Cadet for a Day

CGA17

10-Year Member
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May 26, 2010
Messages
171
Hey!

I'm going on Cadet for a Day this coming month, as I didn't get into AIM but was invited to this...pretty excited! I just had a few questions:

1. Can I schedule my interview during this visit?

2. What should I expect? Anything to bring that wouldn't be expected?

Any advice to get the most out of this weekend would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Hey!

I'm going on Cadet for a Day this coming month, as I didn't get into AIM but was invited to this...pretty excited! I just had a few questions:

1. Can I schedule my interview during this visit?

2. What should I expect? Anything to bring that wouldn't be expected?

Any advice to get the most out of this weekend would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Don't need to bring anything extra (although my mom brought a bag full of candy for the cadet I beansprouted with).

Ask questions and get a good feel for how the place is. Cadets tend to not "sugar coat" it, and they should be honest with you. Ask them about the good and the bad.

It's a blast and in the end, it really helped with my decision making process.
 
Visit

TT, following is what I posted in another thread about another male scheduling his visit and what my DS has done for his. I believe that all bean sprouts can request an interview:

Now that DS is registered, I suggest that he contact Admissions to try to customize his trip so that he can get the most out of it. My DS asked to be paired with a cadet who is majoring in engineering and is on the baseball team. He also asked for an interview and to attend a baseball team fall practice. Admissions replied that they will try to accomodate his requests and that he should contact the baseball coach about observing the practice. He's not sure about engineering as a major, so the visit is a good chance to learn more about it. We've heard that time management is critical, so being paired with a baseball player will help him learn how the players juggle the time and energy commitment to the sport with everything else. No guarantees that his request for the pairing can be accomodated, but I don't think it hurts to ask and could make the visit especially helpful.

We visited the campus in February, so he will make the trip by himself. If I hadn't been there before, I would want to visit the campus with him. The Navy has an interesting submarine museum in nearby Groton with tours of a retired submarine available. That could be a way to spend the afternoon.
 
Admissions Interview - Correction

TT, I was just looking at the confirmation email for DS' visit so that I can make his travel arrangements. The email states in part:

During your visit, your cadet host will conduct your admissions interview. There is no further action required on your part to schedule your interview. The Admissions Officers will not conduct interviews during the Cadet-for-a-Day program.
 
Thanks and some questions

Thanks for the info!

Probably going to check out the D&B + Tennis program and stop by admissions to meet new Admissions officer. Going in 2 weeks--pretty excited.

Didn't get into AIM, hoping this is equatable for AIM and admissions... is it?

(Even if it isn't still looking forward to learning more)

Will I be doing any PT while I'm there? Like the PFE?

Thanks!
 
Although a high percentage of AIMsters get appointments, not going to AIM won't work against you. For example, my son didn't go and he got it and graduated.

As far as PT at CFAD, I don't think you do any and definitely they don't give you the PFE test. You may attend a sports practice but only as an observer.

Overall it's a great way to get a feel for life at the Academy. Good luck.
 
Answers to Some Questions

DS' confirmation email says nothing about the PFE and says that gym clothes are optional.

As to cadet-for-a-day being equitable to AIM, a cadet told us he thought that cadet-for-a-day was preferable because it gives a candidate a good view as to what cadet life is like, while AIM gives one a taste of what swab summer is like. Also, you get to have your admissions interview during your visit.

I recall that there were about three times as many applicants for AIM as there were spots. The lottery seems as fair a way as any for choosing among qualified applicants (although I think they appropriately give some preferences, such as those who live too far away for just an overnight visit during the school year).

That said, we are finding that the AIM application asks for more than some college applications. By applying to AIM, you showed early interest, backed by a fair amount of work to complete the application, and they already know you pretty well through the essays and letters of recommendation that were part of your AIM application. That request resulted in an invitation to visit. You're on a good path.
 
Thanks for the detailed responses. Looking forward to it:biggrin:
 
Cadet for a Day program begins today, can't wait to hear the reports tomorrow.
 
They sent it out in a power point LITS. In a week or two our class is going to be meeting with the people who'll make our rings. I'm pretty happy with how our crest turned out.
 
Help

Are CFAD and AIM mutually exclusive or can one possibly do both? For example, AIM as a rising senior then CFAD as an actual senior?
 
Are CFAD and AIM mutually exclusive or can one possibly do both? For example, AIM as a rising senior then CFAD as an actual senior?

You can do both, but only if you've already been accepted can you come and do CFAD if you've done AIM. That occurs during the spring.
 
They sent it out in a power point LITS. In a week or two our class is going to be meeting with the people who'll make our rings. I'm pretty happy with how our crest turned out.

It's good to be happy with your crest. I think it looks good. It's going to be with you for a long time. I like mine too. Although, the 2006 crest has the 123' on it....

I called Josten's and got my crest, but it's an old, penned one....not digital, so i guess I'll stick with the photo.
 
Are CFAD and AIM mutually exclusive or can one possibly do both? For example, AIM as a rising senior then CFAD as an actual senior?

You can do both, but only if you've already been accepted can you come and do CFAD if you've done AIM. That occurs during the spring.

Just to clarify - Yes, they are mutually exclusive.

The Cadet For A Day program in the Fall is only available for students that did NOT participate in the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) Program.

There is a separate program in the Spring (not CFAD) for those who have full or conditional appointments, known as "Academy Experience."

:cool:
 
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