Diversity Visitation Program

My son was contacted by the Diversity Recriting Dept fall of his senior year. We never knew they existed until my son received the letter. They were offering to fly him to USAFA and shadow a cadet. We were afraid something had been filled out incorrectly along the way because my son is a white male. We learned The Department of Diversity Recruiting is funded and operated by the Association of Graduates, not USAFA. We were told their recruiting parameters were not based on USAFA's, and there were many criteria that could trigger their involvement. They could not divulge what my son's particular qualifying criteria was, but said they look at things such as geographic area, socio/economic factors, as well as many other factors. I assumed this was a hint! My son was raised in lower economic, single parent household, from a high school that never even had an applicant to USAFA.
My son did fly out for the visit. He never did receive a letter of assurance. He did receive an appointment. He is now a C2C (in his 3rd year, or the equivalent of a junior in the "real world.") He has been an IC athlete, a rugby player, a member of group staff, and just made Dean's list. It's a good program. It allowed my son to make an informed decision that I feel has been, and will continue to be, beneficial to both sides.
For my son and others that receive the benefits of this program and go on to graduate from USAFA, I hope when the phone rings from the Association of Graduates soliciting donations, they dig deep!
Let your ALO know you're interested in the program, and other than that, it's out of your hands. Keep taking your SAT/ACT, get good grades, apply for noms, hug your parents, do your best and line up plan B C D and E.
Best of luck!
 
Hi there -- My daughter was part of the DVP group in November 2011 and is a C4C now. She was called out of the blue by an officer at USAFA...had no idea what it entailed and how she became a member of the group. Her ALO had no inkling it was coming either but I believe my daughter had her full application completed, including ALO recs. When she was up there, she had an absolute blast and stayed in a room with 2 freshmen but became close to all 5 female freshmen in that squadron. The girls gave her tons of advice about being a female at USAFA, how to handle BCT, what to bring, what to look out for, etc. These girls are her friends to this day and her escort from that trip even pinned her at Recognition! She also became close with her DVP group. A couple did not end up coming to USAFA (very highly recruited at the ivy league schools) and several are at the Prep School. My daughter was lucky enough to come up for the USAFA/Army game in which USAFA clinched the Commander in Chief's Trophy! Anyway, after that trip, it was pretty clear to her that she was meant to be there.
The year my daughter participated, they told her that the group of 100 had been cut down to 30 due to budgetary constraints (though there was a separate group specifically for LEAD I believe) so the fact that you are included is fantastic! You don't get an LOA automatically, but from reading up on the program it appears that the success of the program is based on the percentage of kids from the program who actually enter USAFA or Prep. So they wouldn't spend all that money on you if they didn't think you'd be a great fit and a likely appointee.
BTW, this is a far more extensive trip than even the recruited athletes get...NCAA rules are very strict about length of visits, etc. so you are getting an experience that even the top recruit of the football team cannot have. BUT if you are an athlete and want to be on a team and have already contacted the coach of your sport, let the coach and DVP know immediately. My daughter could not see the team except in passing nor have any interaction with the coaches, or else USAFA would have been sanctioned, and USAFA does not play fast and loose with recruiting guidelines.
CONGRATULATIONS AND HAVE A GREAT TIME!
 
Sorry; got so excited I didn't read the initial post carefully. I have heard from people on this forum that they had been recommended but then never received a follow up. I think that participation in DVP is not something you apply for; you are a type of person that they want at USAFA and are willing to spend some time recruiting you. I think that in the past, 80% of the DVP participants have come to USAFA or Prep...these are the numbers published when my daughter went through. I'm sure that the program has changed since my daughter did it only one class ago (AOG fundraising involvement being one). I have also read that USAFA created a program for juniors this past fall, so they are looking to try to "sell" USAFA earlier in the college application process.
Anyway, just some additional information that may help you guys who are interested in how this works.
Aloha.
 
DVP dress code

Hi,

I was just selected to attend the DVP in April. What type of clothes should I pack? Are we allowed to dress in everyday, casual attire? Also, will we go through any type of bootcamp training there?
 
Hi,

I was just selected to attend the DVP in April. What type of clothes should I pack? Are we allowed to dress in everyday, casual attire? Also, will we go through any type of bootcamp training there?

Hi there emilykuo -- My daughter wore neat and conservative school clothes for the trip and good walking shoes. There was no "training" that you're expected to participate in. Jeans (no holes), boots or sneakers are just fine. Don't wear anything revealing or low cut or anything like that. Be conscious that everyone around you is in a uniform. Bring layers as the weather in CS changes quickly. Enjoy!
 
Hi there emilykuo -- My daughter wore neat and conservative school clothes for the trip and good walking shoes. There was no "training" that you're expected to participate in. Jeans (no holes), boots or sneakers are just fine. Don't wear anything revealing or low cut or anything like that. Be conscious that everyone around you is in a uniform. Bring layers as the weather in CS changes quickly. Enjoy!

Would slim-fit/skinny jeans be acceptable? What about khakis? Those are kind of the only things I have, otherwise I'd have to go buy some new pants.
 
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