As I listen/read this discussion, I wonder if some aren't missing what I believe to be the most important point of the CVW, ......helping the candidate make the best choice. Rather than worry about whether an invite is good, bad or indifferent, you should be seeking out the chance to better understand if academy life is for you. In our case, I insisted that my DS visit all 3 Academies before seeking a nomination. In our state, you are almost guaranteed to get a nomination to only 1 academy and they try to give everyone their first choice. My DS was convinced that USMA was the only place for him. He went to soccer camp there, his grandparents live close by and his dad is a USMA grad. That was until, he and I visited Annapolis in May of his junior year. After the visit, he knew academy life was for him and suddenly USNA was a viable option. A visit to USAFA quickly removed them as an option and a visit to USMA made the final decision difficult. From my perspective, the USNA visit was the most beneficial and the most thorough of all three visits. It was the only one of the three that allowed for an over night and they did a much better job of promoting their academic programs, especially the engineering and sciences. Furthermore, the panel discussions were very informative for those parents w/o first hand experience in academy life.
My advice, don't wait on an invite, seek it out. It sends a message that you are serious and that can only help your chances. If you are a Junior, do it now, if you are a senior do it now. Call your Regional Admissions officer and ask.
One point of clarity, USMA does allow over night visits but only after you have been offered an appointment.