Candidate Visit Weekend (CVW)

I honestly wouldn't, it's not going to make you look any more attractive as a candidate. I would just go there to have fun and see what it's like. It's not supposed to be something stressful or testing of you candidacy. Also, I would show up as a high school kid, not as a ridgid this is where I have to be I am not here to have fun pre-midshipman. Nobody is judging you here. A "joe" is apparently someone who shows up just a little too rigid and determined to the point that they look fake and are not fun to be around. If you're not there to have fun there, the plebes probably won't want you there next year cause they're not looking for a joe, they're looking for a fun motivated candidate, its a really good time my visit was a lot of fun.


As a recent grad, I'm going to respectfully disagree with this point of view. Bringing a care package for the plebes does not make you a "joe" at all. Trust me, you'll quickly learn what a "joe" is when you get to the Academy.

I wouldn't arrive at your candidate visit weekend trying to impress people with your knowledge of the military or anything to that effect, but there is absolutely no harm in bringing your plebe guide some junk food. I definitely would have appreciated it from my candidate. In most cases, the plebes are volunteering to lead you around, so it's always nice to show them your appreciation.
 
CVW parents review

Just a word of advice to parents.....prearrange a meeting place for your candidate to meet you at the end of the weekend! It will avoid a lot of potential confusion like we experienced today. It went like this....at the end of the Thursday night session parents were excused and candidates told to go to another room. We told our son we would find out the meeting place in the AM and meet him there on Saturday as it wasn't mentioned in the session or on the schedule. On Saturday we didn't have the opportunity to ask, so we figured the guard at the checkpoint would know. This morning the guard had no clue and said a lot of parents had been asking the same question. We were given a phone number Thursday night to call in case of emergency so I called the number and was told candidates were waiting at the Rotunda? After we asked a few midshipmen and got quizical looks an older gentlemen told gave us the location. Upon arriving at the rotunda no one was there except for one family who possibly looked they were sightseeing. To the right was an office manned by a few midshipmen who informed me the weekend wasn't over until 10:30 despite what was on the schedule (08:00). They suggested he might be asleep(it was after 09:00!) and they would look for him. After it was clear they were a bit confused on details we left and again began our search. We eventually found him outside the visitors centers. The plebe wasn't sure where to take him but decided to take him to Rickover where he was to wait. After waiting for us for an hour he decided to come to our semi-meeting place if something happened. BTW he didn't have his cell phone with him so we couldn't contact him. One good came out of this... I now know every road and building on campus as we made 4 or 5 laps around campus. Yes, I could have done things differently to avoid this situation(like tell him to come to the visitors center right away or go into Rickover and look for him or make sure he had his cellphone).
The point of this story is hopefully to make future visitors aware to be prepared. I would think there would would be a central pickup location stated for parents to meet the kids and to communicate this fact to their security guards, the people answering the phone number the admissions officer gave the parents, the plebes, the officers on watch, and on the printed schedule!
I saw kids wandering around aimlessly and parents looking for their kids. This can't be the first CVW the USNA has conducted.

This rest of the weekend was fantastic and some good food!
 
I am a junior that has not applied for the Naval Academy, but I received an invite to a CVW and will be going in 2 weeks. Is it an even better sign of appointment that I am young and have not even applied?
 
Invitation is a great sign that they see you have potential. So if you liked what you saw then you begin your journey to become an Applicant starting now by starting your Part 1 via NASS app. Then once they choose you to go further you become a candidate after you start your Part 2 in late July.

It is a long journey that all men have gone before! Welcome to your quest to becoming a candidate. Appointment is a long away from now maybe 12-15 months if you get one. Good luck son.
 
On the square, I was and still am a Middleton's Tavern patron, where a bucket of cherrystones and a Guinness always starts off a grand evening of food and spirits. Let the disagreements commence!
No disagreements here....Chick & Ruths, Storm Bros, and Middleton are included on every trip back !
 
I am a junior that has not applied for the Naval Academy, but I received an invite to a CVW and will be going in 2 weeks. Is it an even better sign of appointment that I am young and have not even applied?

Yes...and No.... Yes, because there is something in your record that suggests that you are the type of person USNA is interested in. You don't mention if this was unsolicited, or how USNA got your information, but perhaps sports or referral by a BGO. No, it doesn't necessarily translate to an inside track or increased chance of Appointment. You will still be competing with a lot of other very qualified candidates.
 
CSW schedule

Thanks for posting a possible schedule. My wife, son and I will be there for the Nov. 13-15 weekend and the letter was sort of vague on details. Any can't miss restaurant suggestions for the wife and I would be appreciated.
All of Parkhurst89's suggestions, plus Preserve and The Boatyard Bar & Grill are great spots. If you and your wife want a special dinner night out, Cafe Normandie is lovely. And Iron Rooster if craving a burger and fries!
 
My DS is at MMI with the SAP program to prepare to reapply for class of 2024. He was invited to a fall CVW. Does anyone know if he can/must/should wear his MMI uniform while at CVW rather than civilian?
 
My DS is at MMI with the SAP program to prepare to reapply for class of 2024. He was invited to a fall CVW. Does anyone know if he can/must/should wear his MMI uniform while at CVW rather than civilian?
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Once a Date is confirmed, they should send you an Itinerary and a What-2-Bring-&-Wear list.
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My DS is at MMI with the SAP program to prepare to reapply for class of 2024. He was invited to a fall CVW. Does anyone know if he can/must/should wear his MMI uniform while at CVW rather than civilian?
My son went last year. He wore a pair of khakis and a nice dress shirt during his visit. He also took athletic apparel because he went to morning workout. DS said you do not want to stand out.
 
My DS is at MMI with the SAP program to prepare to reapply for class of 2024. He was invited to a fall CVW. Does anyone know if he can/must/should wear his MMI uniform while at CVW rather than civilian?
This is a question he should ask of the MMI folks.
 
I attended a CVW last year in April, as a junior, and this year I have been invited to another in the fall as a senior. Will there be any benefit to attending the fall CVW as a senior? Would it be odd to attend a second time?
 
No benefit at all from knowledge point of view. From Academy recruiting maybe. Normally CVW is given once. you will be roomed with a Plebe again.
 
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