CVW feedback

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crair70

5-Year Member
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Feb 7, 2011
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My DS was invited to the candidate visitation weekend last weekend and we accompanied him from CA for this visit. There have been threads about should you go to CVW if attended NASS and so I though I would share our experience to help any of you decide if it is worth making this trip. Plain and simple- GO!!!!

There were about 120-150 kids invited and their was a scheduled for both the candidates and a separate schedule for parents. We attended many of the parents events and met up with our DS for the tour of the STEM labs (excellent). Unlike NASS- this gave my son a true picture of life as a plebe- including getting up in 30 degree temps (remember from CA!!-YIKES) for PT- attending classes and watching the mids try not to fall asleep in class cause they are so tired ,noon formation and eating in Kings hall with 4400 mids, the newly built Kings court (open Fri- Sun and said food was amazing!). He experienced a typical Friday night- hanging in the yard with plebes watching the upperclassman pack and head off for an away weekend. :thumbdown:

He was friends with his plebe from back home so we spent Saturday when he had liberty with him as well and they hung out in DTA Sat night. The plebes paint a true picture of their experience at the USNA- the good and the difficult things and with a lot of encouragement that things will get better as the years go on.

We all know SA is not like going to a typical college. There were several candidates who were at CVW who realized it way probably not the best fit for them. As a parent I could pick them out in the group. A few of them had even attended NASS and liked it but after this weekend realized a civilian college is a better fit-mixed with ROTC. They explained in the briefing that CVW was designed to do exactly that... give the candidate the experience to decide if this is the right fit. It is not part of the evaluation process. The Plebes do a write up on the "drag" and I gather that unless completely negative, it does not get factored into the process much at all.

Talk to your BGO and if you did not receive a CVW, express an interest. I gather that the BGO doesn't determine who attends but can relay this interest to admissions and if they deem the candidate competitive they may extend an offer. In talking to admissions I understand they have another set for Dec (I believe it is full) and then a few in spring. Admissions said they offer CVW to competitive candidates and in our group it seemed that many of the candidates were not completed with their application but pretty far along.

In conclusion, my CA DS did not love the weather-(heavy winds, rain mixed with snow Sat- the coldest weekend yet this fall! go figure!) but LOVED the USNA! For him it affirmed that the USNA is his 1st choice ahead of the USAFA (which he attended SS at and has applied as well) After the long application process he has completed I think he was beginning to lose steam and motivation to retake ACTs and give it one final push and finish up his nom packets which are due Dec 1 (he is 3Q with pres nom already). CVW gave him exactly what he needed... the drive to grind it out and finish strong.
GO NAVY!!
 
This is interesting... had not heard of the CVW. My DS has not received an LOA but wants more than anything to attend USNA. Your suggestion is to have him contact his BGO to express an interest? Do you think that could increase his chances of receiving an appointment? He visited USNA twice, the second time was at summer seminar. Bottom line after attending SS, it was "the best week of his life" and he did not want to go home! I believe he would love the opportunity to attend CVW, especially if it increases his chances.
 
I do not get the feeling it increases his chance of an appointment but more specifically gives the candidate an true assessment of the day to day life of a plebe. Yes, I do think they only provide CVW to competitive candidates since there is a limited number of slots so receiving one is a good sign of USNA "interest" but that is all.
 
Asking for and/or receiving a CVW doesn't increase your chances of an appointment. Many candidates can't do a CVW (for financial or other reasons) and thus it's not a plus or minus in terms of an appointment. Also, there are many more people who want CVWs than get them.

If you are offered a CVW, it is a good -- but not definitive -- sign. B/c CVWs are only given to well-qualified applicants, being selected suggests USNA considers you well qualified.

I've never seen stats on CVW offerees vs. appointees, but I'm quite sure that some who receive CVWs do not receive an appointment. Likewise, not being offered a CVW doesn't mean you won't receive an appointment.

There is also a school of thought that those who attended NASS are less likely to receive an offer of a CVW. It may be true but definitely is not a universal "rule." I've seen people who've been offered both, one, or neither and who have and have not received an appointment. There is no "magic" formula.

Finally, your BGO can only do the same thing you can -- ask your RD for a CVW. The BGO cannot "get you" a CVW. He/she can make a case for why you should get one but can't do much more. As noted, far more people wanting them then there are slots.
 
My kid attended the CVW last weekend. He was able to ask a lot of questions and visit with his counselor in person. With all of the online communication, this was a great chance to put a name with a face.

I told him that Fall in the East is great and he only took a windbreaker. Should have been better prepared. I imagine the base store made some money selling hoodies. They got ours.
 
Perspective in defense of fall in the East ... the last time there was anything close to this in October was 1993! When was the last time CA had a drought? Runaway fire? Earthquake? Bankruptcy? The govinator? :confused::eek::unhappy:

There you go. Enough said. :wink::thumb::shake:
 
Will it necessarily be cold enough to bring along a thick jacket or just a hoodie?
 
It's hard to predict that. Depends on your tolerance - and be sure to check the forecast before you go. It was pretty chilly, but I was fine with a thick shirt and sweater. Then again, I wasn't outside much.

Wait, that's a lie. If your plebe rows crew, you'll probably get to go out on the water while they practice. And it's freezing out there. But they'll give you a very thick and warm jumpsuit thing to wear.
 
honor66 said:
He was able to ask a lot of questions and visit with his counselor in person. With all of the online communication, this was a great chance to put a name with a face.
Click to expand...

Who is "his counselor"? Candidates are assigned "counselors" at the Naval Academy?
 
He has a terrific admissions counselor that he has been working with throughout the app process.

The admissions counselor's name and contact information is listed in his online application. I assume every applicant has a counselor. She was there the day he went to CVW and he got valuable academic and major info.

I have to say that throughout the entire process, the Naval Academy personnel has been very helpful and encouraging.
 
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