I was recently appointed to USNA, and I'm so humbled by it and excited about it. I'm asking this as an applicant from California who might have a difficult time getting to visit the Academy. It would be kind of difficult with school and travel expenses, so I'm not sure if I'd get to go this spring. I think it's important to make an informed decision, and I think I have a wealth of knowledge from online resources, the coaches for my sport, and some friends who attend, but does anyone think it's vital for me to visit? Does anyone else have a daughter/son who committed because they knew they'd love it there after using the internet as a resource and ended up absolutely loving it? Does anyone know of the opposite happening? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Ability to visit
- Thread starter gabby1723
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Just to be clear, you have received an Offer of Appointment. You have until May 1st to accept or decline that offer. You won't actually be appointed as a Midshipman until you sign the papers on I-Day, raise your right hand, and recite the oath of office along with about 1,100 of your new friends.
One thing that is available to you now is a Candidate Visit Weekend (CVW). As someone with an Offer of Appointment in hand, you may request a CVW visit in order to help you decide. It's still a costly proposition going coast to coast for a couple of days, but the couple of days includes free room and board, so you have that going for you, I guess.
You would be afforded luxurious accommodations, including sleeping on the floor (or in a cot) in a Midshipman's room in Bancroft Hall (the World's largest single college dormitory) on both Thursday and Friday nights, and leave Saturday morning. You would have meals in King Hall with the rest of the Brigade. You would follow the Plebe assigned to you, to classes and to sports activities and be able to get a glimpse into the life of a Midshipman, first-hand. Most civilians will never set foot in Bancroft Hall - so that's kind of cool - even if you ultimately decide that USNA is not for you.
Do you need to go visit first, before you show up on I-Day? Absolutely not.
Many successful graduates of the USNA have never set foot there until I-Day. You would be fine.
One thing that is available to you now is a Candidate Visit Weekend (CVW). As someone with an Offer of Appointment in hand, you may request a CVW visit in order to help you decide. It's still a costly proposition going coast to coast for a couple of days, but the couple of days includes free room and board, so you have that going for you, I guess.
You would be afforded luxurious accommodations, including sleeping on the floor (or in a cot) in a Midshipman's room in Bancroft Hall (the World's largest single college dormitory) on both Thursday and Friday nights, and leave Saturday morning. You would have meals in King Hall with the rest of the Brigade. You would follow the Plebe assigned to you, to classes and to sports activities and be able to get a glimpse into the life of a Midshipman, first-hand. Most civilians will never set foot in Bancroft Hall - so that's kind of cool - even if you ultimately decide that USNA is not for you.
Do you need to go visit first, before you show up on I-Day? Absolutely not.
Many successful graduates of the USNA have never set foot there until I-Day. You would be fine.
The first day I ever saw USNA was I day 2014. Now I'm a helicopter pilot 6 years after graduation looking to stay in until 20. I loved it and still do (at least most of it). There are other people that can't wait to get out.
I'd say if you get a chance to visit, take it, but there are plenty of people who have never been until I day.
I'd say if you get a chance to visit, take it, but there are plenty of people who have never been until I day.
Old Navy BGO
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I can assure you there is a whole lot more information about the Naval Academy available online now than there was back in my day (early 80's), and the first time I ever saw the Naval Academy was when I pulled up in a bus during my NAPS visit. (And the first time I saw NAPS was when I checked in there).
Times are different now, and I guess college visits are an expectation, but unlike "normal colleges" , I don't think people go to the Naval Academy for the warm, fuzzy vibe they get during a college visit. I live in the Midwest, and I suspect many of my candidates attend without ever visiting. If your goal is to be an Naval Officer, then you will get used to moving to places site unseen, and learning to like them.
Times are different now, and I guess college visits are an expectation, but unlike "normal colleges" , I don't think people go to the Naval Academy for the warm, fuzzy vibe they get during a college visit. I live in the Midwest, and I suspect many of my candidates attend without ever visiting. If your goal is to be an Naval Officer, then you will get used to moving to places site unseen, and learning to like them.
usna1985
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A couple of thoughts. First, visiting in the spring is very different than visiting in the fall. Things are MUCH more relaxed after spring break so, while you definitely see things such as where you'll live (Bancroft Hall), where you'll eat, attend classes, etc., you won't really get a sense of what it's like to be a plebe since things will be more relaxed now than they were in September and October. Thus, consider the purpose of your visit.
Second, do you have concerns, etc. about USNA that you think would be addressed with a visit? If so, it might be worth your while. If you feel confident about your decision, a visit isn't necessary. I would, however, avail yourself of the resources you describe as there is a wealth of information available today (that wasn't in my day) to those who can't visit. It is important to understand what your life will be like as a plebe, what PS is like, the options for majors and classes, the physical requirements, etc. Sounds like you've done this!
Finally, if cost is an option, I'd save the family money so they can come for PPW. In the view of most that is the second most important time for parents/family to visit (second only to Commissioning Week).
Second, do you have concerns, etc. about USNA that you think would be addressed with a visit? If so, it might be worth your while. If you feel confident about your decision, a visit isn't necessary. I would, however, avail yourself of the resources you describe as there is a wealth of information available today (that wasn't in my day) to those who can't visit. It is important to understand what your life will be like as a plebe, what PS is like, the options for majors and classes, the physical requirements, etc. Sounds like you've done this!
Finally, if cost is an option, I'd save the family money so they can come for PPW. In the view of most that is the second most important time for parents/family to visit (second only to Commissioning Week).
Big Ugly
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Snap out of it girl.
Everyone will have the same doubts after they've received their Offer of Appointment and begun the wait for I-Day. My daughter went for a Candidate Visitation Weekend (CVW) and shortly thereafter I was greeted by this in our kitchen: :
Everyone will have the same doubts after they've received their Offer of Appointment and begun the wait for I-Day. My daughter went for a Candidate Visitation Weekend (CVW) and shortly thereafter I was greeted by this in our kitchen: :
Hopeful Plebe Mom
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Congratulations on your offer of appointment!! If you can swing it, try to go! DS went to CVW back in October. It was eye-opening, hands-on and a great source of first-hand information.
Well, Big Ugly, I wonder if she will be thinking that after she is sweating her brains out in Plebe Summer while simultaneously smelling like a pig that rolled in its own goo along with all the 'hot boys' smelling and looking the same.......!! Hopefully you can circle back and report about that....
Thank you everyone for your insight. I've asked my grandparents to help with finances to visit, so it looks like I'll be getting the opportunity to go! I'm super stoked on USNA, but I recognize it's a big commitment and certainly a change in lifestyle, so I think going there and seeing the environment and meeting some mids will be important for me. I think it's going to be the place for the next four!
Equally thankful for those who pointed out the 3:1 men to women ratio--certainly not a drawback
Equally thankful for those who pointed out the 3:1 men to women ratio--certainly not a drawback
Hopeful Plebe Mom
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that is great!
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Thank you everyone for your insight. I've asked my grandparents to help with finances to visit, so it looks like I'll be getting the opportunity to go! I'm super stoked on USNA, but I recognize it's a big commitment and certainly a change in lifestyle, so I think going there and seeing the environment and meeting some mids will be important for me. I think it's going to be the place for the next four!
Equally thankful for those who pointed out the 3:1 men to women ratio--certainly not a drawback
Hi gabby1723, congrats on your offer. As a female USNA grad, I cannot help but respond to your comment and offer you a gentle word of caution. The women who have graduated before you have long fought to prove they belong. A statement implying the male to female ratio is a plus for women is a setback to a lot of progress and an insult to the women who have gone ahead of you. I know you were probably in jest and responding to a comment by a parent, but if the lopsided ratio is honestly in any way appealing to you, I'd suggest you consider going elsewhere. Neither USNA nor the fleet is the place to play the dating game. Regardless of your decision, it would be best if you did not make a public comment such as that one again. Best of luck to you as you make your decision.
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Big Ugly
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This is my daughter’s response:
Coming from the gal who made the whiteboard, I have to say that’s an unfair statement. While I am thankful for the women that fought hard against sexism so I can attend USNA, and I am thankful for your service, I can’t say your statement is very encouraging to the young women looking to attend. The months leading up to my older sister’s I-Day, we would often joke about the “cute navy guys.” I knew she was stressed as any other prospective mid, and joking about life there eased tension sometimes. And now in the months leading up to the I-Day I’ll attend, my sister appreciates my stress as well. We joke about “days until 3:1 hot boy ratio” (although she has warned me while the boy ratio might be 3:1 the hot ratio is slightly slimmer). That’s not resetting feminism’s work. That’s a sense of humor, respectfully. To say that talking about cute guys is somehow undermining what women have fought for probably makes gabby1723 uncomfortable about expressing a sense of humor. Especially when having a sense of humor may be the only thing carrying us through hard times.
I understand you’re looking from atop a career that young women like myself are aspiring to. You have experience, you’ve seen more than I can imagine. But we are a different generation.
I feel more oppressed by your statement than I have by any man in my young years. No, the Navy (or any military branch) is not the place to play “the dating game.” But we are all humans. We are focused young women who, like other young men, are nervous to attend an institution unlike any other. Try not to shame the young into silence. Respectfully.
“Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.” –Mark Twain
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Satire lies about literary men while they live and eulogy lies about them when they die —Voltaire
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Thank you for this. DS is in the same position as OP. We were not aware that once being offered an appointment that CVW was now an option. He went to SS and SLE (and recvd offer of appointment at USMA) and has been leaning towards USNA, but ideally would like to visit while school is in session. We thought CVW was by invitation only but I'll have him look into this now. Very helpful, thank you!
usna1985
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It probably is a generational thing, as I had a similar reaction to Mid99. Those of us in the early years had to work really, really hard to overcome the belief that women wanted to attend USNA to get an "Mrs. degree." In our day, the male/female ratio was 12:1 . . .
I understand that things are very different today for women at USNA -- and those of us from the early years are very happy to have witnessed the change. I'm also a huge fan of humor -- we used it in our own way even back in our day. It's just important to understand that what is humorous to one person/group, may not be funny to everyone. Don't feel "oppressed," just more informed about the views of a different generation who faced different challenges.
Finally, as a soon-to-be plebe (and member of the military), it's important to be very careful about what you say on a public forum. Say what you want in the privacy of your home -- keep in mind that what you post is seen by a much wider audience and may come back to bite you in ways you don't expect.
I understand that things are very different today for women at USNA -- and those of us from the early years are very happy to have witnessed the change. I'm also a huge fan of humor -- we used it in our own way even back in our day. It's just important to understand that what is humorous to one person/group, may not be funny to everyone. Don't feel "oppressed," just more informed about the views of a different generation who faced different challenges.
Finally, as a soon-to-be plebe (and member of the military), it's important to be very careful about what you say on a public forum. Say what you want in the privacy of your home -- keep in mind that what you post is seen by a much wider audience and may come back to bite you in ways you don't expect.
I am the first one to make jokes about nearly anything, especially in stressful times. But as others mentioned this is not a good one. You haven’t quite made it to I Day to earn that spot. You will learn there are lots of inside jokes about being a woman at USNA, you will learn them in good time. You will one day. Those like usna1985 were some of the first to make it through those doors and I am forever thankful for them. I am not a new grad but have some solid time after 1985, I am sort of in the middle area. About 10-12% of our classes were women when I was there. A bunch of bald dudes who smell bad... you will wonder what you were thinking. But they eventually stop looking like high school kids, grow hair and find their personalities. You will date within the Brigade which brings its own challenges. I get it’s a joke, but one that many of us find tough. You will probably meet some of the ladies who graduated in the early classes while at USNA. Thank them when you do, embrace the sisterhood and support one another and remember why you are there. If USNA is your place... not visiting shouldn’t be a deal breaker. You would be surprised how many have never stepped foot on the yard prior to I Day. Best of luck.
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Hear hear to @NavyHoops and @usna1985, but also to @Big Ugly daughter’s words for speaking up in an articulate way from her current perspective.
Embrace the sisterhood - AND the brotherhood. Every generation is different, every generation thinks the ones before them are different (and usually worse in many ways), and the ones after them are different (and also worse in many ways), at some point in their lives.
As a new mid, you will meet people out of all kinds of cultural backgrounds, faith groups, with expectations and assumptions, who will hold quite an array of beliefs about gender roles and “places.” What is humorous in your mind and a way to cope with stress, can be heard by another who thinks of it as confirmation all women are there for the wrong reasons and don’t belong, in the way that humans do when they have some biases they like to paint an entire group with.
Just be mindful, respectful, intentional and professional, and that will get you through most situations, along with flexibility, thick skin, and yes, a sense of humor. The SA pressure-cooker can sometimes bring out the worst in people when they are feeling powerless, and though we are well into the 21st c., there are still veins of thought that are not very nice out there. Even at USNA, home of 4000+ carefully chosen humans.
And to add a humorous quote:
“I think we’re all bozos on this bus.” From the 20th c. comedy group Firesign Theater.
Embrace the sisterhood - AND the brotherhood. Every generation is different, every generation thinks the ones before them are different (and usually worse in many ways), and the ones after them are different (and also worse in many ways), at some point in their lives.
As a new mid, you will meet people out of all kinds of cultural backgrounds, faith groups, with expectations and assumptions, who will hold quite an array of beliefs about gender roles and “places.” What is humorous in your mind and a way to cope with stress, can be heard by another who thinks of it as confirmation all women are there for the wrong reasons and don’t belong, in the way that humans do when they have some biases they like to paint an entire group with.
Just be mindful, respectful, intentional and professional, and that will get you through most situations, along with flexibility, thick skin, and yes, a sense of humor. The SA pressure-cooker can sometimes bring out the worst in people when they are feeling powerless, and though we are well into the 21st c., there are still veins of thought that are not very nice out there. Even at USNA, home of 4000+ carefully chosen humans.
And to add a humorous quote:
“I think we’re all bozos on this bus.” From the 20th c. comedy group Firesign Theater.
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