overnight visit questions

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proudmama

5-Year Member
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Nov 4, 2009
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Lots of good news, things are beginning to feel more and more real... :biggrin:

Medical Waiver was received today, so with the LOA and the Nomination in hand we are getting pretty close... big smiles 'round the dinner table tonight!

My son will be going to USMA for his overnight visit in January... not sure exactly what to expect... what does he need to take and wear? As parents what do we need to wear?

Which airport(s) are best to use?

Thanks in advance!

Proudmama
 
Wear comfortable warm casual clothes (collared shirt). The parents will go on a small tour while your son will follow a Plebe around from about 0930 until the next day at about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. He should bring some spare clothes and gym clothes in case his Plebe has a gym class or some kind of training as well. A book or some form of entertainment might help during ESP (evening study period) as it can be busy depending on the time of the year.
 
Our experience was that using the local airport, Stewart International (Newburgh 12 miles away) or,second choice, White Plains, was far easier and more predictable (even with flight transfer) than attempting to fly into any of the three NYC airports and driving.
 
Proudmama - I don't know what state you are in but coming from the west coast it is hard to get flights into Stewart or White Plains. Another option, which I used for my son's candidate visit was Albany. The airport is small and the people are friendly. It is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive but there was little traffic and no stress.

If you are going to fly into one of the big airports I would recommend Newark. I have a personal aversion to driving in NYC so Newark is a little less scary for me.

For the visit parents should wear business casual. They won't kick you out, but you will fit in better if you wear something nicer than blue jeans. No need to wear a dress unless you want to, slacks and a blouse are fine. Wear comfortable shoes to walk in too!
 
Albany is a great option. Car rentals are usually cheaper and the drive is straight down the thruway.
If you use Southwest they fly into Albany and LGA. I like SWA because if the east coast is socked in by the blizzard of the decade in January you can change your flight and visit without penalty.
 
All the above advice is great and I'd add in; go there a day early to get the lay of the land. Find the Administration building on Thayer Rd. and the 'Class of 1956' room, (I'm pretty sure it was 1956) it's the room they'll have you wait in before check in.
Also familiarize yourself with the Buffalo Soldier Parking lot bus station and find the times it's running, you won't be able to park near the Thayer Rd. office and it's a long walk for a January day. The Buffalo Soldier parking lot is off to the left of the main gate on Thayer Rd.

Have a great time! :thumb:
 
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