Is a CVW considered a “recruiting tool”, similar to the mission of summer seminar? Or is a CVW’s mission different? From the perspective of USNA. I understand it’s a different perspective for the participant (student life for CVW, vs Summer seminar). Curious if each is a recruiting tool, or is there a different mission of each program?
It is a
recruiting tool aimed at highly-qualified candidates who may be "on the fence" about attending a Service Academy as opposed to a civilian University. Many of these candidates have a LOT of options (including full-ride scholarships to other schools). The Naval Academy wants these candidates, but also wants them to see what normal academic life is like at the Academy. They will come away from the experience with fewer questions about whether or not they are the right fit for a Service Academy. Many will decide;
"Yes! This is the place for me!" while others will experience it and say;
"No way. This is not what I want. I'm going to a regular college!"
My son was under the impression that CVW didn’t mean anything - it was just a way for candidates to see the naval academy.
When he was there, his hosts told him it did matter.
My question is do the hosts write a report or give an opinion to the naval academy about the candidate? My son loved his hosts, stays in touch with them, and hopes to join them.
Yes. Plebes will do a short write-up of their "drag" (candidate) for their Company Commander. What that CC does with it, is anyone's guess. They are not being "tested" in any way while they are there, however. Candidates should go with plenty of questions and absorb as much as they can, while they are there (Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning).
My DD has a LOA and a MOC nom. She is waiting to see about a DODMERB waiver. She received an email inviting her to a CVW. We are on the fence about scheduling before we are sure of the waiver.... Info for you and also a request for advice.
I will assume that the waiver is the only thing standing in the way of a fully-qualified Offer of Appointment? If it is a common waiver, then the odds are good that she will receive the waiver (and hence the Offer). If you can swing it, send her to the CVW. I have never heard a candidate say that it was a "bad" experience (even the ones who ultimately received a TWE or decided not to accept an Offer of Appointment).