CVW Invite

[Sydney C.]

Would it be worthwhile for a HS senior to participate in a CVW

"Worthwhile" can be subjective. What is it your DD wants to learn, discover or find out? e.g. does she have an LOA or LOE and wants to ensure that this is what she really wants and she's on the fence, or is it something else like maybe just "kick the tires"?
There are lots of folks, as noted above, that have found the experience very beneficial in helping to make a decision or sealing the deal. Conversely, there are those that may have attended NASS and didn't need the the final validation.
If you have the time, the resources and DD really wants to go for the experience....go. If none of those apply...don't.

 

[navy2022VA]

Would it be worthwhile for a HS senior to participate in a CVW in the Spring of their senior year? DD and I were thinking it would... but is this not the case?

You’ve got nothing to lose so you might as well go

 

[Harleyboys98]

Update: I will be attending the January 25-27 CVW. I fly in very early Wednesday, January 24 due to cheap airfare. This allows me a free 24 hour time slot to basically explore Annapolis. Anyone have any opinions on what to do or see?

 

[USMAROTCFamily]

^^^

Agree. The purpose of a CVW is to help a student/candidate decide whether to apply (juniors) or whether he/she wants to attend (juniors and seniors). It does NOT help you in terms of the admissions process in that you don't get extra points for participating nor are you evaluated during your visit. It's offered solely for your benefit.

Thus, as noted above, if your DD is trying to decide between USNA and another SA or between USNA and a civilian school, a CVW may help make that decision. Other than that, it's not very useful for seniors. I do suppose there is one other benefit -- if you're turned down, a visit may help you decide whether you are sufficiently interested/motivated to reapply.

I agree with this. Doing the CVW at USNA and the overnight visit at USMA, after receiving appointments to both, helped my DS make his final decision.

 

[Harleyboys98]

I believe that there are several threads with information on how to prepare for CVW, including what to bring, how to dress, and what to expect.
Keep an open mind, and enjoy your visit.

Can anyone link the CVW preparation threads to this one?

 

[momofmod]

My son was paired with a friend (then current Mid) for CVW. Not sure who requested who but he was with a friend from hs. His D-1 athletic visit was random team members. Do as many visits and camps as you can afford. Luckily we are 5 hours so I could drive him. Good luck!

 

[TexMex2022]

Husband and son did the cvw his junior year of high school. Great experience. Coming from Texas required airline tickets/hotels. DS and husband flew into DC, rented car, drove to Annapolis, did the CVW. They stayed at hotel near airport and spent an extra couple days touring DC. Took the train. You can register with your congressman for a white house tour. Husband and son had a good experience.

We did all the same as them and would recommend anyone flying from anywhere to stay a few days and explore, it really makes the whole expirience more worth every dollar spent.

 

[THParent]

I think it's even better to put them on a plane and say "have a good time" and "see you in three days".
Never too early to prepare them to function without you, in the world.

You can still have the Helicopter Parent experience if you want, but make them feel like they're doing it on their own.
Part of this is flying them into DC or BWI and having SuperShuttle pick them up and take them to USNA.
Same for the way back.
You can load the SuperShuttle app in your smart phone and it tells you when the driver will be there (and shows the car/van on a map).
It's a lot like Uber, but not an "average Joe/Jane" driving his/her own car.

Everyone says "fly into BWI" but there is nothing wrong with DC, if the fare is significantly cheaper.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is 36 miles from Annapolis and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is 26 miles from Annapolis. Sometimes the travel time (with traffic) is nearly the same.

 

[NavyHoops]

You can also take the metro from DCA and Dulles to New Carrollton station. New Carrollton is 15-20 minutes from USNA.

 

[momofmod]

For my son's (2021) CVW he was placed with a friend who was a current Mid. For his athletic recruiting trip he was with current team members. He enjoyed NASS but said CVW and his recruiting trip were much more "real life." Thankfully we are driving distance so he was able to attend all. Good luck! GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

 

[beachcomber70]

DS attended NASS last June and did an official recruit visit in the fall (basically a CVW). His experience would echo @justdoit19's DS experience. He enjoyed both experiences, felt like NASS was great overview and source of general info, but felt "promotional" in nature, which I think is the intent. Coming back for his recruit visit and really being able to see what his life would look like as a plebe was crucial to his decision making process and confirmed that Navy was his #1 choice.
He would say that if you had to pick one, do the CVW - it's a more accurate look at the life of a Midshipman.

 

[ship_shape]

I think it's even better to put them on a plane and say "have a good time" and "see you in three days".
Never too early to prepare them to function without you, in the world.

You can still have the Helicopter Parent experience if you want, but make them feel like they're doing it on their own.
Part of this is flying them into DC or BWI and having SuperShuttle pick them up and take them to USNA.
Same for the way back.
You can load the SuperShuttle app in your smart phone and it tells you when the driver will be there (and shows the car/van on a map).
It's a lot like Uber, but not an "average Joe/Jane" driving his/her own car.

Everyone says "fly into BWI" but there is nothing wrong with DC, if the fare is significantly cheaper.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is 36 miles from Annapolis and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is 26 miles from Annapolis. Sometimes the travel time (with traffic) is nearly the same.

Love this! I basically drove my son up to the front door of the airport for Summer Seminar and told him have fun and kick ass!

 

[MoSwimmer66]

Update: I will be attending the January 25-27 CVW. I fly in very early Wednesday, January 24 due to cheap airfare. This allows me a free 24 hour time slot to basically explore Annapolis. Anyone have any opinions on what to do or see?

so how was it? What did you explore in your free time. Kind of cold in January?

 

[Dino10]

I think it's even better to put them on a plane and say "have a good time" and "see you in three days".
Never too early to prepare them to function without you, in the world.

You can still have the Helicopter Parent experience if you want, but make them feel like they're doing it on their own.
Part of this is flying them into DC or BWI and having SuperShuttle pick them up and take them to USNA.
Same for the way back.
You can load the SuperShuttle app in your smart phone and it tells you when the driver will be there (and shows the car/van on a map).
It's a lot like Uber, but not an "average Joe/Jane" driving his/her own car.

Everyone says "fly into BWI" but there is nothing wrong with DC, if the fare is significantly cheaper.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is 36 miles from Annapolis and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is 26 miles from Annapolis. Sometimes the travel time (with traffic) is nearly the same.

I flew my Son into DCA as it was cheaper than BWI and my friend there who hosted him lives there in D.C. Sent him out there last Summer and it was an amazing experience for him. Got in a full day at USNA and came home more convinced than ever that this is the path he wants to pursue.