Candidate Visit: USNA

[2025!!]

Can anyone tell me if you were to just visit Annapolis (the town) around USNA and not have an official visit scheduled for the academy, is there much to do just around town? Are things such as restaurants, museums, tours, anything going on that someone would be able to do if you were to just visit the area and not have an academy tour scheduled?

 

[MidCakePa]

Naptown is a wonderful place to spend the day — at least pre-pandemic era. I’ve read that Anne Arundel County has the highest COVID rates in Maryland, so keep that in mind.

Downtown is a small but charming place to explore restaurants and shops for a few hours. The state capital is up the hill and normally offers tours. There are nice parks and green spaces nearby. The Amish Market is a treat.

Then, beyond that, is the Eastern Shore across the bay bridge. DC is an hour away, as is Baltimore. You could easily spend a fun three days within a 40-mile radius.

But of course, YMMV thanks to COVID.

 

[justdoit19]

It was a culture shock for our family, from the Midwest. We had never been out East. Imo, if you want a feel for the community, you could still get that presently. Although, as @MidCakePa already stated, things like indoor dining are off the table, so to speak. But, you could still get a flavor for the area. Good weather allows for lots to do outdoors. And you can see how the academy is hugged by Annapolis physically, which is quite different than USAFA and USMA. It’s for sure a different vibe. USNA is PART of the Annapolis community.

DC of course is neat, a favorite to visit any time we go...the Malls. Not sure if they are open or not. But even doing a drive by is pretty cool. If you have never been.

If you are considering attending, and want a flavor of the community that will also be part of your 47 month USNA journey, I would recommend going (if easy to do and not a financial burden). And who knows, by the time you go, perhaps USNA will again be open to the public. You do not have to have an admissions visit to attend. They ‘normally’ have self guided tours you can take. And just walking the yard is amazing. There are placards explaining monuments, statues, etc about the yard. And a very nice museum. There is so much history to explore at USNA and surrounding area.

Of course driving to the ocean, through Arlington, Baltimore are all things that you could do. And on Instagram, if you search #maryland, lots of cool outdoor parks and spaces pop up. Geo tagged. Many on my own bucket list!!

I do believe you will get a good representation of how integrated usna and Annapolis are, as well as the beauty of the community, visiting even now. Imo. I miss it, that’s for sure! Hoping for an Easter visit myself...to see my guys. Doubtful it happens, though. *sigh*

 

[Capt MJ]

It was magical for me even through the hell of plebe summer and plebe year. The magnificent facilities, the YPs, the views it was all so very amazing to me and to be honest, my heart still skips a beat whenever I see it, even from 40Kft flying to DC (has happened)

It has that effect. I had never seen the Yard until ordered there for duty. DH and I were driving XC from San Diego from my Pearl tour. I drove us the last leg from OH into MD, until DH had us pull off to swap drivers. He wanted to bring us in via the Maryland veterans overlook above the Naval Academy Bridge. We got out, and in the early July sunshine, we saw the glitter of light on the Severn, sailboats and motor craft everywhere, the smudge on the horizon of the Eastern Shore across the Chesapeake, the heat haze rising above Annapolis, the bronze gleaming brightly on the Chapel Dome, the Annapolis Statehouse, and the Yard spread out where the Severn meets the Chesapeake, lush and green, with the smell of tidal air.

 

[THParent]

I have smelled this Severn tidal air of which you speak.
Blech.

 

[Capt MJ]

I have smelled this Severn tidal air of which you speak.
Blech.

There is the lovely, fresh, breezy variety, and the diesel-infused, low tide, rotting fish, under-a-pier variety.

 

[justdoit19]

Yes, I know that they are just going to those individuals. My question is are those individuals just randomly opening those emails to this invite? Or did they request a visit and are now being granted one?

Not random. Very, very limited ability to get people there. Don’t read anything into not receiving an invite. They have their reason for targeting some. And it may not be that they are super duper amazing people (I’m sure they are, but doesn’t mean you aren’t). Perhaps it’s bc some areas are not getting acceptances...maybe they are targeting from a geographical need. Or some other criteria. But don’t assume anything at all from it. This year is super WEIRD. Plus campus is closed down. So don’t assume anything from this towards your own application. Hang in there! They may not even occur.

 

[MidCakePa]

And you can see how the academy is hugged by Annapolis physically, which is quite different than USAFA and USMA.

This, I believe, is a real differentiator in the holistic experience. Having been to all three for look-sees, I don’t think it’s close (pun intended).

West Point, while truly beautiful throughout, is a 40-minute drive from any urban areas. USAFA, while nestled against the Rockies, is a 15-minute drive from central Colorado Springs.

But step out Gate 1 of USNA and you’re in the thick of DTA. The mids are part of the town’s fabric. Pre-COVID, a weekend stroll up Main Street meant being surrounded by young men and women in whites or blues, out for a bite or a store run or some simple socializing.

The “heat haze” described by @Capt MJ — this is something I weirdly miss about the East Coast, especially when it lingers over water. (Very poetic description, @Capt MJ.) For me living in DC, it was the haze over the Potomac as it flowed beneath Key Bridge and Memorial Bridge, and the Tidal Basin sitting languid along the Jefferson Memorial.

 

[WolfPackGrunt]

Pre-Covid there was a lot to do on our visits to the area. I have three sons, and when each turned 8yo we had our father-son trip from Utah to the DC area. My brother and sister-in-law once lived very near the MD State House, in a home built in the mid 1700s, now they live within 15 miles of Annapolis. So, they have been gracious hosts for these father-son trips as well as other family trips to the area. Each trip we have visited Annapolis, USNA, Fort McHenry, Baltimore, the National Mall/Arlington, and other historical sites such as Antietam, Mount Vernon, Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry and many other sites. There is a plethora of things to do and see in and around USNA, easy day-trips, many are likely somewhat limited presently d/t Covid, and hopefully will be quite accessible again in the near future. I have always felt immense pride of not only the material national wealth & treasure on display, but for the beauty of the area and how steeped in our early national history it is. I am certain, even with the current limitations, that a trip to the area would be worth it for any one.

 

[ryan7771]

DD has an LOA but no invite. Since she has never seen the yard and is currently undecided, I would say no invite isn't helping the Academy's chances of landing her.

 

[A1Janitor]

DD has an LOA but no invite. Since she has never seen the yard and is currently undecided, I would say no invite isn't helping the Academy's chances of landing her.

Has she reached out to them to schedule a visit to see the Academy? I have read where others in similar situations were able to schedule something.

Edit: On the appointment list - you have your daughter down as having received an appointment offer. But she hasn’t gotten an appointment offer yet has she?

 

[justdoit19]

DD has an LOA but no invite. Since she has never seen the yard and is currently undecided, I would say no invite isn't helping the Academy's chances of landing her.

If she needs a visit to decide, she should let somone know.

If it’s not receiving an invite that is bothersome to her, I would say this: please understand that things are very difficult AT BEST at the moment for USNA. This is most certainly NOT A reflection towards your DD, at all. We are talking about perhaps 80-100 at most, who USNA has contacted for whatever reason. Gould be no one from their state has accepted an appointment and they need to get something going there. Who knows. But it’s NOT a reflection of your dd.

I still put my money on them not happening at all. Mids are in a hard ROM at the moment.

 

[ryan7771]

"Bothersome" is not the right word. She has never seen how incredible it is, and seeing it could be the deciding factor. With most of these kids, USNA has competition. So if you are out there and wondering why you didn't get the email, do not sweat it, as you are not alone.

 

[justdoit19]

"Bothersome" is not the right word. She has never seen how incredible it is, and seeing it could be the deciding factor. With most of these kids, USNA has competition. So if you are out there and wondering why you didn't get the email, do not sweat it, as you are not alone.

Could you do your own visit, should it open Up to the public? I would recommend this, if possible. It doesnt Need to be a guided tour to get a feel for the Yard, and community. Vastly different feel than the other SA’s.

 

[ryan7771]

Could you do your own visit, should it open Up to the public? I would recommend this, if possible. It doesnt Need to be a guided tour to get a feel for the Yard, and community. Vastly different feel than the other SA’s.

Possibly. It is going to depend upon the Academy and the state of Maryland, obviously. I can take her to her 4 top choices among the civilian schools where she has been accepted right now.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

The USNA is worth visiting if you can. Quick story: My DS and I had never seen the Yard. During his High School Junior year we visited the Yard. I let a friend Dad pick the date-his DS wanted to see it too. We ended up flying into Baltimore the morning of the Army Navy Football game day. We didn't see one MIDN on the Yard...Admissions did have a briefing...but the Yard was void of people except for the security folks, store and a few others. We did a self tour and saw the highlights...snow and rain...but it still was a good visit. DS ended up as a MIDN. I gave my friend the business for picking the day of ARMY NAVY...we did spend the afternoon in a sports bar downtown Annapolis-watched the game with the hometown crowd-this gave DS a different perspective. Hope you are able to see the Yard.

 

[justdoit19]

The USNA is worth visiting if you can. Quick story: My DS and I had never seen the Yard. During his High School Junior year we visited the Yard. I let a friend Dad pick the date-his DS wanted to see it too. We ended up flying into Baltimore the morning of the Army Navy Football game day. We didn't see one MIDN on the Yard...Admissions did have a briefing...but the Yard was void of people except for the security folks, store and a few others. We did a self tour and saw the highlights...snow and rain...but it still was a good visit. DS ended up as a MIDN. I gave my friend the business for picking the day of ARMY NAVY...we did spend the afternoon in a sports bar downtown Annapolis-watched the game with the hometown crowd-this gave DS a different perspective. Hope you are able to see the Yard.

You probably got a good parking spot!!

 

[ders_dad]

If you’re non-military family (like us) and live a thousand miles from the coasts (like us), I hope you find a way for your son/daughter to be on the Yard as things get sorta back to normal. My wife took my son there fall of junior year while visiting family in DC. They got a tour and admissions brief. But it was a parade day and he saw that. My wife saw my son grow two inches in front of her eyes. That did it for him. You just don’t know. (Of course, now he hates paraded - but not as much as he claims).

 

[fullspeedahead]

Actually in person dining is open in many restaurants in Annapolis because no one really goes there anymore. Galways is a pretty great restaurant (did appear on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives) and I saw some of the other restaurants were open as well. Last time I was there we were the only ones walking around which is quite crazy.

 

[MidCakePa]

But it was a parade day and he saw that. My wife saw my son grow two inches in front of her eyes.

DD was in the 8th grade when we made our first visit to the Yard. Regular school day in March, except there was parade practice that day. We followed the Brigade out to Worden Field and watched a Marine colonel take them through their paces. He was rather had to please.

DD and I watched from the bleachers for a good hour. I’m pretty sure she grew two inches that afternoon also.