CVW Invite

Harleyboys98

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2017
Messages
72
So I️ just got an email from admissions stating that I️ have been invited to attend a Candidate Visitation Weekend either January 25- 27 or February 22-24 in Annapolis, Maryland. Based on prior knowledge from these forums, a CVW was INVITE ONLY. I️ am a current junior. Did anyone else get this? Any thought?
 
CVWs, especially in the spring, are now being targeted toward juniors. It means that, based on what USNA has seen of you to date (SAT scores, h.s. you attend), they believe you to be a competitive candidate. Don't read more into it -- CVWs used to be offered pretty sparingly. The program is much larger now and is offered pretty broadly to competitive juniors. If you're interested in USNA -- or think you might be, this is a great opportunity to see it first hand.
 
CVWs, especially in the spring, are now being targeted toward juniors. It means that, based on what USNA has seen of you to date (SAT scores, h.s. you attend), they believe you to be a competitive candidate. Don't read more into it -- CVWs used to be offered pretty sparingly. The program is much larger now and is offered pretty broadly to competitive juniors. If you're interested in USNA -- or think you might be, this is a great opportunity to see it first hand.

My misunderstanding is that they state, “If you are interested in participating in this experience, please fill out our request for HERE.” Not sure why you would have to fill out a form if it is selection only.

Also, as a junior, summer seminar applications are not available until January 3rd. How would the Naval Academy receive any prior information on me? Thanks for the help:)
 
CVW and Summer Seminar at two different events. You APPLY to attend Summer Seminar and everyone who applies is NOT chosen. You don't APPLY to attend CVW, USNA SELECTS those who they choose to invite, and can now either be juniors or seniors in high school.

USNA might have found about your interest from things like SAT/ACT score submissions, athletic coaches, attending a sports camp or perhaps from something you previously filled out indicating an interest in SA's. Filling out their form is something you would do to ACCEPT their invite and probably asks for additional information such as contact/address information, etc.
 
CVW and Summer Seminar at two different events. You APPLY to attend Summer Seminar and everyone who applies is NOT chosen. You don't APPLY to attend CVW, USNA SELECTS those who they choose to invite, and can now either be juniors or seniors in high school.

USNA might have found about your interest from things like SAT/ACT score submissions, athletic coaches, attending a sports camp or perhaps from something you previously filled out indicating an interest in SA's. Filling out their form is something you would do to ACCEPT their invite and probably asks for additional information such as contact/address information, etc.

Sorry for the confusion as I️ do know the difference between CVW and summer seminar. Thank you for the quick response.

As far as receiving a CVW invitation, is this a good indicator for admission to the Naval Academy? Or is there no correlation?

And being a candidate from Arizona, travel to Annapolis is quite expensive. Granted I️ get accepted into the summer seminar, are attending both of the opportunities similar? Or will I️ get a different experience from both?

Finally, anyone who has attended a CVW, would you like to share to insight on what the experience is like?
 
As far as receiving a CVW invitation, is this a good indicator for admission to the Naval Academy? Or is there no correlation?

Neither. It is an indicator that you are at least competitive for an admission. In the past, being offered a CVW as a senior was considered a "good sign." Now, not so much. Would not go so far as to say "no correlation," but don't read too much into it.

And being a candidate from Arizona, travel to Annapolis is quite expensive. Granted I️ get accepted into the summer seminar, are attending both of the opportunities similar? Or will I️ get a different experience from both?

You will get a different experience from each. NASS is somewhat like a mini-plebe summer. You'll get a sense of marching, PT, Sea Trials, working with a squad -- as well as get to learn about various academic pursuits. But the brigade isn't there. And, you are evaluated by your squad leader -- that can have some impact on whether you are offered an appointment. CVW lets you live in Bancroft hall with a plebe, attend his/her classes, participate in company activities, eat in King Hall, etc. You will see what it's like actually to be a plebe during Ac Year. There is no evaluation done for CVW.

If you can only afford to do one, I'll defer to those who've recently done both as to which was more "valuable."
 
I am a senior, and I did a CVW in early September. I wasn't able to participate in NASS, but the CVW was a great experience. Basically, I just followed my plebe around for two days as a "drag". I participated in a plebe workout, classes, and the other random parts of a plebe's day. I had a great experience, but I think a lot depends on the plebe who you are paired with. For me, the weekend reinforced my desire to attend. There were also some other drags that no longer wanted to attend after seeing the place first hand. Overall, I think it is a great opportunity to see what you might be getting yourself into.
 
Thank you to all of those who have responded.

Regarding which plebe we are paired with, is it random? Do they base it off of academic interest? Or is there an opportunity to choose a plebe we want to be paired with?
 
It is indeed random.
Until this week, I did not know that they expanded this program to include juniors in High School.
Selection must be purely from academic standing data, since you haven't even been able to start a preliminary application.
Did you fill out some "interest survey" (either online or a postcard in the mail) from The USNA?

I believe that there are several threads with information on how to prepare for CVW, including what to bring, how to dress, and what to expect.
Keep an open mind, and enjoy your visit.
 
Thank you to all of those who have responded.

Regarding which plebe we are paired with, is it random? Do they base it off of academic interest? Or is there an opportunity to choose a plebe we want to be paired with?

Hi, ours son attended Summer Seminar, and also a second invite to experience during the school year (while it wasn’t a CVW, it was shadowing a student athlete to experience life as a student). He thought he had a good feel for the academy after SS, but after experiencing life as a student, realized he didn’t. He was MORE excited after his student visit. More comfortable and sure it was a place for him. So if your child is considering attending, I would go to both if at all possible. They are highly different in the insight and perspective that he will get. If you can only swing one, DS’s experience would suggest the CVW. Because that would be what life as a student for 4 years will show him.

Summer Seminar is an experience he will cherish!! For sure a top ten life experience for him (at this age anyhow...)
 
Thank you to all of those who have responded.

Regarding which plebe we are paired with, is it random? Do they base it off of academic interest? Or is there an opportunity to choose a plebe we want to be paired with?

Plebes usually sign up to host for CVW and often like that at the beginning of the academic year as it breaks the monotony. If you know a Midshipman, you and he/she may be able to make arrangements to be paired together. That takes a bit more work on the part of the Midshipman, but I've seen it happen.
 
I am a junior and I was invited to the January or February CVW. My BGO recommend my twin and I, and we are very excited. Once you select a date, you should hear more specifics two weeks after that. Maybe we will see each other!
 
Would it be worthwhile for a HS senior to participate in a CVW in the Spring of their senior year? DD and I were thinking it would... but is this not the case?
 
Would it be worthwhile for a HS senior to participate in a CVW in the Spring of their senior year? DD and I were thinking it would... but is this not the case?

If she has been offered an appointment and she's debating between USNA and plan B, C, D, then yes, attending CVW is a good idea. However, if an appointment has not been offered by March, April at the latest...you may want to rethink CVW as it would be time to solidify plan B. Just my thought...
 
^^^

Agree. The purpose of a CVW is to help a student/candidate decide whether to apply (juniors) or whether he/she wants to attend (juniors and seniors). It does NOT help you in terms of the admissions process in that you don't get extra points for participating nor are you evaluated during your visit. It's offered solely for your benefit.

Thus, as noted above, if your DD is trying to decide between USNA and another SA or between USNA and a civilian school, a CVW may help make that decision. Other than that, it's not very useful for seniors. I do suppose there is one other benefit -- if you're turned down, a visit may help you decide whether you are sufficiently interested/motivated to reapply.
 
I have attended both NASS and, essentially, a CVW (official sports visit; emphasizes the sport practice but still shadows daily life of plebe). At this point, since you don’t know if you will get accepted to NASS, it is safe and smart to accept your CVW. However, having been on both, I feel NASS was more worthwhile.
Both visits are completely different. NASS is a fun, and sometimes scary, way to “become a plebe” and feel out the academy. It is cushioned, however, to appeal to the candidate. Notable to mention that it is competitive to get in, and after doing the math last year, it was around a 17% acceptance rate for my area (Northern VA- highly represented. Arizona not so much so you prob have a much higher chance of getting in.)
As I stated before, a CVW shadows the plebe.
Now, I have had a brother who graduated from USNA and completely described academy life to me, so my conclusions about a CVW are drawn from that in addition to having attended NASS first. There are things you will do at NASS that you won’t get to do at CVW, but there aren’t any things I can think of that a CVW provides and NASS doesn’t (other than real life plebes). Having said that, nothing at CVW surprised me. I feel like I got a really good feel for the USNA at NASS, because at NASS you eat in KH, do PT, and attend classes-which is basically the premise of a CVW.
 
I have attended both NASS and, essentially, a CVW (official sports visit; emphasizes the sport practice but still shadows daily life of plebe). At this point, since you don’t know if you will get accepted to NASS, it is safe and smart to accept your CVW. However, having been on both, I feel NASS was more worthwhile.
Both visits are completely different. NASS is a fun, and sometimes scary, way to “become a plebe” and feel out the academy. It is cushioned, however, to appeal to the candidate. Notable to mention that it is competitive to get in, and after doing the math last year, it was around a 17% acceptance rate for my area (Northern VA- highly represented. Arizona not so much so you prob have a much higher chance of getting in.)
As I stated before, a CVW shadows the plebe.
Now, I have had a brother who graduated from USNA and completely described academy life to me, so my conclusions about a CVW are drawn from that in addition to having attended NASS first. There are things you will do at NASS that you won’t get to do at CVW, but there aren’t any things I can think of that a CVW provides and NASS doesn’t (other than real life plebes). Having said that, nothing at CVW surprised me. I feel like I got a really good feel for the USNA at NASS, because at NASS you eat in KH, do PT, and attend classes-which is basically the premise of a CVW.

So essentially, what I took most out of CVW was that NASS, though more fun and cushioned, was a solid representation of academy life. Shadowing the plebe verified this for me.
 
Husband and son did the cvw his junior year of high school. Great experience. Coming from Texas required airline tickets/hotels. DS and husband flew into DC, rented car, drove to Annapolis, did the CVW. They stayed at hotel near airport and spent an extra couple days touring DC. Took the train. You can register with your congressman for a white house tour. Husband and son had a good experience.
 
Would it be worthwhile for a HS senior to participate in a CVW in the Spring of their senior year? DD and I were thinking it would... but is this not the case?
Most definitely worth your while. My DS attended the last CVW of the year in April of his senior year, after he was offered an appointment. It was his final decision maker.
 
Back
Top