Overnight Visit

EagleScout13

USMA Class of 2017
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2011
Messages
174
I'm currently planning on having my overnight visit in early January because of all west chorus and other things in October/November. Could anyone tell me if there's a reason to have an overnight visit earlier, say before Christmas? Thank you
 
I'm currently planning on having my overnight visit in early January because of all west chorus and other things in October/November. Could anyone tell me if there's a reason to have an overnight visit earlier, say before Christmas? Thank you

Do you have an LOE or appointment? Generally those are required unless you are a recruited athlete on an official visit.
 
Weather issues come to mind. Last winter was fairly mild but the winter before that was pretty snowy.
 
As I recall, you have an LOE. The one positive of visiting in Jan. would be that you would be visiting in what is affectionately described as the gloom period - so if you like West Point then, when the weather stinks and the sun is on vacation out west, and the football season is a distant memory and school work is constant, and you still come across cadets who are generally pleased to be there or you find fun things to do, you can feel more comfortable about your choice to attend. My non-cadet daughter visited a school during a week of very rainy weather (3-4 inches of rain per day) and still liked it - it made us more comfortable with her choice since she had seen the campus at its worst.
 
Understand from an AIM we attended this past Sunday, WP discourages visits in December as the cadets are sitting for final semester exams and preparing to leave for Christmas break. What I heard, can remember, and what is policy could all be different. Ask and see if they allow it.
 
Well, I think that it would be a good experience to reflect upon and show your motivation and how sure you are of your choice during your Congressional Nomination Interviews. Other than that, I would not be the one to ask.
 
Also, this Thursday I am going on mine so is there anyone who can offer me advice?
PM me or share with everyone here:) Thanks!
 
If I run varsity cross country, can I practice with the cross country team for one practice to see what it is like while on my overnight visit?
 
Okay let me see if I can help here. I'm only a plebe so..

Visiting during the "grey" period would be pretty beneficial..as it will show you the "worst" time at west point. If you do this though, make sure it is in late January/early feb because cadets won't have settled in to their new classes etc

I strongly advise not coming any time after the first week past thanksgiving. The three weeks up until christams will be filled with studying for the TEE's (Term end exams) and cadets will be very stressed out and not likely to have a lot of time.

As for the cross country, I'm going to say no to that based on my own knowledge, as West Point is responsible for you here, and having you practice with their sports team would leave them very liable if you were hurt..with them having no sure information that you were healthy enough to preform (IE trying out, dodmerb, CFA, and beast APFT results)


Tips for visiting:
-Ask a ton of questions. Bring a list of questions you wrote while driving/flying and throw them at your plebe. It's your time to learn, and when you first show up..you might forget all of them and just look around at the campus.
-Don't be afraid to request to visit a place. As a candidate, you have full privilege to cadet areas, off limits to the general public. With that said, some great places to see are:
*Arvin Gym (6 stories of pure fitness, including 3 story rock climbing wall, many weight rooms, the Indoor Obstacle Course, and more)
*Trophy Point
*Superintendents/Comm's house
*Library!
*Academic buildings
*Grant Hall
*Cadet Store

-Don't let them just dwell on the positives either. Ask about their hardest day, and why. Find the stories about Beast, and the downsides too. There are so many positives to attending West Point. But there are some negatives too. Make sure you come out with knowledge on both.

Feel free to PM me if I can help anyone.
 
If I run varsity cross country, can I practice with the cross country team for one practice to see what it is like while on my overnight visit?

It wouldn't hurt to ask.
I knew a candidate (now cadet) who ran XC and was able run with the Marathon team while on an overnight.
 
You can ask, but XC is a DI sport and NCAA rules likely will not permit any practices with the team. I'd be surprised if you were allowed. Running w/ a club is a different matter and that may be better so you can enjoy the terrain.
 
Found this while searching the forums for information.

"What type of gift would be appropriate for the cadet that I will shadow?"

Is this type of thing normal? Should I bring something, or is this just some kiss up trying to get attention?

Also, other than the essentials included in my information, is there anything else I should bring? Or, as I asked before, any advice you could afford me?

I have my ROTC interview tomorrow and then go right up to West Point to stay the night at a hotel and Thursday morning it begins:)!
 
Found this while searching the forums for information.

"What type of gift would be appropriate for the cadet that I will shadow?"

Is this type of thing normal? Should I bring something, or is this just some kiss up trying to get attention?

Also, other than the essentials included in my information, is there anything else I should bring? Or, as I asked before, any advice you could afford me?

I have my ROTC interview tomorrow and then go right up to West Point to stay the night at a hotel and Thursday morning it begins:)!

I've read of people giving gifts to the cadet they shadow. It's usually something like cookies, cake, etc that the visitor's Mom made. The cadet and his unit will "eat it up" (pun intended). :rolleyes:
 
Found this while searching the forums for information.

"What type of gift would be appropriate for the cadet that I will shadow?"

Is this type of thing normal? Should I bring something, or is this just some kiss up trying to get attention?

Also, other than the essentials included in my information, is there anything else I should bring? Or, as I asked before, any advice you could afford me?

I have my ROTC interview tomorrow and then go right up to West Point to stay the night at a hotel and Thursday morning it begins:)!

The purpose of the gift is to show appreciation for the cadet hosting you overnight. There is certainly no rule that requires you to do this, it's just a thoughtful thing to do. Something simple like Halloween candy, beef jerky, trail mix, etc., is always appreciated.

I would suggest wearing pressed khakis and a nice sweater or polo shirt. You may need a jacket this week too. Take something to read while your cadet is studying. My cadet took workout clothes as well.
 
Thanks guys, that makes sense, and I will make sure to get something:). Guess I just overlooked that part of the visit, good thing I foudn that thread haha.
 
practicing with a team while at WP?

It seems to me that this could be a violation of some NCAA rule?
 
Hey guys, just got back last night from the visit and it went great:) I loved it up there and had some great experiences. All your advice definitely helped!
 
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