Candidate Visit Weekend

2028Mom said:
My DS is attending CVW the end of April. Would love to hear any suggestions/feedback from those who attended this past weekend.
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Also, have your son bring a reusable water bottle, so he has water. Forgot to bring mine and had to buy one from a vending machine and use it as my water bottle.
 
brobaes said:
Definitely a fun experience for me and I’m grateful that I went up. I would suggest that your son gets to know his plebe and ask him any questions he has about the academy. Super lucky that I got some great plebes as my roommates and definitely grateful to meet them.

When I was up there this weekend, there were drags that would immediately go to their cot and use their phone until they went to sleep at night. On the other hand I would have conversations with my plebe until 12:00 AM and they were usually funny and informative.

Also, they offer optional CFAs for Candidates now so if your son wants to do his CFA at the CVW he is welcomed to.
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Thank you so much for the feedback. Especially about the phone. I am driving him, so since he doesn’t have a need to contact me, I might go ahead and keep his phone. I am a teacher and we get so frustrated at how kids spend their free periods on their phones and have seemed to have lost the art of face to face conversations. I commend you for taking advantage of the downtime you had with your hosts.

Also could to know about the CFA. DS has been preparing thinking he would just take it this summer, so if it is offered his weekend great, if not he will stick with plan A.
 
2028Mom said:
Thank you so much for the feedback. Especially about the phone. I am driving him, so since he doesn’t have a need to contact me, I might go ahead and keep his phone. I am a teacher and we get so frustrated at how kids spend their free periods on their phones and have seemed to have lost the art of face to face conversations. I commend you for taking advantage of the downtime you had with your hosts.

Also could to know about the CFA. DS has been preparing thinking he would just take it this summer, so if it is offered his weekend great, if not he will stick with plan A.
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You’re very welcome!!

I think that he should keep his phone though, since I was texting my plebe about where I was, etc, and taking pictures of the Academy.
 
brobaes said:
I would suggest that your son gets to know his plebe and ask him any questions he has about the academy.
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Great advice! Go even further by talking with youngsters, who’ve completed their first summer training. With 2/C mids, who’ve signed their 2-for-7. With firsties, who’ve received their service assignments. You’ll get a more complete view that way.

brobaes said:
When I was up there this weekend, there were drags that would immediately go to their cot and use their phone until they went to sleep at night.
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Yikes, what a waste of time and money! Of course, you should respect that your plebe may have things they must prioritize. But going into a cocoon is no way to spend CVW. If your mid is busy, see the advice above.
 
2028Mom said:
My DS is attending CVW the end of April. Would love to hear any suggestions/feedback from those who attended this past weekend.
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I came back from my visit yesterday. It was such an amazing experience and it's definitely raw. I think I needed the experience because it helped me deglamorize the students there, in a way they are still human. My roommates were not very fond of eachother which in all honesty, it opened my eyes that not everyone at the academy gets along w eachother despite the struggles they all face together. So overall, it was a very raw experience and it think it's important to see for anyone that is trying to attend the Naval Academy.

I was also fortunate enough to switch around different companies and each company definitely has their own traditions and overall feel. The company you get into along w your host will most likely determine how youll be spending your weekend so I reccomend talking to multiple different plebes from different companies so they can also take you around. I actually spent majority of my time w other people that were not my host, I only followed my host to their classes and when I was in their dormitory but otherwise, so many other students wanted to take me around.

Another thing I wanted to add, try to talk to a upperclassman!! It's important to talk to students there that have already gone through plebe year and I was fortunate enough to get the #'s of everyone I talked too as well. The upperclassman I talked to was willing to answer all my questions and take me around the campus (which we didn't get to due to the rainy day). He also told me to not base my experience and perspective based off the plebes POV because they've only experienced the academy for a couple months and they call it the "plebes view."

Overall, I would say just try to talk to a lot of people!
 
TIME2GO said:
DS signed up and paid for a flight himself. Attending CVW 3/2-3/4. Advice on transportation from BWI to USNA and back for minor traveling alone. Are their any documents needed to be signed by parents and can they be signed prior to arrival? Do you recommend a sleeping bag or sheets and blanket? Is it ok to bring a care basket to plebes in charge of your visit? Is there anything allowed or not allowed as a thank you? Obviously, if family member can go, it's a great opportunity, but is there anything significant a parent will miss by not going?
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DS made it to CVW this past weekend. He thought it was an excellent experience and was very glad he was given the opportunity to attend. This is his viewpoint.

Most parents do go but you do not need to be there. My son did just fine alone but thought it would have been nice to have a parent for the initial welcome and to fill the time since his flight was quite early. We were able to make arrangement with a family member for drop off and pick up. There was a mix of junior and seniors in attendance. He wore khakis with a button down shirt and comfortable in his choice. However, he said many candidates wore sweats or lounge wear.

Plebes and midshipmen went out of their way to make sure he had his questions answered and got to see and experience as much as possible. Every hour of the day is used and plebes are worn down. Some just needed a bit of peace and a nap and were not as eager to converse.

DS attended PT with a few other candidates from his company but could only watch, They were NOT allowed to participate. Push ups - the amount they do is insane.

He attended classes and was impressed by the set up of the classroom environment and felt his academic preparation was on track.

He was able to meet and do a run with one of the sports teams. The weather was terrible but he was grateful for the experience and getting his workout in.

The candidates were asked, somewhat last min, if they wanted to do the CFA. A lesson in being prepared for the unexpected. It was a surprise to many, even the Plebes, that is was offered over the weekend. He choose to give it a try but will redo it at SS if given the opportunity. It was a chance to see where he's at and where he can improve.
 
TIME2GO said:
DS made it to CVW this past weekend. He thought it was an excellent experience and was very glad he was given the opportunity to attend. This is his viewpoint.

Most parents do go but you do not need to be there. My son did just fine alone but thought it would have been nice to have a parent for the initial welcome and to fill the time since his flight was quite early. We were able to make arrangement with a family member for drop off and pick up. There was a mix of junior and seniors in attendance. He wore khakis with a button down shirt and comfortable in his choice. However, he said many candidates wore sweats or lounge wear.

Plebes and midshipmen went out of their way to make sure he had his questions answered and got to see and experience as much as possible. Every hour of the day is used and plebes are worn down. Some just needed a bit of peace and a nap and were not as eager to converse.

DS attended PT with a few other candidates from his company but could only watch, They were NOT allowed to participate. Push ups - the amount they do is insane.

He attended classes and was impressed by the set up of the classroom environment and felt his academic preparation was on track.

He was able to meet and do a run with one of the sports teams. The weather was terrible but he was grateful for the experience and getting his workout in.

The candidates were asked, somewhat last min, if they wanted to do the CFA. A lesson in being prepared for the unexpected. It was a surprise to many, even the Plebes, that is was offered over the weekend. He choose to give it a try but will redo it at SS if given the opportunity. It was a chance to see where he's at and where he can improve.
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Thank for the info on the CFA. My son will attend CVW at the end of April.
 
TIME2GO said:
DS made it to CVW this past weekend. He thought it was an excellent experience and was very glad he was given the opportunity to attend. This is his viewpoint.

Most parents do go but you do not need to be there. My son did just fine alone but thought it would have been nice to have a parent for the initial welcome and to fill the time since his flight was quite early. We were able to make arrangement with a family member for drop off and pick up. There was a mix of junior and seniors in attendance. He wore khakis with a button down shirt and comfortable in his choice. However, he said many candidates wore sweats or lounge wear.

Plebes and midshipmen went out of their way to make sure he had his questions answered and got to see and experience as much as possible. Every hour of the day is used and plebes are worn down. Some just needed a bit of peace and a nap and were not as eager to converse.

DS attended PT with a few other candidates from his company but could only watch, They were NOT allowed to participate. Push ups - the amount they do is insane.

He attended classes and was impressed by the set up of the classroom environment and felt his academic preparation was on track.

He was able to meet and do a run with one of the sports teams. The weather was terrible but he was grateful for the experience and getting his workout in.

The candidates were asked, somewhat last min, if they wanted to do the CFA. A lesson in being prepared for the unexpected. It was a surprise to many, even the Plebes, that is was offered over the weekend. He choose to give it a try but will redo it at SS if given the opportunity. It was a chance to see where he's at and where he can improve.
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Great input. Thanks!
 
Texark147 said:
Thank for the info on the CFA. My son will attend CVW at the end of April.
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Awesome! I think you get out of it whatever you want. Some kids sat back, some jumped at opportunities as they came up. As OP mentioned, a water bottle is a must. Some form or electronic is needed if you want to purchase anything from the gift shop. DS had cash with him and was surprised that they wouldn't take is
 
TIME2GO said:
DS attended PT with a few other candidates from his company but could only watch, They were NOT allowed to participate. Push ups - the amount they do is insane.
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Interesting. That is a totally different experience than my DS had this weekend. He attended morning PT/workouts with his company and performed all the same exercises. His company was also participating in a "lunges" contest within their battalion and he jumped right in a did as many lunges as his body would allow.

Overall, he had a great experience and is definitely looking forward to NASS in June.
 
My roommates were not very fond of each other which in all honesty, it opened my eyes that not everyone at the academy gets along w each other despite the struggles they all face together.
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One thing you learn at USNA is to live with people you may not love, or even like. To this day, one of my roommates remains my BFF. The other three I haven't spoken to in 20 years. They're fine people -- we're just not friends.

Plebes have it a bit rougher. Typically, as you get more senior, you have a lot of choice in roommates. That said, there's always "the guy" or "the gal" that no one wants to room with, yet someone's got to do it. Good life lesson in terms of getting along with people.
 
2028Mom said:
Thank you so much for the feedback. Especially about the phone. I am driving him, so since he doesn’t have a need to contact me, I might go ahead and keep his phone. I am a teacher and we get so frustrated at how kids spend their free periods on their phones and have seemed to have lost the art of face to face conversations. I commend you for taking advantage of the downtime you had with your hosts.

Also could to know about the CFA. DS has been preparing thinking he would just take it this summer, so if it is offered his weekend great, if not he will stick with plan A.
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Your child may need their phone. Last year at CVW, my DD was given her plebe’s name/cell number at the gate when she checked in and told to put it in her phone so she could call her plebe after the introductory period was concluded.
 
Would anyone happen to know why a candidate would be offered two CVW's? This happened to me (One in March and October), and I've always wondered why some kids were given two. It's evident based off of some other posts, that this was not accidental, but I just wanted to bring it up in this forum.
 
OK2024 said:
Interesting. That is a totally different experience than my DS had this weekend. He attended morning PT/workouts with his company and performed all the same exercises. His company was also participating in a "lunges" contest within their battalion and he jumped right in a did as many lunges as his body would allow.

Overall, he had a great experience and is definitely looking forward to NASS in June.
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That is interesting. Be prepared for everything and expect nothing.
 
Just a side note...going to a CVW in late winter/early spring can be very different than if you go early fall (which many seniors do). My DS who went in September (Friday of Labor Day weekend)....that Plebe was very serious/timid...if you know what I mean. My DS, as a junior, went in March and had a different experience with the Plebe as the Plebe was much more comfortable with life on the Yard. Furthermore, my junior DS...he also got a September CVW his senior year. We have no idea why...but he went both times.
 
RIPeWAFFLES said:
Would anyone happen to know why a candidate would be offered two CVW's? This happened to me (One in March and October), and I've always wondered why some kids were given two. It's evident based off of some other posts, that this was not accidental, but I just wanted to bring it up in this forum.
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Some have stated that being offered a spring CVW as a senior had some significance in the past and was "a good sign" but now "not so much". Seems like a black box with a non-priable lid. But I cannot believe that it is simply some random act of the admissions board. The random act hypthesis invokes an unsatisfying degree of cognitive dissonance. Probably some data spelunking could shed some light but I have not seen a post which offered any explanation for your inquiry.
 
RIPeWAFFLES said:
Would anyone happen to know why a candidate would be offered two CVW's? This happened to me (One in March and October), and I've always wondered why some kids were given two. It's evident based off of some other posts, that this was not accidental, but I just wanted to bring it up in this forum.
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No idea, my son went to CVW in Oct and was offered another CVW for the spring and this was after he received an appointment. Maybe they're they're giving him another chance because they really want him (not a recruited athlete).....he accepted his appointment so we don't plan to be back in Annapolis until June 27 for I-Day on the 29th.
 
Does anyone know of any shuttles that go from BWI to the Yard? What are the most efficient transportation methods for DD's 27-29 April CVW? [Just found out that being 17 may hinder her Uber/Lyft options.]
 
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