I have been under the impression that receiving an invite to the CVW was somewhat of a standard thing that happened to all 2000+ qualified and nominated candidates. However, as I lurk more around these forums, I have realized that not everyone gets invited to the CVW's. Is the CVW invite similar to an LOE for USMA? Does it show interest from USNA?
Quick Question regarding CVW
- Thread starter prthaler
- Start date
Seems to me that this CVW offer is sort of done at random. I was an LOA candidate last year and declined my appointment, never got an invite to a CVW. This year I reapplied, obtained a principal nomination and received another appointment and once again no CVW invite. Im sure others have different stories and opinions, but I wouldn't stress about not receiving an invite and I definitely would not take that as meaning the Academy is not interested in you.
I think it is done at random to bring in candidates from all over the country, so once again I say don't sweat it.
USMC8
I think it is done at random to bring in candidates from all over the country, so once again I say don't sweat it.
USMC8
My understanding is that you must ask your RC to go to the CVW, which I did. I just thought it was similar to the visit request that USMA had in place for day visits. The national distribution method seems to make sense, though.
alex1o1
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You don't have to ask to for an invite, I dont know if this way just coincidnce or was on purpose, but I received a cvw invite the same day that I received my nomination. I know it doesn't mean much as far as not getting one, but conversely, is it good news to receive an invitation? I did some math and it seems only around 1,000 people go to a cvw. So is this just a random thousand from around the nation, or is there some method behind picking?
Whistle Pig
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CVWs are not "randomly" issued, nor do they go to the entire pool of viable candidates. Generally they should be viewed as a positive indicator, specifically that at the time of issue, a candidacy remains viable and at least modestly attractive in the "eyes" of USNA admissions staff.
Conversely, CVW invites are no guarantee nor indication that upon becoming "qualified to compete for an appointment" and/or receipt of a nomination, that an offer of appointment would consequently be extended.
At the very least, a CVW should be seen as indicator that at its time of extension, the candidate has not been determined as unqualified. At the very most it should be seen as a positive indicator that a candidate remains attractive and viable for an offer of appointment, perhaps marginally more so than some others not receiving that invitation.
But taking the latter too seriously risks serious disappointment. A good sign that not too much should be read into. And evidence of that is that non-recipients of invitations are frequently, regularly given permission to attend when USNA is asked.
Make sense?
Conversely, CVW invites are no guarantee nor indication that upon becoming "qualified to compete for an appointment" and/or receipt of a nomination, that an offer of appointment would consequently be extended.
At the very least, a CVW should be seen as indicator that at its time of extension, the candidate has not been determined as unqualified. At the very most it should be seen as a positive indicator that a candidate remains attractive and viable for an offer of appointment, perhaps marginally more so than some others not receiving that invitation.
But taking the latter too seriously risks serious disappointment. A good sign that not too much should be read into. And evidence of that is that non-recipients of invitations are frequently, regularly given permission to attend when USNA is asked.
Make sense?
Flatstanley
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My DS was invited to a CVW last April, which he attended. He received a LOA in October and a couple of weeks later was invited to another CVW, which he turned down. No sense in taking up a spot that someone else wants since he had already made his decision to attend the academy upon appointment....
It's probably part random AND part recruiting tool....because, unlike NASS, the USNA foots the bill for a CVW (except for travel expenses). I can't imagine they'd extend an invite to anyone who wouldn't qualify....but that's just my opinion....
It's probably part random AND part recruiting tool....because, unlike NASS, the USNA foots the bill for a CVW (except for travel expenses). I can't imagine they'd extend an invite to anyone who wouldn't qualify....but that's just my opinion....
As I listen/read this discussion, I wonder if some aren't missing what I believe to be the most important point of the CVW, ......helping the candidate make the best choice. Rather than worry about whether an invite is good, bad or indifferent, you should be seeking out the chance to better understand if academy life is for you. In our case, I insisted that my DS visit all 3 Academies before seeking a nomination. In our state, you are almost guaranteed to get a nomination to only 1 academy and they try to give everyone their first choice. My DS was convinced that USMA was the only place for him. He went to soccer camp there, his grandparents live close by and his dad is a USMA grad. That was until, he and I visited Annapolis in May of his junior year. After the visit, he knew academy life was for him and suddenly USNA was a viable option. A visit to USAFA quickly removed them as an option and a visit to USMA made the final decision difficult. From my perspective, the USNA visit was the most beneficial and the most thorough of all three visits. It was the only one of the three that allowed for an over night and they did a much better job of promoting their academic programs, especially the engineering and sciences. Furthermore, the panel discussions were very informative for those parents w/o first hand experience in academy life.
My advice, don't wait on an invite, seek it out. It sends a message that you are serious and that can only help your chances. If you are a Junior, do it now, if you are a senior do it now. Call your Regional Admissions officer and ask.
One point of clarity, USMA does allow over night visits but only after you have been offered an appointment.
My advice, don't wait on an invite, seek it out. It sends a message that you are serious and that can only help your chances. If you are a Junior, do it now, if you are a senior do it now. Call your Regional Admissions officer and ask.
One point of clarity, USMA does allow over night visits but only after you have been offered an appointment.
2017Hopeful
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After my nomination interviews, the interviewers recommended I ask my BGO to place me on the CVW list. So, I politely asked if it was possible then was told I had been placed on it for spring. Got the invite and have signed up for Jan 31-Feb 2. So I was not randomly invited, if that helps.
Though, after I was all confirmed for my upcoming CVW, I received an email inviting me for a CVW, which differed from the one before. So I do not know if I was actually going to receive one without asking or not. I am not looking too much into it since I received my appointment after having been placed on the CVW list.
Though, after I was all confirmed for my upcoming CVW, I received an email inviting me for a CVW, which differed from the one before. So I do not know if I was actually going to receive one without asking or not. I am not looking too much into it since I received my appointment after having been placed on the CVW list.
USNA2016Dad
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More on CVW
I can't speak for USMA but I can relate the experience my son had with USNA. My son was invited to CVW in the same letter that denied his acceptance to USNA NASS. This was in the spring of 2011. At CVW, it was explained to us parents at a parents' meeting that NASS was a marketing tool and that acceptance to NASS was not required for an appointment. Those who were denied an invitation to NASS should not read anything into it in relation to their competitiveness for an appointment. It was further explained at the parents' meeting that since our kids were at CVW, USNA felt confident they had our kids hooked on the idea of USNA and that the invitation to CVW was to reassure our kids they were competitive for an appointment. So, to sum it up, you had to be competitive to be invited to CVW. That was then, but things could have changed since. My impression today is CVW is not a standard thing issued to many candidates, whereas NASS may be but limited due to other factors not related to competitiveness. My son was invited back to CVW after his appointment. Good luck to you and all. Cheers.
I can't speak for USMA but I can relate the experience my son had with USNA. My son was invited to CVW in the same letter that denied his acceptance to USNA NASS. This was in the spring of 2011. At CVW, it was explained to us parents at a parents' meeting that NASS was a marketing tool and that acceptance to NASS was not required for an appointment. Those who were denied an invitation to NASS should not read anything into it in relation to their competitiveness for an appointment. It was further explained at the parents' meeting that since our kids were at CVW, USNA felt confident they had our kids hooked on the idea of USNA and that the invitation to CVW was to reassure our kids they were competitive for an appointment. So, to sum it up, you had to be competitive to be invited to CVW. That was then, but things could have changed since. My impression today is CVW is not a standard thing issued to many candidates, whereas NASS may be but limited due to other factors not related to competitiveness. My son was invited back to CVW after his appointment. Good luck to you and all. Cheers.
Concur. DS was also invited to CVW in the spring of 2010 in the same letter denying acceptance to NASS. I heard from several sources at USNA information along the same lines - NASS was more marketing tool and CVW was used more to give competitive kids a little taste of the Academy.
usna1985
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The above posters are correct.
CVWs are generally offered to well-qualified candidates and are a "good sign." That said, I know of folks with CVWs who have received turndowns (for non-medical reasons).
You can request a CVW either through your BGO or directly from your RD. Requesting is no guarantee that you will receive one but, as with most things in life, it can't hurt to ask.
If offered a CVW, turning it down (as with turning down NASS) will not hurt your chances of an appointment. As with NASS, USNA understands that people can't attend for various reasons, including financial. However, OTOH, if you can afford to do it, turning down a CVW only hurts you in that you are missing out on yet another opportunity to ensure that USNA is right for you.
Some people say, "I know USNA is right for me so I don't need to go or take someone else's space." Okay. But my view is that there is no downside to making double, triple sure. Too many people who say in April that they are absolutely sure are turning in their papers to leave in July. Obviously, attending CVW is no guarantee that you will love USNA, that your decision is right, etc. -- but it can give you a better idea of what your life will be like and help reinforce your decision.
CVWs are generally offered to well-qualified candidates and are a "good sign." That said, I know of folks with CVWs who have received turndowns (for non-medical reasons).
You can request a CVW either through your BGO or directly from your RD. Requesting is no guarantee that you will receive one but, as with most things in life, it can't hurt to ask.
If offered a CVW, turning it down (as with turning down NASS) will not hurt your chances of an appointment. As with NASS, USNA understands that people can't attend for various reasons, including financial. However, OTOH, if you can afford to do it, turning down a CVW only hurts you in that you are missing out on yet another opportunity to ensure that USNA is right for you.
Some people say, "I know USNA is right for me so I don't need to go or take someone else's space." Okay. But my view is that there is no downside to making double, triple sure. Too many people who say in April that they are absolutely sure are turning in their papers to leave in July. Obviously, attending CVW is no guarantee that you will love USNA, that your decision is right, etc. -- but it can give you a better idea of what your life will be like and help reinforce your decision.