overnight visit

mom43boyz

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DS is scheduled for an overnight visit next week. He received his appt. in December, but has yet to return his postcard. He has had a somewhat challenging senior year (in his personal life as well as a situation where his entire team turned against him when each member was questioned about an incident and he followed his morals and honestly gave answers about what he had witnessed.), and has been a little bit back and forth about wether to accept the nomination or not. He took a lot of flack for following what I liken to the honor code and it made for a miserable senior year for him.

Anyway, he decided he wants to go for the overnight and will make his final decision immediately following.

I remember reading somewhere that some of cadets jokingly give the candidates a hard time and basically tell them 'you don't want to come here'.

I was wondering if those who had done overnight visits might be able to give us some insight as to what he can expect.
 
He should visit - it will greatly help him with his decision. My daughter visited two years ago and she never once had a cadet tell her "you don't want to go here".
My daughter had a great plebe and went to class with her - there was a "free" period and they went back to the barracks and just talked for a while about West Point and being a cadet. She was very warmly received.
Your son will get to experience lunch formation and breakfast formation and eat in the Mess Hall. He will basically follow around his plebe.
This is a great time of year because they are just back from spring break and the "mood" is better!

I hope you can go too.
 
When I visited USAFA more cadets told me to not go there, than those at USMA. Only one did at USMA when I visited and it was my friend, he was joking of course. The ones at USAFA Im sure were joking to, just more seemed to be joking about it. Haha.
 
Great! Thanks for the reassurance. DS went to SLS last year and loved it. He was ready to go! But then ran into some challenging times (as I mentioned above) and has just had a hard time making a decision. I hope the visit will help him decide either way.

My husband and I will be going also. I got to briefly see WP when he went to SLS (very briefly - I only got to be there about an hour due to scheduling issues with our flight.) Husband didn't get to go, so we both are looking forward to it, as well as DS.

Thanks again!
 
Great! Thanks for the reassurance. DS went to SLS last year and loved it. He was ready to go! But then ran into some challenging times (as I mentioned above) and has just had a hard time making a decision. I hope the visit will help him decide either way.

My husband and I will be going also. I got to briefly see WP when he went to SLS (very briefly - I only got to be there about an hour due to scheduling issues with our flight.) Husband didn't get to go, so we both are looking forward to it, as well as DS.

Thanks again!

Have fun, Its an awesome place! Especially if you love history like me!
 
Great! Glad you can go. They have a nice briefing for the parents and then one or two upper class cadets will give you a tour. Pay attention - it's "behind the scenes" and you won't get back there until PPW! Take your camera!

If you need suggestions on what to see in your free time let me know!
 
Oh absolutely - give me suggestions!! I know there is much to see, and I don't want to miss anything. I'll definitely be taking my camera.
 
I think the overnight visit is a great decision if your son still has any doubts about attending the USMA. Our son, who is now a firstie, came home from his visit more excited then went he left.

He said the most valuable part of the visit was his chance to meet the other cadets and assess whether they are the kind of guys with whom he wants to spend the next four years. He shadowed a plebe during the visit and said some of the cadets gave him some "plebe year sucks, don't come to West Point" advice. However, when he asked those same cadets if they planned to leave, they all said "Hell no, I'm having too much fun." You may think that's a contradiction, but the cadets don't seem to think so.

Yes, your son's desire to be a military officer and his opinions of the academic, military and leadership programs at West Point are essential. But from what the cadets tell, the most treasured aspects of the West Point experience (and the key to surviving the four years) are the bonds and friendships established between the cadets.

After the visit, ask your son if he thinks this is a group of people he respects and can get to like. If so, go for it. If not, think seriously about another choice.

Hope your son, and you, have a great visit.
 
I think the overnight visit is a great decision if your son still has any doubts about attending the USMA. Our son, who is now a firstie, came home from his visit more excited then went he left.

This was also my son's experience. He received LOAs/appointments from USMA and USNA. He visited USMA and fell in love with the place (my words, not his). He returned even more convinced that it was the place for him. He visited Navy, came home, said that there was no comparison between the two, and immediately sent his commitment card to USMA. The "no comparison" comment related to what he viewed as the difference between the guys/gals he met at USMA as compared to USNA.

He shadowed a plebe during the visit and said some of the cadets gave him some "plebe year sucks, don't come to West Point" advice. However, when he asked those same cadets if they planned to leave, they all said "Hell no, I'm having too much fun." You may think that's a contradiction, but the cadets don't seem to think so.

After "beast" I asked him if, knowing what he knew then, he'd do it over again. He said, "probably not," but when I asked him if he was still sure this was what he wanted to do, he said, "oh, absolutely!"
 
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