Worth the trip?

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snowieWI3

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My kid is entering 11th grade so we are a year away from the action of life after high school. There is an upcoming Service Academy event in our area and we were wondering if it's worth it for a perspective Jr. to attend to get a feel for the next step (interested in either USCGA or USMMA) or are they primarily for seniors only?
 
snowieWI3 said:
My kid is entering 11th grade so we are a year away from the action of life after high school. There is an upcoming Service Academy event in our area and we were wondering if it's worth it for a perspective Jr. to attend to get a feel for the next step (interested in either USCGA or USMMA) or are they primarily for seniors only?
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You are less than a year away from the application process. AIM at USCGA is next summer. Applications open February, 2020. You should learn everything you can before then. Your DS/DD should be starting to think about the application process now. The service academy event may be a good opportunity to gain more information and if it were my DS/DD, I would suggest that he or she attend. By this time senior year, it is almost too late to be starting the process.
 
The more you know -- about SAs, active duty, the admissions process, careers -- the better off you are. Never miss a chance to capture information, especially in a live setting where you can speak directly with officers, cadets/miss, admissions. And ask them for ideas on how to meet others and learn more. When it comes to SAs and the military, there's no such thing as TMI.
 
Getting info early is a good idea - those events are usually very informative and can help with course and activity planning. Not unusual to see a Sophomore or even Freshman at events.
 
My son attended our Congressman's Service Academy Forum each year of high school. He learned something new and made a new connection every single time. Definitely go.
 
Our DS is a Senior now, and is applying to 4 SA's. He attended every academy seminar he could beginning in 8th grade. Even 2 that were 3 hour drives each way. The more you attend, the more exposure you have to different representatives, active duty members who answer questions and potential sources of nomination. He has seen several of the same faces over the years and has become somewhat of a familiar face to a few. So much so that when he attended Boys State, the head of it (for the Legion) was someone he had met at 4 different years worth of academy seminars. Next year would really be putting you behind the 8 ball so to speak.
Good luck!
 
I have represented USCGA at several SA events in Central NY. USCGA often has representation at these events even though USCGA does not require a nomination. By attending such an event you will almost certainly meet representatives from USMMA, and likely from USCGA. Since both are the smaller siblings to the Big Three, you are also likely to get very personal attention, as the student interest at these events is generally proportional to academy size.
 
It is certainly not too early. A lot of High School juniors get invited to Candidate Visit Weekends (CVW) at USNA, and the same can happen with USCGA and USMMA (or USAFA and USMA, for that matter)
At USCGA there are several overnight campus visit programs (Academy Introduction Mission, Cadet-For-A-Day, Genesis Invitational, and the Academy Experience Program) as well as day visits.
At USMMA there are self-guide tours of the grounds, and also prospective Midshipmen Admissions Tours, extended to candidates who have already applied.

If your son/daughter is interested in the local Service Academy event, it would be time well spent for both of you to ask questions and get more information.
 
I’ve attended 4 over the years, with different DS’s. Each time I have learned something new.
 
FYI - My MOC holds Academy Day at a local military base. In order to be allowed on the base, you must R.S.V.P. on the MOC's web site and provide a driver's license number and some other information. This is to arrange for clearance at the gate to enter the base. You might be barred from entering if you did not make advanced arrangements. Just a heads up in case you might be in a similar situation.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
FYI - My MOC holds Academy Day at a local military base. In order to be allowed on the base, you must R.S.V.P. on the MOC's web site and provide a driver's license number and some other information. This is to arrange for clearance at the gate to enter the base. You might be barred from entering if you did not make advanced arrangements. Just a heads up in case you might be in a similar situation.
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Thank you for that info - and it made me double check where the event is held. It's at a local convention space so I think we'll be good - but just you mentioning that has planted a seed in my head for when we plan on doing some visits in the near future - so thank you. :)
 
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