Overnight Visit

[Candidate987]

I will be attending an overnight visit to West Point and was wondering if anyone could provide me with some insight about what I can expect during my visit. What should I bring? What happens when I meet with an admissions officer? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Teragram]

DD went in November and basically there were briefs by admissions on morning of arrival, followed by a tour conducted by a cadet and then your cadet sponsor will pick you up. You will attend classes, meals, practice, etc. with them for the rest of the visit. DD's visit with her RC was a quick hello and put a name with a face since she is in constant contact with him and knows exactly where she is with her application. If you do not have this type of ongoing counsel with your RC, I suspect an admissions counselor (not necessarily yours) will sit down and give you some tips to improve your file if necessary. As far as what to bring, you will receive a packing list with your confirmation email. Basically khaki/polo for classes, some workout clothes, something to sleep in, toiletries and something to do during study hours (such as schoolwork, book to read).

 

[SeaMars]

No sleeping bag needed?

 

[rwjohnson416]

No sleeping bag needed?

My Cadet got me a foldable type cot that I slept on and I used one of thier blankets. If you can fit it, a sleeping bag would be nice but it's not necessary. Most Cadets even offer to switch and let the CC's sleep in their bed, but I opted not to since I didn't want to be an annoyance.

 

[brovol]

DD went in November and basically there were briefs by admissions on morning of arrival, followed by a tour conducted by a cadet and then your cadet sponsor will pick you up. You will attend classes, meals, practice, etc. with them for the rest of the visit. DD's visit with her RC was a quick hello and put a name with a face since she is in constant contact with him and knows exactly where she is with her application. If you do not have this type of ongoing counsel with your RC, I suspect an admissions counselor (not necessarily yours) will sit down and give you some tips to improve your file if necessary. As far as what to bring, you will receive a packing list with your confirmation email. Basically khaki/polo for classes, some workout clothes, something to sleep in, toiletries and something to do during study hours (such as schoolwork, book to read).

This is it exactly.

Last year my son's visit was kind of host by committee, as his official host was sick so his roommates took him around. He slept on a mattress that they pulled from another room. He attended everything, including drills. My son loved his visit, and knew he wanted USMA when we picked him up in the morning. It became a certainty when his RC asked to speak with us that morning and told my son he was getting an appointment. This was in early January, so it was a great bonus.

Enjoy the visit. Maybe my son will be the host.

 

[jagger19]

I host Cadet Candidates all the time, my next one coming on the 24th, and I let them use my bed while I take the cot. Other than that, what I generally do is take them on a tour of the important buildings; Jefferson, Thayer, and Washington Halls, as well as the gym. I'd bring some kind of workout clothes, in case your Cadet wants to work out; you'll get to go with them.

Other than that, come in slacks and a sweater with some decent shoes. Just be presentable, this is more than a look around - this is admission's first time actually seeing you, most likely, so it's best to make a good impression.

 

[skippers]

Hi all - I've looked for information on this and can't seem to locate it - hoping that maybe someone can shed some light on this. My DS is doing an overnight later this month; I will be bringing him down the night before and dropping him off at 745AM; is there any sort of program for parents? Or is a simple drop off and pick up next day?

Many thanks for any insights!

 

[Teragram]

Hi all - I've looked for information on this and can't seem to locate it - hoping that maybe someone can shed some light on this. My DS is doing an overnight later this month; I will be bringing him down the night before and dropping him off at 745AM; is there any sort of program for parents? Or is a simple drop off and pick up next day?

Many thanks for any insights!

Yes, there are parent briefings with admissions and parent group that provide lots of helpful information.

 

[skippers]

Thank you Teragram! Do you know - are those briefings, etc in the morning of the day of drop off?

 

[txmomma]

Thank you Teragram! Do you know - are those briefings, etc in the morning of the day of drop off?

When we went up there we were given an itinerary for the next day as son as we got there to drop DS off. It really was a full Day for Parents as well. Brief in the morning, (overview ) very detailed and informative, Lunch with a few presentations, Tour in the afternoon, a short break in the evening then Parent Social and a formal dinner later at night. DS was in a group so it might be different for you. I was so happy we went. Very Informative.

 

[Teragram]

Thank you Teragram! Do you know - are those briefings, etc in the morning of the day of drop off?

The admissions one will be on morning of drop off and you and your DS will attend before his cadet sponsor picks him up. They will have a cadet and admissions officer do briefing and then everyone will go on tour. After that your DS will leave and the parents group will be after break for lunch.

 

[brovol]

Thank you Teragram! Do you know - are those briefings, etc in the morning of the day of drop off?

Usually you sit in on the briefing the morning before you drop the kid off, but they do them every day

 

[swatdude]

Skippers, don't worry about messing up on your visit. My DS also has an overnight visit scheduled towards the end of the month. I promise you won't be alone. If it wasn't for this forum, I would be totally clueless on what to do/expect. I will probably still screw up and embarrass my poor DS!!

 

[Mcjlt]

We just finished an overnight with our son Monday - awesome experience. There was some presentations for the whole group, a walking tour and then the cadets came for the kids, and the parents stayed for more presentations. We also got to go to the cadet store and had lunch there. We were done about 12:45. After that we went to the visitor's center and bought tickets for the bus tour, which was great. Our tour guide was Mary and she was fabulous. We picked him up again the next day at admissions about 12:30. I was so happy we visited, it was an amazing experience. You will be so happy you did!!