Understand that funds are limited as they are for alot of families. Agree, there are options as those suggested on here to reach out to family, but that isn't in the cards for everyone or something that everyone would want to do. There are pros and cons to each. First off, not everyone gets into NASS. Remember NASS is a recruiting event so USNA doesn't necessarily pick the top X amount of folks based upon their applications. They look at a whole variety of things. So don't put the cart before the horse, you might unfortunately get passed over for NASS. Also remember that plenty of folks do not attend NASS and get into USNA. It is not a requirement and doesn't provide points to getting in. I tried to capture a few of the differences between the two events. A CVW is a great opportunity especially if your mind isn't made up yet. Here are pros and cons to each as I see it, but I am sure there are plenty more:
NASS:
Pros
- Its a long event so you get to really be on campus for close to a week. You get to live, eat and sleep in Bancroft Hall.
- Exposure to alot of what of USNA has to offer in briefings, etc.
- You get to meet alot of your peers.
- You get to knock out your CFA.
- You to do some cool stuff like mini-sea trials.
Cons
- It is summer at USNA, so campus isn't what its like during the Ac Year. Your exposure to Mids is limited to those in the cadre which is alot of 3/C Mids and some 1/C.
- You really do not get a 100% picture of what USNA is like daily in the Ac Year. NASS is a recruiting event and its set up that way. NASS is not what its like to be a Mid. Its a glimpse into what USNA has to offer and tries to expose you to a small facet of some of the challenges you would face as a Mid.
CVW:
Pros
- Its the academic year and you get a very good idea of what USNA is like for a Plebe and as an upperclassman. Alot of folks focus so much on Plebe Summer, but that is really only 6 weeks. You will live 4 years of what this life is like and its important to see that aspect from the classroom, to the hall (chow calls, come arounds, etc), to sports, to working out and even study period. This kind of exposure is not duplicated during NASS.
- You get to eat, sleep, live in Bancroft and get to see what that life is like within the walls in the academic year.
- Exposure to tons of Mids. Its important to not only talk to Plebes (your hosts), but upperclass especially those who major in what you are interested in or a club/sport you are eyeing.
Cons
- It is short.
- Your host could be in a bad mood or doesn't help connect you with other folks. This can be fixed by talking with their room mates, asking to talk to upperclass, etc. But I also think this of exposure is good too as its the "real" Naval Academy and you can see the roller coaster it truly is. A CVW during the dark ages is very eye opening to how long and tiring Plebe Year really is.