A visit to the Naval Academy

[kgrmom]

My D and I just returned from 2 days in Annapolis, the primary reason of which was to visit the USNA. As she is is applying and it is so high on her list I wanted to her to see it if we had the opportunity and we did. There is nothing like actually BEING there. We even got to meet with the coach of her sport which was awesome.

While on the tour we were both reminded of some comments on this board about whether or not athletics are important. OMGoodness- the academy is more than proud of it's athletes. Most everywhere you will see evidence of, reminders of or facitilties for their athletics. (No- as civilians we weren't allowed to see everything.) In talking to a rising senior at the academy he admitted that his sport in his Plebe year is part of what helped him through.

It is so unbelievable hot down their right now I was afraid we were going to see formations of kids ready to pass out at any given moment. Fortunately for them, their outside movements are "restricted" because of the heat so all we got to see was roll call at 12:10. Still very cool.

My D loved it- more motivated than ever. And athletics- YOU BET!

 

[jamzmom]

That visit will probably be forever in your memory banks. Pretty cool. Glad you got the chance to lay eyes up there & to see your dd's reaction in taking it all in. Having a sport at the academies is a requirement & I've heard many times how it gives the kids a boost. Sure wish my kid would settle on just one though. I just want to buy a t-shirt that specifies who the heck I am cheering for. They get so many opportunities to try new things & most do. Really really good luck to your dd!!

 

[time2]

Assume your daughter is a senior, so she has missed out on her chance to attend NASS where they live there for a week and get a more in depth overview of the USNA.

However, they also do those overnight/weekend visits that I recall from last Fall when I was there. H.S. students dressed in civilian cloths were around and got to shadow other midshipman as they go to class and follow their regular daily routine.

Also worth looking into. Check the USNA site for more info.

There is also another forum like this one:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/

That seems to get more visits and has lots more information about the whole admission process.

Perhaps this site is newer and hasn't caught on as much yet, but both are worth checking out.

 

[kgrmom]

I will definitely look into the weekend thing. Didn't know about that. My DD is a senior and we missed the NASS thing unfortunately. Although it would have been a tough thing to fit in with school not out until the 3rd week of June.

Maybe you could start petitioning for "multi-sport" t-shirts (removable labels might be good)

The visit will stick for 2 reasons, special not just as a first peek at USNA but a great time for just mom and daughter which doesn't happen very often.

 

[AF6872]

CVW

My daughter also missed out on NASS. She decided late in the year to apply to the Academy. She did attend a Candidate Weekend and loved it. If your son or daughter missed NASS I would strongly suggest applying for Candidate Visit Weekend. My Daughter attended and got to spend time with current Midshipmen, attended classes with them and stayed in Bancroft.

As for Athletics I am not sure. My Daughter lettered in Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Ice Hockey for four years but the Naval Academy does not even have those as club sports. I am sure athletics plays a part in the total points but the participation in any sport seems to count whatever it is. She is class of 2011.

 

[AF6872]

CVW

Just an update. We went for CVW in February and with the wind it must have been a relative twenty below. Pick you months accordigly and if you are from south of the Mason Dixon Line think PARKA.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

As for Athletics I am not sure. My Daughter lettered in Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Ice Hockey for four years but the Naval Academy does not even have those as club sports. I am sure athletics plays a part in the total points but the participation in any sport seems to count whatever it is. She is class of 2011.

From everything I have heard, the academies love girls who play Field Hockey - it is looked as highly on for girls as football does for boys.
There are quite a few women down at USNA who played Field Hockey in high school and if a bunch of them get together and want to make a club team the Academy would be all for it.

The fact that their "sport" is not offered at the academy has no bearing on the benefit from it during the application process - your daughter will be quite successful, I am sure on most intramural teams from her prior athletic experiences. She has learned to be a part of a team, how to advance that team forward on a field and how to think quickly on her feet. All excellent qualities that will serve her well at USNA.

Just an update. We went for CVW in February and with the wind it must have been a relative twenty below. Pick you months accordigly and if you are from south of the Mason Dixon Line think PARKA.

And it was a mild winter!!

 

[AF6872]

Just_A_Mom

You may have misconstrued my comment. What I meant was that any athletics, even those not available at the Academy as a Club or Varsity sport, was a plus when applying to any service academy. My daughter knew going in that her sports were not available but she was willing to try anything and everything offered.

It would be great if the women who played field hockey in high school ( and you are right, there must be a lot ) could ask if they might start a club team. I don't know the procedure, but I bet a lot of parents out there could look in the closet and come up with a lot of equipment. Ice Hockey, I don't know.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

You may have misconstrued my comment. What I meant was that any athletics, even those not available at the Academy as a Club or Varsity sport, was a plus when applying to any service academy. My daughter knew going in that her sports were not available but she was willing to try anything and everything offered.

Nope not at all in fact I agree with you. Any athletics is good - I just meant to add that even though field hockey is not offered it is looked highly upon by admissions. My daughter was willing to and did give up field hockey as well. Many of her peers (and parents of peers) thought she was crazy to pass on a chance to play her sport in college.

It would be great if the women who played field hockey in high school ( and you are right, there must be a lot ) could ask if they might start a club team. I don't know the procedure, but I bet a lot of parents out there could look in the closet and come up with a lot of equipment. Ice Hockey, I don't know.[/

Last year she applied to both USNA and USMA - I forget - maybe it was the track coach at USNA - who told her there were quite a few field hockey players down in Annapolis. I know there are a bunch at USMA and USCGA as well. The comment was made to her that anyone could start a club sport with enough interest. It could be that the field hockey players are involved in other sports like soccer and/or track - don't know. I just meant to add that if your daughter loves field hockey then she should be able to do that if she can somehow get all those girls together - there are lots of colleges in Maryland/Delaware/Virginia/Pa with club teams that would be happy for some competition.
Now about that equipment in the closet.....................