Orientation
- Thread starter kpwehope
- Start date
My son and I came in from the Kansas City area and loved it. Very informative briefings from Admiral Worley, several of the deans and department heads, director of admissions, athletics, Sea Year, etc. The open house session gave the kids and parents plenty of time to meet with coaches and folks from many of the support departments at KP. The chance to meet more parents and cadets was also great, too.
Very well done and well worth the trip.... We both came away more convinced than ever that KP is the right choice for him.
Very well done and well worth the trip.... We both came away more convinced than ever that KP is the right choice for him.
My son was there with my husband (jnblucy - I think you had lunch with my husband Doug). I think the visit gave my son more confidence that (a) he has made the right choice and (b) he can handle the work. He appreciated the opportunity to visit with faculty members, the track representative, and the band director (I think he's feeling better about Band Company
). A couple of take-aways:
- They're anticipating that the fees for 2013 will be lower due to additional funding.
- The candidates will be able to phone home on the first Sunday of Indoc rather than the second Sunday.
Since I wasn't there personally (Dan has two younger brothers and I'm not crazy about driving the Cross Bronx
), I'm not sure of the additional take-aways. I know there was a discussion of the pirate situation and what steps are being taken to address it, but I'm just not sure of the details. In all, it was worth the day out of school.
). A couple of take-aways:- They're anticipating that the fees for 2013 will be lower due to additional funding.
- The candidates will be able to phone home on the first Sunday of Indoc rather than the second Sunday.
Since I wasn't there personally (Dan has two younger brothers and I'm not crazy about driving the Cross Bronx
), I'm not sure of the additional take-aways. I know there was a discussion of the pirate situation and what steps are being taken to address it, but I'm just not sure of the details. In all, it was worth the day out of school.
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2009
- Messages
- 20
Open House observations
Thanks for posting your experiences at the Open House. For those of us who weren't able to attend, it makes it easier to "imagine" what it was like. Especially helpful to hear what was said. Does anyone remember the Pirate remarks? I suspect my son is getting comments about how dangerous it is to be a Merchant Marine, etc.... only adding to the anxiety of a 17 yr old embarking on his way in the world. Any other observations? Was the food any better?
Thanks for posting your experiences at the Open House. For those of us who weren't able to attend, it makes it easier to "imagine" what it was like. Especially helpful to hear what was said. Does anyone remember the Pirate remarks? I suspect my son is getting comments about how dangerous it is to be a Merchant Marine, etc.... only adding to the anxiety of a 17 yr old embarking on his way in the world. Any other observations? Was the food any better?
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 158
The Open House was time well spent. It seems that some of the issues mentioned previously on the forum have been resolved; ie toilet paper. After speaking with some of the mids, they reported they felt the food situation was going to improve but they still miss dessert at the noon meal which had been served up until a few months ago. Many said they do the salad bar for lunch and stay away from whatever is put between the bun. So for many it's salad and a glass of water or for the brave ones, the bun and patty and H2O.
With regard to the pirate problem - one of the Academy officers mentioned that this is not a new problem and has been ongoing in that part of the world for 20+ years however the incident involving the Maersk Alabama was the first time they had attacked a US Flag vessel. They cited that the mids are trained to handle a 9mm hand gun (3 hours) and the sound of pistol practice interrupted the presentation as Ackerman is above the pistol range. Although that is not really applicable since they are not armed while onboard ship. They indicated that some of the US Flag vessels are now carrying armed military personnel however, they did not elaborate on how many vessels. Yes, KP kids are travelling in that part of the world and there is danger of piracy in those waters but there wasn't much else other than they are preparing the students to deal with this type of situation. We spoke to a 3rd classman just coming off sea time who indicated they saw alot of small boat activity off the African coast but the ship was not bothered.
It was a good day overall. The kids got to meet some of their future classmates and I can say it only reinforced the decision to attend.
With regard to the pirate problem - one of the Academy officers mentioned that this is not a new problem and has been ongoing in that part of the world for 20+ years however the incident involving the Maersk Alabama was the first time they had attacked a US Flag vessel. They cited that the mids are trained to handle a 9mm hand gun (3 hours) and the sound of pistol practice interrupted the presentation as Ackerman is above the pistol range. Although that is not really applicable since they are not armed while onboard ship. They indicated that some of the US Flag vessels are now carrying armed military personnel however, they did not elaborate on how many vessels. Yes, KP kids are travelling in that part of the world and there is danger of piracy in those waters but there wasn't much else other than they are preparing the students to deal with this type of situation. We spoke to a 3rd classman just coming off sea time who indicated they saw alot of small boat activity off the African coast but the ship was not bothered.
It was a good day overall. The kids got to meet some of their future classmates and I can say it only reinforced the decision to attend.
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2008
- Messages
- 56
I was there with my son Aaron. (Toddman10) It was worth going for us, however you should not feel that you missed any information you will not have. It was very similar to the open house for prospective students that they had in August. The most important things to take away from it were that there is an abundance of academic help as long as a student asks. I kept remining Aaron that if he even thinks he is getting into academic trouble he needs to be proactive and not wait till it is could become a big problem.
These kids will all be very busy. The good thing is that they will all have to support each other and keep each other motivated.
Any funding issues seem to be resolved. It was great to talk to the parents at my lunch table.
If you have specific questions please email.
Larry
These kids will all be very busy. The good thing is that they will all have to support each other and keep each other motivated.
Any funding issues seem to be resolved. It was great to talk to the parents at my lunch table.
If you have specific questions please email.
Larry