High school junior weekend invitation

Memphis9489 said:
Your son's BGO interview was conducted "a few weeks ago" and it still has not been entered into the CIS? I would check on that.
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Memphis9489 - we were concerned about this as well - and have asked again for a submission. DS feels everyday that he is losing a "place in line" until this is done - hopefully our most recent request will get it done.
 
So who's going?

Just start this up now....

With two weeks 'till:

Who is going?

I have a junior daughter - Savannah - who will be there.

Anyone else?
 
My daughter just received an invitation letter--very exciting (Oct & Nov dates) ! She is a senior and did attend NASS this past summer. So, what will my D gleen from this visit--besides what she already experienced while at NASS?

Her app is finished, and we are only waiting on the math teacher evaluation. Everything else done!!

Now we are trying to weigh the benefits of sending D, since funds are limited. Will the fact that she attended a CVW be considered a positive sign when her app goes to the board?

Does anyone know if USNA provides a shuttle to and from BWI?

Thanks and good luck to all!!
 
I know of a lot of people who have attended either summer seminar or a visit weekend, but its either one or the other, I don't think I have met a person who has gone to both. It would definitely be seen as a positive on her application, but not a necessity. The biggest thing she would gain would be a feel for the academic days and schedule and how classes go, and how life as a plebe is in the hall. And I really have no idea about the shuttle, sorry. Good luck with the rest of your process; it's a long grind but the most rewarding feeling ever when it's done.
 
Thanks RELEVANT!

The biggest thing she would gain would be a feel for the academic days and schedule and how classes go, and how life as a plebe is in the hall
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That's huge in my opinion!! :thumb:
 
Reply to Lee2015

Lee2015 said:
Thanks RELEVANT!



That's huge in my opinion!! :thumb:
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I agree on that point with you Lee, esp since the reality has set in for many plebes once the academic year starts.

Also, there is no shuttle service between BWI and the USNA. Even the public bus has been discontinued. Bummer. Its supershuttle or private car, not much else.
 
WARNING

Candidate Visitation Weekends (CVW) sometimes give the candidate a false impression of the Naval Academy.

Midshipmen can be incredibly cynical and jaded about life at the Naval Academy to candidates. They may even paint a picture much bleaker than reality. Sometimes they say things that they don't even believe themselves.

"Trust me - you don't want to come here."

"Save yourself and apply to a real school."

"This place sucks!"

The candidate gets bombarded with cynicism and negatively and walks away having drawn the incorrect conclusion that "everybody" hates the Naval Academy.

This isn't every candidate's experience - but it does happen.

Hell, I remember when I was a mishipmen, whenever we saw a bunch of candidates walking together, we would yell out the window, "Don't do it!" Of course, we didn't mean it. We were just clowning around.

A weekend is not nearly enough time or exposure to make a fair evaluation of the Naval Academy.

The Naval Academy just has to be experienced and there is not much that is going to give you much insight. That includes NASS, STEM, and CVW. Of course, that's just my opinion.

OK ... OK ... now it's somebody's turn to preach to me about how their son/daughter had a very positive experience at NASS/STEM/CVW and it was because of that experience that they decided to attend the Naval Academy.

Good for them!

I'm wondering if such people would consider that, sometimes, the candidates are left with the inverse false impression; that the Naval Academy is a very pleasant experience and everybody is happy. It's much like a regular college. It's all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows - which it most definitely is not.

And then they find out ... much later ... when it's too late ... that the Naval Academy is much more challenging than they were led to believe.
 
^^^^

Your correct! I attended a CVW in the spring and I am going again (I know this is unusual but the invited me!) and I saw both sides of the spectrum while I was there.

I went in April when the grind is slowing down... No profesional reports, not much homework, firsties dont care as much... I stayed with three plebes that had it pretty good. They all were excited about summer, content with their conditions, and most of all still happy they came to the Academy.

On the second day in bancroft, I talked to a plebe who wasnt so excited. My plebe was at football practice so he was walking me back to class. We talked and he asked about my application and he said that he thought he had was always busy in High School but it gets way worse. He told me that its a constant struggle to do everything, you never are alone, you never actually have friends because you can't just talk to people, you never sleep because of many different reasons, and in general its not really worth it unless you can find some way to cheat the system (Sports, clubs, or taking easy classes).

I thought about his statement a lot and I now understand his point of view, but I also know that there must be more. People have fun, make friends, and sleep (I did at least). You must way the benefits and decide for your self.

I am not the authority on this matter but make sure, when you go, that you always look at other people, talk to them also:rolleyes:, and find out what they do that they like and eventually you will get a clearer picture of what goes on at the academy.
 
sbbond93 said:
... make sure, when you go, that you always look at other people, talk to them also:rolleyes:, and find out what they do that they like and eventually you will get a clearer picture of what goes on at the academy.
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Yes!

But there's really no point in taking a survey of every midshipman' opinion about the academy; that is, as to whether they "like" it or not. Their answers are going to greatly vary. Much of it is going to be based on their unique experiences and background; which might be quite different than your own.

Some may tell you that the academics are a grind. You may not find it that way.

Some may tell you that there is no social life. But you may make great friends and have a tremendous time.

Some will tell you that Plebe year is horrible. But maybe you have more natural military aptitude and capabilities than the individual you are talking to.

Then you can have the opposite experience, as well. Some might tell you how great it is and then, when you get there, you can't see what's so great about it.

Take the experience with a grain of salt. Use it as information but don't make your decision based on the experience.

For instance, my sons LOVE the academic stuff and do not like the military stuff very much. They HATED Youngster cruise and have already determined that SWO (Surface Warfare Officer) is not for them. It's a learning experience along the way. They've made a few good friends, but there are others they do not associate with very much, mostly because they have different interests and values.

My sons are not into sports very much. Some midshipmen live for sports. For some, sports are more important than grades.

Everybody is different. Contrary to popular opinion, the service academies are not comprised of a bunch of like-minded clones.
 
CVW Visit

My son did both NASS and CVW but we are only a three hour car ride away so cost really wasn't a factor in making the CVW trip. His experience was similar to what Memphis outlined, plebes that were dragging him telling him not to come etc., until he told them that he had already decided to accept his appointment. He said they were more informative after that and gave him some insight to their experiences during plebe summer, the academic year, and felt it was useful. He attended in Feb. two years ago during the dark ages and noticed that the plebes were pretty stressed and tired of the academic load at that point in the year.

For him I think it gave him a more complete picture of life at that academy than he would otherwise have received from just attending NASS which seems to be more of a " fun recruiting " type of exposure to the academy. Nothing is going to provide a candidate with the reality of having made a choice and being there but the more information you can gather the better. If cost is a factor that obviously has to be taken into consideration. Good luck.
 
USNA13DAD said:
My son did both NASS and CVW but we are only a three hour car ride away so cost really wasn't a factor in making the CVW trip. His experience was similar to what Memphis outlined, plebes that were dragging him telling him not to come etc., until he told them that he had already decided to accept his appointment. He said they were more informative after that and gave him some insight to their experiences during plebe summer, the academic year, and felt it was useful.
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That's exactly the way to approach it!

If a candidate attends CVW, undecided whether to attend the Naval Academy, waiting for somebody to advise him what to do, he will be rejected to some degree. The candidate will not be viewed seriously. Once the candidate makes it clear that he IS coming to the Naval Academy - that changes the whole dynamic. The midshipmen will be much more straightforward. The candidate, at that point, in some small way, has become one of them - and they will open up.
 
Having a current Plebe, I would recommend taking other Plebes' opinions during a fall CVW with a grain (or mountain) of salt. They are inundated with assignments along with starting the ac year and have almost no time to themselves. Based on the few short communications that I've had with my Plebe since PPW, Plebe Summer is now a FOND memory. You have to balance the opinions with what the academy is trying to accomplish with Plebes - the need for reasoned decision-making under pressure - they need to prioritize. If a candidate is motivated, invites challenge and understands that there is a reason for all the hoops that the Plebes are made to jump through, then they can balance the possibly negative opinions of Plebes with their own experience during NASS and/or a CVW. My Plebe has likened it to a three-step process; first, get the appointment, second, make it through Plebe Summer, third, make it through Plebe Year. Each succeeding step is steeper, with the third one looking like you're standing at the base of the Green Monster at Fenway, but you just start kicking and clawing your way over it.
 
Thank you everyone for your input/opinions and honesty. Daughter will attend CVW and is very happy to be going back. She understands that not everyone is looking through rose colored glasses! Honestly, I think she just wants another road trip away from home :cool:.
 
fishbowl said:
My Plebe has likened it to a three-step process; first, get the appointment, second, make it through Plebe Summer, third, make it through Plebe Year. Each succeeding step is steeper, with the third one looking like you're standing at the base of the Green Monster at Fenway, but you just start kicking and clawing your way over it.
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I have heard some say that the entire academy experience, from beginning to end, can be broken down into three parts:
1) Plebe Summer
2) Plebe Year
3) the rest of it.

Yes, you have to "kick" and "claw" your way - that's for sure.

Which reminds me of Leonardo DiCaprio's "prayer" in the movie "Catch Me If You Can."

Frank Abignale:
Two little mice fell into a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned, but the second mouse, he struggled so hard that he eventually churned that cream into butter and he walked out. Amen.
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Is anyone going next weekend?

I'm going to bump this up to the top of the list just to see, but is anyone going to the Junior Candidate Visitation weekend on Sept 16th?

PM if you'd like.

thanks
 
We are going on Sept. 16

My son received an invitation 3 weeks ago for the junior candidate visit. I called to rsvp and asked how he got this. They told me it was from the information we sent in to apply for STEM camp. He did not get accepted to STEM but apparently it looked good. Looking forward to the trip but wondering how anyone ever gets an appointment after reading this forum and talking with local parents. Will see some of you next week!! :)
 
Well, how did it go? Interested in hearing reports from everyone! :thumb:
 
Well I can tell you that my son had a great time. He enjoyed staying in Bancroft and going to class with his mid and it has confirmed his desire to attend. Now the process will soon begin.
 
marciemi said:
Well, how did it go? Interested in hearing reports from everyone! :thumb:
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I would have to "ditto" what center56 said. My daughter had a blast while she was there and she now has a clearer path to what her career goals can be. One caveat though, my DD needed some moral support when she came back, as all of the plebes in her room had SAT's in the 2200's. DD may very well get the same, but scores like those started to seem average once she talked it around a bit.
My DD did have a few pointers for whomever is going in the next few months: wear comfortable but respectful clothes and shoes, get involved with everything (some "drags" slept in until 10am!). And our understanding is that - yes there will be an evaluation by your plebe about how your weekend went while you were there.
BTW - bringing a treat (three dozen home made cookies) for her plebe and their roommates broke the ice very quickly! Nearly the entire company came by to introduce themselves after the cookie tin was opened. Very smart idea for whoever suggested it on this forum.
If anyone has a specific question, please post or PM it.

dave
 
Unless things changed from last year, admissions is only interested in the math and english scores, so reports of 2200 on SATs would include the relatively new writing section score. I suggest that your DD take the SAT and ACT a couple of times if finances permit - the academy will count only the highest score in either math or english regardless of when the test(s) were taken. So, for example, if your DD scores 650 in math and 710 in english this fall, then 700 in math and 690 in english next spring, the english score from the fall and the math score from the spring will be the ones that count.
 
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