Observations of a parent at an overnight visit for son

Maximus

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We had a wonderful time at West Point last week, my son met a few fellow USMAPS cadet candidates and loved his overnight portion of the trip. Specifically, he loved the 3 classes he was able to attend, hasn't stopped talking about how conducive to learning the environment is!

Typical West Point area early spring weather too, Wednesday it snowed (heavy for an hour too!) and Thursday it was almost 70 and sunny! As i said in another thread, we made up for that sunny day with cold and rain the next two days... :smile:

Now to the reason I started this thread. It was my understanding that only candidates with LOA's or Appointments could attend an overnight but, that was not the case! There were a few juniors attending the overnight portion which surprised me. I could be mistaken as I didn't see all the candidates that might have left after the daily shadow visit but, I did see one candidate that stayed as a junior from High School.

I also couldn't believe the amount of questions for DoDMERB, I wanted to stand up and scream "call Mr. Larry Mullen!!!!"
That and the amount of people that didn't even start an application yet as a junior.
 
Glad you had a great trip!
How did you like your tour? Did you get a "private" Q&A with a Cadet?

There were a few juniors attending the overnight portion which surprised me
could they have been recruited athletes?

Most Juniors will not have started their application yet. It is very early and most people expierience with college applications don't know the SA applications can start early.
DoDMERB is a bugaboo! Was the Officer of the Day helpful?
 
I'm a high school junior who has started their application to both USMA and USNA as well as my applications to my congressman. I'm also scheduled for a visit to West Point in two weeks. I guess I'm ahead of the game. :)
 
Glad you had a great trip!
How did you like your tour? Did you get a "private" Q&A with a Cadet?


could they have been recruited athletes?

Most Juniors will not have started their application yet. It is very early and most people expierience with college applications don't know the SA applications can start early.
DoDMERB is a bugaboo! Was the Officer of the Day helpful?

We had an absolutely wonderful time even factoring in the weather! My wife and I explored for 4 days and still did not see everything. We watched a baseball game in the snow and extensively toured the cemetery, it's absolutely a National treasure! My son says it will be an honor and privilege to go to school there!
We did have a private Q&A with my sons shadow cadet and he was a great kid.

As to the Juniors, I realize that it is early in the process but some were even asking where to apply? It didn't make sense and there was a room full of people. I would guess there were about 20 to 30 candidates there with a total of about 75 people (parents) connected. The Officer of the Day was fantastic, he even took the time to stop over by us when we were there to pick up my son, I was surprised he recognized us again; we had asked a specific question the day before and he asked if it was answered by our escort.

My son is fortunate in that he gets to do the whole thing over again on Wednesday! Including a stop at USMAPS in New Jersey and then on to West Point for another overnight till Saturday when they drop him back off at Newark Airport. He's ecstatic and looking forward to 'class' again only this time he'll be alone on his "Mission" as his paperwork states. lol
 
Maximus - we were there too! Were you sitting on the front row during the cadet Q & A? Thought it might be you since that person was asking questions about USMAPS :smile: My son LOVED the overnight visit. My husband and I had planned on doing some other things in the area but we could not pull ourselves away from West Point. We walked all over and just absorbed everything "West Point". It is absolutely breathtaking there. We stayed at the Thayer and enjoyed watching Rugby teams practicing at the field across the street, ate at Grant Hall, visited the chapel, shopped at the bookstore and walked around Highland Falls. We had such a good time! Hope we get to go back many times as parents of a cadet! Son is still waiting on a waiver. Has LOA so all he needs is the waiver. He is absolutely convinced that WP is where he is suppose to be.

-BULL- no it is not too early. This recent overnight visit was my son's 3rd time there. He visited WP for a day visit in the Fall of his junior year and also went to SLS that next summer. He LOVED SLS! Enjoy your visit!

Good luck to all those still waiting to get accepted to this wonderful Service Academy. Anxious days ahead.....
 
I was there as well and personally talked to one of the Juniors you spoke of. He said he was originally supposed to be there for the day visit but his plebe told him not to worry about it and nobody would notice. He stayed for the whole overnight visit even though he hasn't even began the application proccess.

They also didn't check our meal tickets...those who were only there for the day visit got some free meals out of it...
 
Maximus - we were there too! Were you sitting on the front row during the cadet Q & A? Thought it might be you since that person was asking questions about USMAPS :smile: My son LOVED the overnight visit. My husband and I had planned on doing some other things in the area but we could not pull ourselves away from West Point. We walked all over and just absorbed everything "West Point". It is absolutely breathtaking there. We stayed at the Thayer and enjoyed watching Rugby teams practicing at the field across the street, ate at Grant Hall, visited the chapel, shopped at the bookstore and walked around Highland Falls. We had such a good time! Hope we get to go back many times as parents of a cadet! Son is still waiting on a waiver. Has LOA so all he needs is the waiver. He is absolutely convinced that WP is where he is suppose to be.

-BULL- no it is not too early. This recent overnight visit was my son's 3rd time there. He visited WP for a day visit in the Fall of his junior year and also went to SLS that next summer. He LOVED SLS! Enjoy your visit!

Good luck to all those still waiting to get accepted to this wonderful Service Academy. Anxious days ahead.....

That was me! lol Front row up near the center and yes, I did ask about 3 USMAPS questions. Cadet Tores, the OOD and the gal from admissions were great help.
My son was about the 3rd or 4th Candidate called out, blond kid, 6' 2" tall with a dark blue sport coat and tan dockers on.

I made the mistake of staying in Newburg at the Ramada..too far! Next time will definitely be the Thayer. We too planned on doing some other things but could not pull ourselves away from West Point. We managed to go to Gasho of Japan on Friday evening with some local family and my son.

Good luck on the waver, I hope your days aren't that anxious and we're pulling for him!
 
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