Candidate Visit Weekend

CVW

DS attended CVW as a Junior last Spring. He received another invitation to attend again in Jan/Feb. He is triple q'd and has a nomination. USNA is his first choice school and will attend if accepted.

Will it look bad not to attend again? (He knows he wants to attend. We are not wanting to miss any class days at high school.)

Why would there be a second invite?

Thanks in advance!
 
No. He may want to send a note explaining just that, altho probly not necessary. No points "for" or "off" by attending or otherwise.
 
NASS v.s. CVW

I did not attend NASS, but I did attend SLS. I would imagine that they are extremely similar.

First of all CVW's and NASS are great opportunities for candidates to receive exposure to the academy. I believe all of those who receive an appointment should gain some short of exposure prior to I-day in order to relax the culture shock. If you are given the chance to participate in either program, take it!

That being said I enjoyed the CVW much better than my SLS experience for the fact that I feel I gained more from it. CVW is similar to job shadowing; funny cause USNA is training you for your future job as an officer right :thumb: Anyways, the CVW allows you to be "dragged" by a plebe for approximately 40 hours. during these forty hours you will wake up at the crack of dawn, attend actual academic classes of your plebe, watch the sport/intramural practice of your plebe, and most importantly RECEIVE LOTS OF TIME TO ASK ABOUT LIFE AS A PLEBE. Nobody can tell you better what life is like at USNA than someone who lives at USNA. You get the opportunity to watch what your daily life as a plebe is like.

Now, SLS/NASS is much more like a summer camp. Its still great to go but it is certainly an entire different atmosphere from a CVW.

Personally, the CVW was a huge factor for me in deciding USNA was my first choice. When I went in October, I had an LOA in hand from USNA and USAFA. After spending those few days observing and interacting with the brigade, I knew I would be making the correct selection in USNA. I just felt the right vibe the entire time I was on the yard.
 
After attending 2 CVW i think this is the best opportunity to learn about the academy if you are really interested. CVW allows you, the candidate, to acquire first hand experience with academy life. I had been told how rigorous life was by numerous people (alumni, BGO etc.) but this was the only time I was able to live that life. The experience is different for everyone so you can't rely on what someone tells you they experienced, hence why I'm not telling my story. As someone else said talk to as many plebes as possible, and upperclassman if you have the chance. Each mid has their own take on the academy. Overall, if you have the chance, GO. This is the closest to academy life you can get without actually being a mid there.
 
I'm just curious as to what exactly we do while we're there. The letter says to bring swimwear and work out clothes - are we expected to keep up with the Plebes during PT and such? Because I was fine during Summer Seminar but this pace seems like it would be much more intimidating. Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!
 
You will follow a plebe around for 2.5 days doing whatever it is that they do. You attend class/meals and whatever the company is doing with your plebe. Regarding workout clothes and a swimsuit - I never used the swimsuit but i used the workout clothes for Saturday Morning Training which was a lot of running, pushups, and pullups. There were some people there that chose not to participate in stuff like that but I would suggest that you do. Whatever you do will be up to your plebe and their company so bring what they suggested just in case.
 
CVW--Vehicle Needed?

We are going to CVW in February and was wondering whether or not we should rent a car from BWI to Annapolis? I see that there are several hotels within 2-3 miles of the Academy, but I'm not sure about public transportation. Any insight from previous visitors would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

BoCoMo
 
We are going to CVW in February and was wondering whether or not we should rent a car from BWI to Annapolis? I see that there are several hotels within 2-3 miles of the Academy, but I'm not sure about public transportation. Any insight from previous visitors would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

BoCoMo
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When we went in November, we shuttled from BWI to our hotel. We stayed at the Historical Inns of Maryland, which was within walking distance to everything--academy, dining, shopping and right downtown historical district. We didn't need a car and parking downtown would have been a nightmare. When we went to dinner across the bay, we just took a taxi--$7. This worked out fine for us because everthing we wanted to do and see was in and around the academy and the weather cooperated--no rain or snow. It's a great place to visit--have fun!
 
Thanks!

That's just the information I was wanting to hear. Renting a car was something I did not want to even consider so I'm glad it's something we can avoid.

Thanks again for the prompt reply!!!
 
Weather could definitely play a major role in February as for walking around DTA, especially if your hotel is more than 3-4 blocks away from USNA.
Airport shuttle trips to DTA usually cost approx. $25-$30 per passenger (one-way). I've rented midsize cars at BWI thru Southwest.com several times for special weekend rates of $12-$18 per day.....keep that in mind when you check the local weather forecast just prior to your CVW.:thumb:
My February weekend trip to the yard this year includes a full-size rental at $20/day....but I'm planning to take a boatload of Mids to dinner and breakfast :thumb: A rental just allows me much more flexibility.

:director:GO NAVY !
 
BoCoMo said:
We are going to CVW in February and was wondering whether or not we should rent a car from BWI to Annapolis? I see that there are several hotels within 2-3 miles of the Academy, but I'm not sure about public transportation. Any insight from previous visitors would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

BoCoMo
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greeneagle and Lee give you good perspectives either way. Really depends on what you want to do. When we went with our then prospective Mid to a Jan. CVW, We flew in from TX on a Thurs. and departed on Sun. We rented a vehicle because we wanted to visit D.C. when CVW was over on Sat. (noonish). Parking in DTA can be a hassle($) depending on your lodging arrangements. If you are further out, say Riva Road or the mall area, parking is easy. DTA is easy walking distance to the Academy or you can take an eCruiser (443.481.2422;work for tips; I keep their # on my phone). Heed greeneagle about the weather as it never broke 34 when we were at CVW.

PM if you want to discuss further, we've stayed in DTA and out on Riva Rd. in the past. Good Luck!
 
MakeItHuppen offers good counsel ...IF one wants to see sites beyond Annapolis circle and The Yard. And IF one wants to make more of the weekend, and IF $$ for motel is issue, go to those motels off Riva Road ...Courtyard, Hampton, etc. They can all offer hugely better rates. One other thought that may be even better bargain, BWI Hilton. Tell them you are a USNA parent -potential (or candidate). They often, regularly it seems, offer best deals. BWI's about 20 min. from the Yard. Just a few anecdotal thoughts.
 
Don't know if it's the same this year, but last year when DS went to CVW we were allowed to park on the yard (we just had to show a copy of the CVW invite letter).
 
Great info everyone

Thanks so much for the postings. Very good information.

I ended up booking at Loews Annapolis on West Street as that appears to be less than 1/2-mile from the Academy. We balanced the cost of a rental car/cheaper hotel versus the more expensive hotel within walking distance. We're staying Wed thru Sat evening and the hassle was finding rental cars cheaper than $189 for that time period (at least that's what our AAA Travel Agent could find). I'm planning on checking that out while I'm there to see what else is available. Plus, it's only my son and I going this time and had the entire family gone, I think the rental car for sightseeing would be a great option. I'm in Missouri so low 30-degrees is something we're fairly used to.

Anyway, we're excited about going and are cautiously optimistic as our son has an acceptance & political appointment. Unfortunately, he got injured in his 7th game of the football season with a torn labrum (2 anchors to repair). He had the surgery in early Novemenber so we're very nervous about the possiblity of a medical DQ. We're hoping that during the visit we can discuss this with the appropriate Academy staff.

Thanks again everyone.
 
Loews is in a great location as well as being very pro-NAVY.. an easy 12 min walk to USNA..they also have the little electric shuttle cars (similar to golf carts with seating for 6) that take guests and tourists around DTA area..... very GOOD Choice BoCoMo :thumb: Be sure to keep Larry Mullen informed (on the DoDMERB site in this forum) if your candidate does receive a Med DQ...Larry must have a magic wand that can often clear an easier path thru hills of DoDMERB red tape....he's assisted many candidates and families on this forum thru the years , including my 2/C. Good Luck with the CVW and your son's appointment !
From another Show -Me state resident :thumb: !

:director: GO NAVY !
 
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