CVW

Mids also do a small write up after CVW (or so I'm told).

My CVW was a bit different since I specifically requested a plebe that went to my highschool last year and who is one of my closest friends, and to my surprise they actually paired us together. Either way, CVW was a wondrous opportunity to see what Mids do on a day to day basis, and was an ample opportunity to ask a bagillion questions.

I can't speak for NASS or Boys' State since I was denied NASS and did not attend the other, but from what I've been hearing from plebes that I know personally and from plebes that were present at the academy during my CVW, they told me it was a joke, and it was a good thing that I did not go. I have no idea why, just wanted to relay what was told to me.

Also, in regards to Boys' State, someone has told me that it offers the same amount of weight in your application as Eagle Scout. Being an Eagle Scout myself, this caused me to raise an eyebrow. Surely one or two weeks of leadership cannot be raised above half a decade of hard work and dedication?
 
Boy's State does in fact carry the same weight, and should be attended over NASS if you can only do 1. NASS was fun but it is recruiting; if you are looking for a real opportunity to experience USNA life a CVW will do you more good.
 
I really don't see where the one over the other comes in as to whether a candidate should do either Boy's State or NASS.
It's SIMPLE! The Academy offers three different NASS sessions during the month of June. Boy's State in most states occurs for a one week period sometime during June; and all Boy's State candidates should know when that is. The solution as stated above is simple. You choose weeks where Boy's State is not occurring and list them as your first and second choice for NASS. Admissions has said in the past that they will work with NASS candidates on conflicts if their applications are sent in a timely manner; and they don't wait until the last minute when slots are pretty full.
While I'm on the subject of NASS, we have done both CVW and NASS. CVW basically consisted of shadowing midshipmen for an extended weekend as an OBSERVER. NASS consisted of actual work with CFA's, Sea Trials, mock Rates and PT along with evaluations and awards given for high performing candidates at the end.
NASS over CVW in a heartbeat!
As for Eagle Scout versus Boy's State (we've done both of these as well). Our perception is that Eagle Scout plays more to community service while Boy's State plays more to perceived leadership potential as evaluated by an outside non-Academy evaluation. That is probably why both are considered when determining an individual's WPS.
 
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NASS is like a Disney or theme-park version of USNA. The very fact that most people consider it fun/a blast means it is well-designed for its purpose -- providing another kind of outreach for USNA and helping fire up candidates to go through with the lengthy and difficult admissions process. However, even Theme Park Midshipman life convinces some potential applicants that military life is not for them, so it does have some utility in that regard as well.

The CVW isn't as fun -- you're an observer, it's not "all about you," and you're not getting pumped up to do spirit missions or get wet and sandy -- but it does give you an excellent opportunity to see what the day-to-day grind is like for plebes (and for the upperclass, if the visiting candidate tries hard to ask questions and listen).

However you do it, I highly highly advise a visit to the academy. Many a young would-be Spartan finds he does not like engineering classes (or getting up at 5 am every day, or cleaning his room all the time) and realizes USNA is not like the BUDs documentary he saw on Discovery Channel when he was 10. In my view, CVW is better suited for giving the real picture, but anything helps.
 
I'd beg to differ on that. I think you hit it on the head when you said "observer" at CVW. At NASS, you are actually doing hard work a significant portion of the time and being evaluated for it. CVW for us was "warm and fuzzy" - a true recruiting tool if there ever was one. NASS was more, "the Academy is probably a pretty hard regime - do I really want to do it?". Also a recruiting tool; but one that tends to separate the wheat from the chaff.
My suspicion is that many posters negative on NASS probably have no experience actually being accepted and doing it as opposed to being invited to a CVW which is much more available upon request.
 
Boys State as a leadership opportunity

Boys State is sponsored/run by the American Legion. It is a leadership building and problem-solving, week-long experience. Students work together in Cities, within Counties, within States, to campaign and elect officials for everything from Governor to Judges to County Commissioner. Speeches will be written and made. Debates and elections will be held. Budgets and laws will be written. Moving and heartwarming speeches from veterans and past Boys Staters will be made, as well as from other guest speakers. And finally talents will be shown off in a end-of-the week talent show.

Adult sponsors are usually American Legion members or past Boys State attendees. For any student who has never participated in his high school student council or talked one-to-one to a veteran about his experiences, it is a hands-on, eye-opening experience, albeit in a mock-up setting, of how our democracy works. It's not all serious either -- there is a lot of bonding on the athletic fields, late night brainstorming for upcoming elections, and getting to meet new friends.

My DS didn't know if he'd enjoy it, but he decided it was worth his time. Athletes, musicians, artists, academics -- it was a diverse group of students from around the state that showed up. And DS had a smile on his face at the closing ceremony. Priceless! It's a shame not every high schooler can or will participate.
 
NASS is like a Disney or theme-park version of USNA. The very fact that most people consider it fun/a blast means it is well-designed for its purpose -- providing another kind of outreach for USNA and helping fire up candidates to go through with the lengthy and difficult admissions process. However, even Theme Park Midshipman life convinces some potential applicants that military life is not for them, so it does have some utility in that regard as well.

The CVW isn't as fun -- you're an observer, it's not "all about you," and you're not getting pumped up to do spirit missions or get wet and sandy -- but it does give you an excellent opportunity to see what the day-to-day grind is like for plebes (and for the upperclass, if the visiting candidate tries hard to ask questions and listen).

However you do it, I highly highly advise a visit to the academy. Many a young would-be Spartan finds he does not like engineering classes (or getting up at 5 am every day, or cleaning his room all the time) and realizes USNA is not like the BUDs documentary he saw on Discovery Channel when he was 10. In my view, CVW is better suited for giving the real picture, but anything helps.


+1 I totally agree with every point you made.

I would go so far as to say that in many ways NASS gives a false "things are so happy-fun-positive" impression of Plebe life that it can be a double shocker over Plebe Summer when plebes expected it to be like NASS. NASS is in no way close to resembling plebe summer.
 
I don't think anyone ever said that it was. My point is that NASS is not "fluff" as a few of the posts imply. It is a five day fairly intense period where there are responsibilities to be mastered and challenges to be met. CVW was useful too but mainly in the sense of," this is what the Academy lifestyle is like in the context of an institution of higher education". No real hard work or challenges - just observing. I guess we'll just have to disagree. I think most people on this forum will agree that it's harder to get accepted to NASS than it is to request a CVW.
 
I just texted my son at usna, he said "NASS is fluff"
sorry.

I would suggest that you ask your DD/DS this question a year from now.

also I would suggest that there are more who attend NASS than get CVW. Yes you may get it if you ask but just looking at the numbers...
 
does not attending one of the candidate weekend visits hurt one's chances of appointment. I went to NASS and felt it was unnecessary to take someone else's spot at the weekend visit when I already knew I wanted to attend the USNA
 
does not attending one of the candidate weekend visits hurt one's chances of appointment. I went to NASS and felt it was unnecessary to take someone else's spot at the weekend visit when I already knew I wanted to attend the USNA

No, it is entirely for the candidate and independent of the application process. If you've been to USNA and feel you have enough information to make a decision if you are offered an appointment, it isn't necessary to go, especially if it is financially difficult. If you can go, it is an entirely different experience from NASS and recommended. You won't regret it. And it doesn't take away from anyone else getting an offer/going -- it is offered to competitive candidates.
 
Don't worry about it!
The advantage CVW gives you is exposure to a different type of experience for you to use in making your Academy decision.
Remember, you actually competed for your slot at NASS.
CVW is basically available to any candidate who is reasonably qualified and - if not invited - just contacts Admissions requesting a CVW.
 
I sent in my NASS application about 2 hours after it opened and was offered a CVW a few days ago. I'll be attending the March CVW, will anyone else? Does this mean I'm a strong candidate or is it just because I got the application in quickly?
 
I sent in my NASS application about 2 hours after it opened and was offered a CVW a few days ago. I'll be attending the March CVW, will anyone else? Does this mean I'm a strong candidate or is it just because I got the application in quickly?

maybe a little of both -- either way, go, enjoy, then when you return start working on your application!
 
On the whole NASS vs. CVW debate: As a junior who recently applied to NASS and got a CVW invite, I see pros to both. Ultimately, I think NASS is basically a recruiting tool to get people to want to apply (especially those from underrepresented areas, which is one reason why it's so competitive). NASS gives you interaction with mids, but not plebes. CVW gives you a lot of interaction with plebes and gives you a chance to see the whole Brigade together. It's sort of comparing apples and oranges, because they have a bit of a different purpose from one another.

usnahopeful19--I still need to call them, but I'm aiming for the March session.
 
I sent in my NASS application about 2 hours after it opened and was offered a CVW a few days ago. I'll be attending the March CVW, will anyone else? Does this mean I'm a strong candidate or is it just because I got the application in quickly?

My son will be attending the March CVW. :smile:
 
Same story here but April CVW.. nursing an injury right now or would have picked March
 
Just do both. I applied to NASS and received an invitation to an April CVW last year but could not attend due to a Lacrosse tournament, however when August passed around I was invited for another CVW in October. I took that opportunity and it was 100% worth it.
 
On the whole NASS vs. CVW debate: As a junior who recently applied to NASS and got a CVW invite, I see pros to both. Ultimately, I think NASS is basically a recruiting tool to get people to want to apply (especially those from underrepresented areas, which is one reason why it's so competitive). NASS gives you interaction with mids, but not plebes. CVW gives you a lot of interaction with plebes and gives you a chance to see the whole Brigade together. It's sort of comparing apples and oranges, because they have a bit of a different purpose from one another.
Just do both. I applied to NASS and received an invitation to an April CVW last year but could not attend due to a Lacrosse tournament, however when August passed around I was invited for another CVW in October. I took that opportunity and it was 100% worth it.
Ditto the above. Do both if you can you can. DD (Class of 2017, recently slated as a 2014 NASS Detailer) did both, and says that they were very different experiences that helped inform her decision to attend.
 
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