Campus visit- and timing

peppypea

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Feb 2, 2017
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We would like for our DS to visit campus to be SURE he really wants this (I'm sure he does, but better safe than sorry!)

Sadly, NONE of the times for guided tours work for us: my husband wants to attend with him (bonding) and both of their schedules are incredibly finite. At this point, the only time that works well for both men is early August- DS is attending a big running camp in the second week of August, then we start getting into back to school territory. DS has a very rigorous schedule for his senior year and he worries about taking time off of school- falling behind a day or two can be such a problem. Not to mention DH's work schedule is nearly as hard to jostle as DS's.

So, armed with all the aforementioned information should we:
a. have the guys visit in early August
b. send the boy down by himself to tour with my brother who lives in the area in the Autumn
c. skip it
d. choose your own answer

As always, I appreciate everyone's opinions and experience! Have a spiffy day!
 
Have you called USAFA admissions and asked if there would be any options for a tour outside of the normal scheduled ones? They may be willing to offer a tour since in early August they have not started classes yet and there may be some availability. If that doesn't work early August still might be a good time to just visit on your own. If the timing works out you could see events like Acceptance Day and the chaos surrounding that.

Personally, I would wait and try to go tour while classes are in session even if it means missing a day or two of school. Seriously, he should be able to plan for and recover from a couple of days of missed classes.

Stealth_81
 
Per Stealth_81 - call USAFA Admissions for options - I have recommended it to a few candidates and someone from admissions has always stepped up. USAFA is a beautiful campus, but a great deal of cadet life is hidden from the tourists. (at USNA the tourists walk all over the Yard, but at USAFA the Cadet area is largely off-limits to tourists.)
 
DS did not visit USAFA until April 5 with appointment in hand and April 15 deadline. Wish it had happened sooner but logistics and HS schedules did not permit. We left FL spring break trip a day early and flew from Ft Lauderdale to DEN before returning home. Cost $$ but I didn't feel right not getting him there in person before a lifetime decision.

Bottom line is if he is serious about applying then get there for one of the sanctioned tours during the Academy school year. It is a much deeper exposure vs. walking the public campus areas.

On related note consider the local weather; its nice to have extra day to see the area. DS and I did Garden of the Gods, drove up Pikes Peak, and climbed the Manitou Incline in a [very busy] half day before driving back to DEN day after the campus visit.

USMA offers overnite visits where they bunk with cadets; don't think USAFA does this ?

As stated missing a day or two of HS is not ideal but at some point the long term end game has to take priority. Your DS can get assignments and notes online and keep up; teachers are often understanding when it comes to college visit needs [especially SAs.]

CO Springs is nice but its not 'Trophy Point at sunset over the Hudson with West Point band and fireworks' nice . . . Go Army !!

IMG_5225.JPG
 
USMA offers overnite visits where they bunk with cadets; don't think USAFA does this ?

USAFA does offer this as well. Additionally, there are programs where USAFA might even invest in your DD/DS's travel expenses for them to visit for a couple of days during the academic year.
 
Have you called USAFA admissions and asked if there would be any options for a tour outside of the normal scheduled ones? They may be willing to offer a tour since in early August they have not started classes yet and there may be some availability. If that doesn't work early August still might be a good time to just visit on your own. If the timing works out you could see events like Acceptance Day and the chaos surrounding that.

Personally, I would wait and try to go tour while classes are in session even if it means missing a day or two of school. Seriously, he should be able to plan for and recover from a couple of days of missed classes.

Stealth_81


Thank you, this is incredibly helpful.

I would love to send the kid during the school year, however his dad's schedule is really a problem- and at current there isn't a time on their specific calendar that works with his schedule. (Although, according to the above statement we may be able to make something work.)

Headed to the phone- will report back!
 
To emphasize what was said above, I don't recommend just coming on your own. What the public can access without any special permissions is extremely limited, and if that's all you're going to see you're better off watching a few hours of YouTube videos.
 
I would highly recommend sending him on his own during the school year and before recognition. This is really the best way to get an understanding of what it will really be like. I know there are programs where prospective cadets can stay with a cadet, attend classes and just basically follow a cadet around for a day (I hosted several in my time at USAFA). This is also cheaper because it is basically just the flight cost. Not sure what qualifies someone for that, but the next best option would be to send him on his own and set up a tour with a cadet independently. I would bet there is someone on here that would let him tag along for a day, or could help work that out (again, this was fairly common when I was a cadet)

As for missing school, I know how painful it is to miss high level classes, but as long as the date is planned well ahead of time, a little extra work in the weeks leading up to the trip can allow him to get ahead and better handle the missed classes. This is a useful skill in itself and will serve him wherever he ends up, but especially at USAFA. The schedule is hectic and to do well, you really need to use all the time you have effectively, which means constantly working to try and stay ahead.
 
If he is a likely DI athlete, contact coach now. Some fencers I know had their expenses paid for (back in the day) including airfare, for a look-see. We went as a family in April, back when USAFA had "Orientation" (A great program, sorely missed! Hi Hornet!).

While it is nice if Dad and Son can bond, they can't both be invited to sit in on a class, nor stay over in Vandy.

When you do go, recall: dress appropriately. Khakis with nice shirts for guys.
 
Might I suggest Dad clear a couple days on his schedule so he can "bond" with his kid? I would say this visit is pretty important.
 
If he is a likely DI athlete, contact coach now. Some fencers I know had their expenses paid for (back in the day) including airfare, for a look-see. We went as a family in April, back when USAFA had "Orientation" (A great program, sorely missed! Hi Hornet!).

While it is nice if Dad and Son can bond, they can't both be invited to sit in on a class, nor stay over in Vandy.

When you do go, recall: dress appropriately. Khakis with nice shirts for guys.
If USAFA is recruiting your daughter they will pay entirety of her visit with two parents. Very good idea before committing
 
If USAFA is recruiting your daughter they will pay entirety of her visit with two parents. Very good idea before committing

In some cases if your DD/DS is being recruited USAFA will pay for the visit - but that is not the majority of 'recruits' Being a 'recruited' athlete to a service academy can and does mean a lot of things. Also budget constraints require coaches to be prudent about how those funds get spent.

It certainly doesn't hurt to speak to the coach about them paying for the trip, but 'being recruited' does not always equate to 'they will pay the entirety of her visit with 2 parents'.
 
If USAFA is recruiting your daughter they will pay entirety of her visit with two parents. Very good idea before committing

This is not in my experience. I know of many recruited athletes, particularly for non-revenue sports. ONLY the student's way was paid, not the parents'. Parents are welcome to pay their own way, including lodging & food. Before you and your prospective Div I athlete agree to this all-expense-paid vaca, please double check NCAA rules, then check a third time.

Things may have changed (Hey, I'm a grandmother now, and when my kids were there, I was considering allowing them to have a date), but you really need to be sure before you go on a trip like this.
 
If he is a likely DI athlete, contact coach now. Some fencers I know had their expenses paid for (back in the day) including airfare, for a look-see. We went as a family in April, back when USAFA had "Orientation" (A great program, sorely missed! Hi Hornet!).

:groupwave:
 
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