mid attrition is that they discover aspects and feelings after I Day that they failed to discover prior to I Day.

There is no need nor call to feel anything but welcome and engaged in a CVW. Were parents NOT supposed to be part of this process, BGOs would not include them in the interviewing process and USNA would not have a program of activities for them.

The point is ... if you want to go, go. And as others have noted, be guaranteed, barring a random crossing, your path will not cross nor interfere with your child's.
 
I agree with WP. The military is more than just about the mere individual who serves, it is also about their dependents and families. You should feel well informed on what your son/daughter is getting into, both at USNA and after. Let's face it, there is no real way to "embarrass" them since your session is not with your child. Also, if you haven't been to Baltimore, DC, or the eastern shore...this might be a good time (after the parent events, of course) while your son/daughter is shadowing the MIDN.

There is no need nor call to feel anything but welcome and engaged in a CVW. Were parents NOT supposed to be part of this process, BGOs would not include them in the interviewing process and USNA would not have a program of activities for them.

Exactly!
 
My concern was not crossing paths with my DS. I understand that the military cares about the whole family which is why I am a little concerned that my DS will be attending CVW alone. Will USNA count that "against" him? We simply are not in a position to afford a lot of college visits, and our DS still has another weekend planned to go visit his plan B schools. We just want to be certain that USNA Admissions does not think we are not supporting our DS by only sending him and not a parent as well.
Not to say we know everything there is to know about USNA, but we do feel well informed based on USNA.edu, this forum and NASS information that DS brought home.

Also, we do support our DS 150% for going to USNA and becoming a leader!!!
GO NAVY!!!
 
My concern was not crossing paths with my DS. I understand that the military cares about the whole family which is why I am a little concerned that my DS will be attending CVW alone. Will USNA count that "against" him? We simply are not in a position to afford a lot of college visits, and our DS still has another weekend planned to go visit his plan B schools. We just want to be certain that USNA Admissions does not think we are not supporting our DS by only sending him and not a parent as well.
Not to say we know everything there is to know about USNA, but we do feel well informed based on USNA.edu, this forum and NASS information that DS brought home.

Also, we do support our DS 150% for going to USNA and becoming a leader!!!
GO NAVY!!!

Oh no, never! This won't in anyway be "held against" your DS. There will be many there absent parents for many various reasons from obligations, responsibilities, to cost. No points for or against absent nor present parents!:thumb:
 
I am currently at the Sep 20-22 CVW. Dress attire here that I've seen ranges from shorts and a t-shirt, to a polo and khakis, to a dress shirt and dress pants. Look nice, and bring gym gear. Dress shoes, sneakers, and flip flops as well. It's an amazing experience.
 
When you get an invitation to a CVW, does the USNA give you a choice of future weekends, or is it a "use it or lose it" proposition? Does anyone know when the next scheduled CVW is in October? My DS is hoping to get an invite now that his info is close to complete.
 
I believe you are offered a particular WE. However, if that WE is inconvenient, you can ask to attend at a later date.

If you want one, tell your BGO and tell your RD -- especially your RD. Please realize that not everyone who wants one will get one due to capacity issues. And, getting a CVW does NOT mean you will receive an appointment. It is typically a good sign but definitely not a guarantee.
 
Also, if you were invited to NASS, you are very likely not going to be offered a CVW.
 
Sorry, but I must question this one, jadler. My understanding is there is no attempt to connect the two and observation has been that MANY NASSans receive CVW invites. Unless that has been a recent change? Or perhaps I've been in the fog more than I know?

In other words if a candidate is deemed a worthy prospect, a CVW may be extended regardless if he/she attended NASS or not.
 
Must be a change....happened to one of my candidates who has already been reviewed (I'll let you guess on the status) and attended NASS. The reason was for what I said above. I don't want to say there might be exceptions, but they might be far and few....so if you went to NASS, don't expect a CVW!
 
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