What's it like?

StayingPositive

5-Year Member
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Oct 26, 2013
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So I got an invitation from the Naval Academy to join them at this years Candidate Visit Weekend where I go for 3 days and experience life as a mid. Unfortunately, its taking place during the days of my midterms. I have not made a decision yet but I will most likely will try to work something out with my teachers so I can attend. To anyone who has been to one of these candidate visit weekends or has more in-depth knowledge about it, could you tell me what its like? Thank you!
 
Experience

StayingPositive,

This is really not that unfortunate; I think it may happen often. My son was up againt the same wall on this. He was selected to NASS and it was his year ending finals that became the issue. He went to the vise principle explained what it was all about as well as the importance. The VP gave him the full support he needed and together with his teachers it was worked out.

I think you will find that when you talk to the teachers and VP they will already know how important this is. On another good note my son did quite well on his finals and got out of school early. His friends were all jelious. :thumb:

Hope this helps...
 
My DS did a CVW last April and loved it. He stayed in a room with 3 mids, ate with them, went to class, played squash (in their spare time) on Friday night, and basically shadowed one mid for 2 days. He loved it!! I highly recommend you go if you can, especially if you are seriously considering USNA. The mids he roomed with were all swimmers like DS. He asked questions about classes, PT, etc. We live in the Midwest, so the cost of flying was an issue, but we made it happen. BTW, DS was not accepted to NASS, but I heard that CVW gives you a better picture of life as a mid.

Also, there are things for your parents to do & see, tours, Q&A sessions, watch formations, etc. if they go with you.
 
I went as well. Did similar things and absolutely loved it. Payed for the ticket out of ND myself ($450) and shuttle ($80) but I still think it was entirely worth it.

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OOPS...

I mised the most important point.

ca2midwestmom & Jayceguy said it well. Although NASS is a little different from CVW my son was over the top with how much he enjoyed it and everything he learned. In fact he would not shut up for three days and continues to talk about some things every now and then.

My DS did not do CVW; however, he knows a firstie who took him on a day tour and gave to him straight. We were there from 9am to I think 4pm. In many ways the one-on-one was a little better for my son. It was better because he wants to continue his sport & the firstie he knows was able to give him both life as a mid and as a team mate. The firstie did not sugar coat, in fact some of what he said really gets your attention. From what I know now you really have to make every effort in finding out if this is for you.

I can tell you that after the one-on-one and NASS my son is hoping for the best. The crazy kid even purchased the same PT gear the Plebes use.:rolleyes:

To that end, from a parental point of view...GO!!
 
StayingPositive,

I'm a 2018 candidate and I went to a CVW in October. I live about an hour away from Philly so it was only a 2hr drive for me... Unfortunately, when I went, it was during the govt shutdown AND Air Force week - a little crazy. I was only able to see one class (cyber security :thumbdown: ). Also, apparently the new commandant is strict so you wont get to go to the obstacle course across the river (like you used to?) Also I got told last minute on the Friday night that I couldn't go on the squad outing :rant2: due to "liability", so I ended up watching Netflix on my Mid's computer. Not to mention my car kinda broke down when I was supposed to go home that Saturday afternoon *sigh*.

However, i tried to look past my bad experience and look for the useful stuff. It was a good firsthand experience to watch my plebe get grilled by an upperclassman because he did not know his ProKnow material and forgot to get a signature lol. Also touring the engineering building and the hydro-lab was AWESOME! Eating meals was cool too... and the morning PT of the wrestling ring (drags did not participate). BTW a 'drag' is a candidate.

I know I'm getting off topic but the CVW is a good chance to see what you really think about USNA. I had some doubts afterward, but now no more. If you can afford the time and money, I would definitely do it. :smile:
 
. Also, apparently the new commandant is strict so you wont get to go to the obstacle course across the river (like you used to?)

A corpsman must be present for midshipmen to run the obstacle course, and that involves putting up a request to the health clinic in advance. It's not the commandant (though he did scrap the Saturday Morning Training program); it's just that midshipmen cannot simply run the obstacle course whenever.

Candidates that were able to run the obstacle course during CVW before likely did so as part of SMT. A chit was submitted in advance, and there was a corpsman present.

The endurance course has no such restrictions.


I highly recommend any candidate to attend CVW if at all possible. It is the most honest, useful view of the Naval Academy you will get. Most high schools will be willing to work with you.

The PR recruitment machine that is NASS coats the place with the shiniest sugar Admissions can buy. A CVW is much more realistic.
 
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mdn18, you were there the same time I was. What company were you with? I too missed out on some fun.

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Possible to re-schedule...

Last year, USNA offered our son a CVW on a weekend that would have conflicted with State football playoffs. He sent an email to admissions explaining that he would choose the CVW over football if push came to shove but that he didn't want to shirk his commitment to the team. Reply was: we understand - how about this date instead? So - I don't think it would hurt to ask if another weekend is available. Either way - good luck!
 
I think you will find that when you talk to the teachers and VP they will already know how important this is.

I'm not so sure that's always true. There are many teachers and school administrators who have no idea what the service academies are all about. They think all sailors go to the "Naval Academy" ... just like all police officers attend the Police Academy.
 
12. My plebe was very boring, but it was still fun

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Sometimes a candidate visitation can actually give the candidate a warped perspective of life at the Naval Academy.

Mostly, they get just the Plebe perspective. That does not define the entire academy experience. Secondly, some of the Plebes have a fairly callous and jaded view of life at the Naval Academy. That's where the candidate will get 90% of his information. This can discourage the candidate when, in fact, his experience might be far better.
 
If your still thinking about it, DO IT! I went in October and LOVED it! Wouldn't stop talking about it for days and learned and saw so many things. Just the first night I was there I met so many people and saw them working on homework (somewhat boring but funny at times because they were all funny plebes).
The second day I went to their classes and had breakfast in the dining hall. I was in a room of 4 girls and they all wanted to answer my questions and show me around. I ended up going to 5 different classes with my drag, then one of her friends who was from the same place I am took me all around campus and to the Mid store (its HUGE). [Unfortunately] They had just ended 6 weeks so they were all happier than usual (tried to keep that in mind), but overall I loved it.
The last day we even worked out a little bit and the squad played soccer and football. which was fun to see them "cut loose".

Overall, every plebe I met really wanted to answer any questions I had (and they did a really good job), though I think part of it was that it was only the 2nd CVW and they had just truly gotten into the groove of things:) I'm sure if you go you'll find it really interesting and you'll be glad you went.
 
Sometimes a candidate visitation can actually give the candidate a warped perspective of life at the Naval Academy.

Mostly, they get just the Plebe perspective. That does not define the entire academy experience. Secondly, some of the Plebes have a fairly callous and jaded view of life at the Naval Academy. That's where the candidate will get 90% of his information. This can discourage the candidate when, in fact, his experience might be far better.

With that in mind, I encourage all candidates to interact with upperclassmen and other personnel as well as the plebes.

Just because you're assigned to a plebe doesn't mean you'll be treated like one. Be sure to ask the upperclassmen, professors, company officers, etc. as many questions as you like; most of them will gladly take a minute to talk to you.
 
^^ Totally agree. Don't only talk with your assigned plebe. If he/she is busy, walk around, meet/talk with other mids. During free time don't sit in your room playing on a PC, go out and meet other mids. CVW is a chance for a real look at life as a mid, take advantage of it when given the chance.
 
I was told I couldn't leave my plebes side. I think it might just be what company you get put in.

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