Candidate Visit Weekend Rescinded - Thoughts?

[jmowsley]

Hi all - I have a question for the forum...my son was invited to a candidate visit back in March but then had the visit rescinded as he was also invited to summer seminar. Via e-mail, the administration office indicated that even though his candidate visit would be given to someone who was not invited to summer seminar, he would receive an invitation for a candidate visit in the fall. He received his candidate visit invitation and confirmation in July. His candidate visit is scheduled for October 17th. We have already made reservations for the whole family to go to Annapolis and he is very excited to be able to spend time in the classroom. However, we received an e-mail a few minutes ago indicated that candidate visits are normally for applicants who do not get an invitation to summer seminar so they would like to give his spot to someone else unless there are "extenuating circumstances." He is going to be crushed. Can anyone tell me if this has ever happened to them and if anyone knows what "extenuating circumstances" means? He has until tomorrow at 3:00 eastern to respond before they remove his name from the list. It seems to me that is inevitable that they will no longer offer the visit, which will cause a "They don't want me" conversation I would really like to avoid

. Any insight would be great.

 

[Holden100]

This sounds basically just not cool, but I can see their side if the CVW is merely a recruiting tool. However, for your son, it may be what he needs to decide if it’s really his top choice amongst other academies or civilian ROTC programs. That, I would think, would be an extenuating circumstance. Maybe he needs to see what life is like when classes are in session?

Good luck to him either way. If it’s any consolation, my DS also did NASS & wasn’t even, by accident, invited to a CVW.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Unfortunately, the left hand in Admissions doesn't always talk to the right hand in Admissions, and it could be simply a miscommunication.

First, did he attend Summer Seminar ? NASS and CVW are limited resources , and have to be doled out strategically. While NASS and CVW are difffent, they are alike enought that USNA simply can't let people do both. The error was made last Spring when DS was told that he could go to CVW this fall. On the other hand, if he was invited to NASS and didn't come, then USNA may perceive that as a lack of interest on his part.

This may have nothing to do with DS's application or competitiveness. No one should look at anything (except for the TWE ) as an expression that USNA doesn't want them. The hard truth is there are 1000's of highly qualified candidates, and until an Offer of Appointment is made, Admissions really can't get committed to any individual.

 

[noclist314]

So, my son was invited to cvw last January for a spring weekend. We acccepted. Then, a month later, he was offered a spot at summer seminar in June and admissions offered us a choice between the two. We chose summer seminar. He attended, then in July he was offered cvw (again) for end of August and we all went down with him. He received an LOA last week. I don’t know what all this means or if it means anything at all , but I thought I’d share our experience thus far

 

[justdoit19]

To your question: I’ve not heard of this before. It sounds like a mistake or miscommunication. Which can happen.

There was talk in the spring about a newish policy of not having a candidate offered both NASS and CVW. In order to spread the opportunities for more people to visit, they are both recruiting tools to spread the word about USNA. Also a recent post supports this, by stating that at their CVW, only two had also attended NASS in a “show your hands” type poll.

You and your son should not read this as a statement of USNA’s “interest” in him. It’s not them expressing interest when they invite him. It’s them hoping to spread the word about USNA. Especially to places not represented/exposed to the Navy (think the heartland).

Whether it not on a CVW, you and your family can visit the yard and meet with admissions. The yard is open to the public.

 

[Holden100]

I'm quoting this from another parent's post on a facebook page devoted to candidates, offering advice and such. I read it a couple of days ago, and I thought it was some of the best advice I'd read since DS decided to apply to SA's:
"My son is a freshman at Georgia Tech this year. Last year he received his recommendations for the Naval Academy, everything looked great and then he did not get it. It was heartbreaking, but this is what we learned from it. The Service Academy process is very important, but the reality of getting in is very small. So it is almost like you need to treat the traditional college process as your plan A and B, and the Academy as plan C. Work equally hard on all of them, but be realistic. Good luck on your journey."

I think the candidates (and parents) get so caught up in the intense application process for the academies that tunnel vision sets in, especially if they go to NASS. Once done, you take a breath for a second, and then wait, endlessly. But there are other options, other paths, and this parent nailed it for me. I just wanted to share it, especially when kids (and parents) start to obsess over whether they're wanted. Yes, right now they're all just numbers (except those lucky few with LOA's), but those numbers at the academies also have other options they can explore during this endless wait. Good luck to you all!

 

[Heatherg21]

Since the OP was about a CVW, I have a question. DS answered USNA re Nov. 16 CVW and he is waiting for reply. He has attended Summer STEM. One Senator's office just let him know prospective interview dates and one of the dates conflicts with CVW. Considering airline potential purchase, should he skip the CVW for potential interview or advise Senator's office of potential conflict? Since it is a while yet before interview weekend, I am leaning toward advising of conflict and if he is selected for interview they could schedule him for the weekend that doesn't conflict with CVW. Thoughts? Thanks in advance

 

[jmowsley]

Thank you for all of your responses. Our son did go to NASS and loved it. We also completely understand that this is a process and that its highly competitive so we have had long talks about Option B, C, D, E, etc...he has already been accepted by two universities with great ROTC programs and engineering programs so his backup plans are coming together. Its just disheartening to have him get this offer (they actually sent him two separate e-mails to make the offer, get the confirmation, buy the plane tickets for the whole fam (we live in MN) and then three weeks before the visit have it pulled back. He is also applying to USAFA but the USNA is his first choice so its hard to try to keep spirits up when stuff like this happens.

 

[Sydney C.]

No one should look at anything (except for the TWE ) as an expression that USNA doesn't want them. The hard truth is there are 1000's of highly qualified candidates, and until an Offer of Appointment is made, Admissions really can't get committed to any individual.

Old Navy BGO is spot on with this! Seen this play out numerous times and folks are just reading WAY too much into NASS and CVW invites. The fact is the overwhelming majority of those that are offered appointments on an annual basis....go to neither.

You don't get "extra" points, it doesn't enhance your application and it doesn't provide for any leg up. What gets you in is a first rate application, not events.

 

[justdoit19]

Thank you for all of your responses. Our son did go to NASS and loved it. We also completely understand that this is a process and that its highly competitive so we have had long talks about Option B, C, D, E, etc...he has already been accepted by two universities with great ROTC programs and engineering programs so his backup plans are coming together. Its just disheartening to have him get this offer (they actually sent him two separate e-mails to make the offer, get the confirmation, buy the plane tickets for the whole fam (we live in MN) and then three weeks before the visit have it pulled back. He is also applying to USAFA but the USNA is his first choice so its hard to try to keep spirits up when stuff like this happens.

Doesn’t the email put it in your sons hands? I’m confused. If your whole family has purchased plane tickets, And he still needs a visit, he can explain this.

Don’t be disheartened. Staff changes. Last summer is different than fall. Sounds like miscommunication at USNA is all. Nothing personal so dont take it that way. Also don’t get caught up in this one thing. And remember these are people, in all their flaws, who work at USNA. So look at it from that perspective where “stuff happens” just like any workplace.

As I read your post, he has the option. So make a choice and decide. Yes or no. It up to him as I read it. Again..it was an OOPS. They didn’t say no, they left it up to him. So what is the conflict? He has two choices. If there are extenuating circumstances and he feels he feels he needs yet another visit to help him decide, let them know. If he’s got enough to know he wants USNA, then gracefully bow out and let someone else have a chance to discover USNA. MN is exactly the place for spreading awareness about USNA. The more kids they can get there from these areas the better.

BTW....if being disappointed is hard for him when plans change? Oh my...this is NOT the place for him. That is status quo at any SA. One truly has to be a ‘go with the flow’ kind of person. During DS’s summer last, on his leave home with friends and family, his amazing adventure overseas was changed no less than 4 times. And all within the 2 weeks prior to when he was to leave. Each time requiring changes to plane tickets already bought. One has to be completely flexible, there is NO planning. And then it all gets tossed in the air and changed. It’s just how it is.

 

[justdoit19]

Old Navy BGO is spot on with this! Seen this play out numerous times and folks are just reading WAY too much into NASS and CVW invites. The fact is the overwhelming majority of those that are offered appointments on an annual basis....go to neither.

You don't get "extra" points, it doesn't enhance your application and it doesn't provide for any leg up. What gets you in is a first rate application, not events.

It also doesn’t mean “they are interested in me.” So don’t take it that way.

 

[NavyHoops]

I agree that it sounded like he could make a phone call. He should be honest with them, that USNA is his number one, but he is applying to other SAs and, if possible, he would like to get this unique perspective. If USNA says yes, great, if not, it has nothing to do with his chances. USNA flip flopping like this is not good in my personal opinion but I understand what they are trying to do; get the most amount of candidates a view of USNA. I always say this process is a warm up to military life... and this is an example of that. Wait until active duty life when he has orders with a spouse and 2 kids and is set to move to another country. Oh wait, 30 days later, it’s now the middle of nowhere USNA.

 

[THParent]

Hoops beat me to it.

 

[Overwhelmed]

Last year DS's CVW was postponed at the last minute because of a hurricane. Some of the candidates from far flung locations had already left for Annapolis.

I would definitely move forward and attend the CVW if you have an option. Believe or not USNA isn't for everyone.
The CVW worked exactly the way it was intended for my son.
He enjoyed his visit but decided AROTC was a better fit for him.

 

[ThePatternisFull]

FROM USNA ADMISSIONS OFFICE TO BGO'S
11-FEB-19 Summer Seminar Updates
Students who have been accepted to NASS 2019 will not normally be invited to a Candidate Visit Weekend (CVW) during March and April 2019. These two weekends will be reserved for students who do not receive a spot in NASS. If a student has already confirmed a spot for the March or April CVW and they have been accepted to NASS, they will be contacted and provided the option of attending the CVW or NASS, or withdrawing from the CVW to allow another student who will not have the opportunity or will be unable to attend NASS for another reason. Since there is a possibility that our message may be misunderstood, the primary method of communicating with these candidates will be via telephone.

A student may apply for NASS regardless of place/year in school: college student, graduating early, 5th year of HS (i.e. a certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School). The key element is that the student will be 17 years old by I-Day for the Class of 2024. Age is the key, the student may need to adjust their high school graduation year in the drop down and explain in the Remarks or Additional Comments section of the application.

 

[BunkerDog1]

My DS is a reapplicant, having received the dreaded TWE last spring. He was a NASS attendee in 2018 and was extended a CVW invite for this fall. He has yet to receive a date however. He has made several attempts to reach folks at USNA with mostly silence or direction to try another person. Has anyone heard of being extended a CVW invitation and the dates then pass without hearing anything (he did respond with available dates)? There are only two fall dates left, with one coming up fairly quickly (Oct 17-19).

 

[Norfolk63]

Thank you for all of your responses. Our son did go to NASS and loved it. We also completely understand that this is a process and that its highly competitive so we have had long talks about Option B, C, D, E, etc...he has already been accepted by two universities with great ROTC programs and engineering programs so his backup plans are coming together. Its just disheartening to have him get this offer (they actually sent him two separate e-mails to make the offer, get the confirmation, buy the plane tickets for the whole fam (we live in MN) and then three weeks before the visit have it pulled back. He is also applying to USAFA but the USNA is his first choice so its hard to try to keep spirits up when stuff like this happens.

Food for thought: There are plenty of MidParents on this forum. If you decide to forge ahead with your family visit, I'm sure a few Mids would step up to meet with you and give you valuable insight.

 

[Cptn.Boca]

Class of 2023 plebe here. I would not be worried that it's a "they dont want me" case. I got rejected from NASS and was not invited to a CVW but here I am! Don't forget that USNA is government ran and there can be time where there are miscommunications/ inefficiencies. Feel free to PM me if your son or anyone has any question and if you end up coming up here, I would be happy to meet with you guys and show you around!

 

[momofmod]

Since the OP was about a CVW, I have a question. DS answered USNA re Nov. 16 CVW and he is waiting for reply. He has attended Summer STEM. One Senator's office just let him know prospective interview dates and one of the dates conflicts with CVW. Considering airline potential purchase, should he skip the CVW for potential interview or advise Senator's office of potential conflict? Since it is a while yet before interview weekend, I am leaning toward advising of conflict and if he is selected for interview they could schedule him for the weekend that doesn't conflict with CVW. Thoughts? Thanks in advance

DO NOT MISS THE SENATOR INTERVIEW!!! Contact USNA to see if you can reschedule the CVW. The Congressional and Senatorial interviews are held within a very tight windows. Your son needs a nomination and eliminating a source for one would be short sighted. Just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[Heatherg21]

DO NOT MISS THE SENATOR INTERVIEW!!! Contact USNA to see if you can reschedule the CVW. The Congressional and Senatorial interviews are held within a very tight windows. Your son needs a nomination and eliminating a source for one would be short sighted. Just my opinion. Good luck!

I appreciate the input. We have decided that if he is able to attend for a visit it would have to be another time. Besides scheduling conflict with potential Senator interview it is a tight window for travel and limited flight options. He is doing mock interview this Sunday with a West Point Parent group and training for his CFA which he will do next week. He has a solid score now but he wanted to improve his mile a bit more which he has done. Thank you for the advice, good advice is always welcome.