Should I visit the campus?

FlyingWings

FlyingWings

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Jun 30, 2017
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I live in Ohio and Colorado is a bit of a hike. Is it worth the money to travel there to visit the campus? (I was able to attend NASS and was wondering whether that was representative enough of other service academies.)

Thanks.
 
You can do as we did and apply and go visit if accepted. They have a special appointee tour each April for incoming cadets. The campus is very different from USNA and has a much different feel. I would recommend a visit before you accept an appointment.
 
If you are anticipating playing on any D1 Sport team, contact the coach ASAP. They may be able to bring you to CO on a recruiting trip (this was true for my son. I'll let you guess the sport).

If not, I would wait until the orientation - April-ish? You can see a lot online. We live in PA and it's $$$ for that travel, whether by air or car.
 
kinnem said:
fencersmother said:
They may be able to bring you to CO on a recruiting trip (this was true for my son. I'll let you guess the sport).
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My beer is all over my screen. Thank goodness I read this in the late afternoon otherwise it would be coffee, and that stains. :D
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Kinnem, you should be more en garde of that happening. ;)
 
BBQ-Devil said:
The campus is very different from USNA and has a much different feel. I would recommend a visit before you accept an appointment.
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+1 BBQ-Devil.......From my perspective, this is really good advice! (As an aside OP, we're in Ohio as well so I can empathize about the costs of travel to Colorado) We were confronted with exactly this situation back in the day. I had insisted on the visit and his experience completely changed DS's mind on the direction he was going. Took me by surprise but in the end it took all the angst out choosing for him and he was clear. Same for WP.

IF you can, do it before you accept.
 
One visit and you will know right away if it is for you.

Do all you can do for a visit.

You should be able to do a three day trip for $500 with airfare and hotel.
 
fencersmother said:
If you are anticipating playing on any D1 Sport team, contact the coach ASAP. They may be able to bring you to CO on a recruiting trip (this was true for my son. I'll let you guess the sport).

If not, I would wait until the orientation - April-ish? You can see a lot online. We live in PA and it's $$$ for that travel, whether by air or car.
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I would add, if you are invited on a D1 recruiting trip, try not to hang your hat on this. Our DS was invited on a D1 recruiting weekend. Although room and board were provided to him and parent, airfare was not in the scope for this situation......Anyhow, please don't rely on this as a high probability that you will be granted an appointment to USAFA. Just go and take in as much information as you can.
 
My DS said had he visited sooner (not after being accepted) it would have been his first choice. We live in DE and it was a hike too, but well worth the trip. He also attended NASS and this academy is so different that Annapolis.
 
We live in Oregon- we were so glad we visited. Be prepared, when you visit, you will lose some of your heart to the campus- it is breathtaking.
 
We live in Arkansas. I took my DD her Sophomore year. She was leaning towards West Point and the visit changed her mind. She now attends USAFA as a part of the class of 2023. In her latest letters, she loves it so far and loves her squadron. The visit is well worth it in my opinion.
 
bizzy1013 said:
We live in Arkansas. I took my DD her Sophomore year. She was leaning towards West Point and the visit changed her mind. She now attends USAFA as a part of the class of 2023. In her latest letters, she loves it so far and loves her squadron. The visit is well worth it in my opinion.
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PREPARE FOR VICTORY- Class of 2023! (My BC is a Flying Tiger!)
 
I believe if any way possible you need to visit, as this is a major decision and one you want to ensure is the right one for you. My DS visited both USAFA and WP along with attending SLE at WP last year. Ultimately in the end he chose USAFA and is a part of the class of 2023
 
If you can do so I highly recommend it. My DS had USNA as his top choice and was invited for a two night stay there and was still set on it. He was then invited for an overnight stay at USMA and we went basically so he could rule it out and confirm his ranking as USNA being first, but that trip completely changed his perspective. He is now about to start his Yuk year at West Point. Coming from Mississippi, they were both decent trips as there are no direct flights anywhere from here. They say when you die in Mississippi you still have to connect in ATL to get to heaven.
 
By all means visit if possible. My grandson's experience parallels Texan in MS's DS with USNA. Grandson attended USNA's summer session, loved it and applied to USAFA as a 2nd choice. We're from Arizona so he did not visit USAFA initially.

Upon receiving appointments to both, he decided that he should at least take a look at USAFA. He did so, coming away very impressed, not just the campus but what AF had to offer. He made a 2nd trip to USNA and in the end, accepted the USAFA appointment. The visit changed his mind. He just finished his first year and has absolutely no regrets.

You really should visit, listen to what AF offers, ask questions, and then you can compare. It is a big decision and while any one of the SAs would be a good choice, you should determine which SA and which service branch is the best fit for you.
 
I've been thinking about this. I honestly don't think it is worth it just to fly out and visit, but maybe if I'm in the area.
 
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While I not a medical doctor ... I am thinking that the thin air might affect the body in a somewhat euphoric and/or hallucinogenic manner.
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