suggestions for monday visit to academy

supergirl

5-Year Member
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Sep 14, 2010
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we are traveling to usafa sunday so my husband and i can see the place our ds wants to attend; and so our son can 'shadow' a cadet for the day on monday. we are returning home tuesday - a quick trip with a purpose. son attended summer seminar but we have never seen the academy. son has a nomination, LOA, we are just waiting for the BFE. as parents we really want him to understand what he is considering not because we want him to change his mind but because we want him to make an informed decision. we are not a military family.
any suggestions on places, things, questions we should make sure we do or ask while at the usafa on monday?

also, can we/ should we take the cadet who has to lead our ds around for the day out to dinner?
 
Alright, a question I can actually answer! Your son will most likely be escorted by a male 4 degree (freshman). I've escorted a few candidates this year, and it's a great deal for both the candidate and the cadet. The Cadet gets to be "at rest" (ie not have to run the strips, allowed to talk outside and walk around like a normal person, etc) all day while they take their escortee to their classes, squadron, the gym, Arnold Hall, and anywhere else the candidate wants to go, and the candidate gets a good look at a typical day at the academy.

On the morning of the tour, the candidates and families watch about an hour long admissions brief, then the candidates meet up with their assigned cadet escort in the Library while the family has a separate tour. You will have free time after the parent portion of the tour ends (but you won't be allowed to stay in the cadet area), so most families look at the local sights, go back to the hotel, etc. The cadet escorting your son will wait with him in Arnold Hall at around 3:45 until you arrive. At that time you'll be able to meet his cadet escort/ask more questions. You will not be able to take the cadet to dinner: the cadet will have homework and 4 digs aren't allowed off base on school nights.
 
Weather permitting, and/or if scheduled this time of year, you may want to check noon meal formation.
 
visit to the academy went great - but it was COLD! big snowstorm sunday nite but monday am woke up to blue skies and an impressive picture of the academy in the morning sun nestled against the mountains with pinetrees full of fresh snow. it was 4 degrees. nothing apparently delays the academy. we felt sorry for the parents and potential candidates from florida and texas who also visited the same day.:eek: it was so snowy and cold the 4th degrees had to walk on the marble strips because they were so slippery. son had a great experience with his cadet; we enjoyed our tour and got to see so much more than we got to see on our tour of westpoint. were able to meet a 2nd degree who graduated from ds high school for dinner and got even more information. Best part was ds got home last nite to a message from our congressman telling him congratulations you got an appointment.:thumb:
 
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