USMA overnight visit report

williamsdr3

williamsdr3

Parent of USNA Mid '24
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
Messages
378
Parent portion -

I thought some might find info on the overnight visit helpful. This is parent information and hope to post some perspective from my son once I see him tomorrow (currently in the middle of the Mon/Tues overnight tour). I may not be 100% correct on the details but this is what I gathered.

Arrived little before 7:45 a.m. for the admissions briefing start. Cadet presented "daily cadet life" briefing and then admissions officer presented his admissions "how to get apply" brief. Most attending seemed to be already in the application process. Admissions officer took parents and candidates on a brief tour, most of whom were on the day visit (half-day) and four of whom were on the overnight visit (LOE/LOA/appointment holders). We were able to walk around as a group the main academic center of campus which is normally restricted entry area. Very much enjoyed the Arvin gym where some students were doing the military movement (Army gymnastics some will say) class and one of the pools with a very high diving platform said to be a requirement to jump off. Saw the Plain (parade ground), some statues, the mess hall (Washington Hall) where 4400 cadets sit down together for lunch every day. Tour was pretty brief and had to jump back to Admissions Office for 9:30 pickup by cadets. Daily and overnight visit candidates paired off with their assigned cadet while parents waited in the next room. They left (day visitors to return at 12:30) and same admissions officer did an open Q&A for about 45 minutes. Lots of good questions from parents. Confirmed again what I already read on the forum that GPA is not being considered. The morning schedule in the overnight tour letter said there would be a parents club presentation but it was never mentioned.

Then admissions officer took parents back out in the restricted area to the beautiful fairly new library Jefferson Hall so people could get coffee at Starbucks and visit library if desired, dropping off those interested. He then proceeded to take those interested to the West Point Club so they could eat lunch by 12:30.

In the library, highly recommend taking elevator to top floor to see the outstanding view of the Plain, campus, and the scenery from the outside deck. I realized later there are also some President Jefferson invention exhibit which I didn't get to see. The library visitors made our own way and we decided to visit West Point Club for lunch. Buffet or cafeteria style options. Inexpensive and decent. Best meal I have had in the area in 3 days but nothing to write home about.

Was very impressed with the kindness of two different USMA faculty, one (math) who offered to take me to another building I hadn't seen, Thayer Hall, when I had asked about a gift shop. I wouldn't have been able to go there and glimpse into a bunch of classrooms (in progress) without her escort. Then when I got lost exiting Thayer (cadets pointed me out a different exit), a law professor not only helped me get out but walked me around to 2 more buildings (one with gargoyles) and Jefferson library again just to show me around a bit more in the restricted area. Very thoughtful and exceeded expectations.

My favorite part of the morning was just walking down the pedestrian areas of the center of campus watching the flood of cadets in uniform saluting our admissions officer tour leader and seeing how sharp they looked.

Tomorrow is our pickup of the overnight visit candidates. More then.
 
williamsdr3 said:
Parent portion -

I thought some might find info on the overnight visit helpful. This is parent information and hope to post some perspective from my son once I see him tomorrow (currently in the middle of the Mon/Tues overnight tour). I may not be 100% correct on the details but this is what I gathered.

Arrived little before 7:45 a.m. for the admissions briefing start. Cadet presented "daily cadet life" briefing and then admissions officer presented his admissions "how to get apply" brief. Most attending seemed to be already in the application process. Admissions officer took parents and candidates on a brief tour, most of whom were on the day visit (half-day) and four of whom were on the overnight visit (LOE/LOA/appointment holders). We were able to walk around as a group the main academic center of campus which is normally restricted entry area. Very much enjoyed the Arvin gym where some students were doing the military movement (Army gymnastics some will say) class and one of the pools with a very high diving platform said to be a requirement to jump off. Saw the Plain (parade ground), some statues, the mess hall (Washington Hall) where 4400 cadets sit down together for lunch every day. Tour was pretty brief and had to jump back to Admissions Office for 9:30 pickup by cadets. Daily and overnight visit candidates paired off with their assigned cadet while parents waited in the next room. They left (day visitors to return at 12:30) and same admissions officer did an open Q&A for about 45 minutes. Lots of good questions from parents. Confirmed again what I already read on the forum that GPA is not being considered. The morning schedule in the overnight tour letter said there would be a parents club presentation but it was never mentioned.

Then admissions officer took parents back out in the restricted area to the beautiful fairly new library Jefferson Hall so people could get coffee at Starbucks and visit library if desired, dropping off those interested. He then proceeded to take those interested to the West Point Club so they could eat lunch by 12:30.

In the library, highly recommend taking elevator to top floor to see the outstanding view of the Plain, campus, and the scenery from the outside deck. I realized later there are also some President Jefferson invention exhibit which I didn't get to see. The library visitors made our own way and we decided to visit West Point Club for lunch. Buffet or cafeteria style options. Inexpensive and decent. Best meal I have had in the area in 3 days but nothing to write home about.

Was very impressed with the kindness of two different USMA faculty, one (math) who offered to take me to another building I hadn't seen, Thayer Hall, when I had asked about a gift shop. I wouldn't have been able to go there and glimpse into a bunch of classrooms (in progress) without her escort. Then when I got lost exiting Thayer (cadets pointed me out a different exit), a law professor not only helped me get out but walked me around to 2 more buildings (one with gargoyles) and Jefferson library again just to show me around a bit more in the restricted area. Very thoughtful and exceeded expectations.

My favorite part of the morning was just walking down the pedestrian areas of the center of campus watching the flood of cadets in uniform saluting our admissions officer tour leader and seeing how sharp they looked.

Tomorrow is our pickup of the overnight visit candidates. More then.
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Hi there, thanks for the update. You have mentioned in the post that “GPA is not being considered”. Is this a type for ‘now’? We have been informed that WP will consider gpa instead of class rank.
 
If you can, get to Chapel. The gift shop attached to the Visitors Center and the West Point Museum are probably the most comprehensive. Enjoy your visit.
 
I apologize, I made a mistake on the GPA comment. I mean that class rank is not being considered. May been a typo for "now."
 
Parent portion (day 2) - Nothing for parents to do but kill the morning and wait for candidates to return at 12:30 to Admissions. I went to campus early about 10:00 a.m. in my car and visited Redoubt 4 (Revolutionary War-era fortification with great view) for 10 minutes and tried to visit Ft. Putnam but it was "closed indefinitely due to staff cuts." Then had the idea to try to go catch the lunchtime formation which is at 11:48 on weekdays (or at least today). I wasn't sure I could get close enough because USMA has a restricted entry area on the main part of campus we can't enter without escort. However, I was able to park the car at Buffalo Soldier Field again, ride the shuttle bus to the Plain/Doubleday baseball field,and then walk up to to the edge of the restricted area and see the cadets forming up at Washington (Mess) Hall. It wasn't as grand as I thought - kind of over quickly and a big construction project in front of the mess hall may be impeding the way they normally do it. I remember it being a bigger marchin type deal at Texas A&M every day back in the day. But still recommended to check it out. Then you can walk (quasi-within regulations but was advised to do so by multiple staff) along the main road back to Admissions for the 12:30 candidate pickup - which technically is in the restricted area. You could also ride the bus back but it is very near.

My candidate son returned at 12:15 a little early and I got to briefly meet his plebe who seemed very nice. Then we waited around with other folks till 1 pm when the one on one admissions meetings started - you had to sign up on a list that day. We were last and got out of there at 1:50 which was getting late and means I missed our planned lunch (for me) at West Point Club nearby which closes at 2 pm. Parents had been invited to attend in the previous day's briefings, but when it came time for the candidates to meet with the admissions personnel, they mentioned parents were invited but generally the candidates didn't want them coming.

Hard to say what went on in the meeting since I wasn't there but it seemed they pulled his file up and my son could see the notes from his RC that they had talked on the phone recently "talked to CC" - nothing of any import. Mainly the admissions person (not our regional commander) asked what my son what his questions were and he had a few questions about resubmitting updated CFA, if a waiver would be requested for him (most likely - needs to call RC about it), etc. I think each candidate met for about 10 minutes. He was told the LOE meant there was "serious interest" in his file.

One point I may have forgot from yesterday's briefing that I thought was interesting is when I asked what is the earliest and what is the latest appointments would be offered - answer was late Feb to May. I was surprised as I thought a few early appointments went out earlier than that. Have to go look at the appointments thread from last year.
 
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Other things I visited before and after the official visit: West Point Bowling Center (killing time while waiting for flight), Old Chapel, New Chapel, Cemetery (went on 2 hour West Point Tours cemetery tour from the Visitor's Center, which I enjoyed), Association of Graduates (AOG) Gift Shop - by far the best of the four gift shops (Visitor's Center, Cadet Store in Thayer Hall (needs escort to drop you), P/X Commissary) I saw with some very nice stuff completely different quality of apparel at least than other shops. We only bought one tiny thing there but everything is available online and that is where I would stock up if my son is so fortunate to get an appointment. Other than the campus itself, the highlight of the visit from a parent perspective was the Visitor's Center only exhibit which can take as long as 30 mins-1 hour to go through in detail. It was fantastic and apparently a new exhibit since just 1-3 years ago. West Point Museum also worth visiting but it is more of the dark, dingy lighting old style weapons museum. Didn't get to see all of it before it closed that day (4:45).

Other logistical points - parking is really only available at Buffalo Soldier Field during the day but at 3:30 many of the permit parking spots open up around campus. But there are places not in the heart of campus like commissary (we had to eat at Taco Bell there after West Point Club closed lunch), bowling center, AOG, Redoubt 4 that you can park any time. So if you want to visit more the main part of campus you need to take the shuttle bus in during the day and you can drive around and stop various places (except the restricted area) starting around 3:30 pm weekdays and weekends I think any time. It was complicated figuring out all of this over several days so hope this helps the logistics-obsessed like me.

Also, maps are hard to find. Be sure to pick one up (which shows the restricted area) while at Admissions the first day. If you are there earlier than the visit start, I would try to get one at the Visitor's Center if they have them.
 
Student portion of visit - Attended four meals with cadet. Visited several classes (chemistry labs are dope!). Classes are small just like they say. Boxing was dope. Library was dope with great resources and databases. Great view from top floor patio. Worked out with his cadet and tried out the IOCT?? military movement course which was cool. Chilled in barracks with roommates. Three to a room plus the "drag" made four. Slept on plebe's bed as plebe kindly insisted on taking the cot. There were extra blankets - son didn't bring any bedding. Attended Glee Club rehearsal - dope (my son was paired with a Glee Club cadet at his request for his overnight visit when the Glee Club director very kindly offered to set that up when we inquired on their Facebook page about any weekend performances - so pleased for that serendipity). Studied and chilled in the barracks in evening. Went to bed at 10:30 or 11:00. Woke up at 5:30 for plebe duties (cleaning, etc.). More classes, formation, and lunch.

Usually my son's plebe is very busy but for some reason he had some cancelled classes and it was a surprisingly slow week so they had a lot of time to talk and relax.

Cadets decided my son is bad luck because unfortunately when he was at SLE in June, the cadet died in the vehicle rollover incident, and this time a cadet went AWOL with his rifle while my son was visiting. There were police and sirens plus a helicopter overhead that I assume may have been part of the search. Cadets were on more restrictions than usual per the cow we know there. Overall a good visit according to son but for reasons I cannot seem to elicit he has switched from USMA number one to tied with USNA to USNA ahead now that he has overnight visited both. But he would be honored to serve anywhere he could, especially given his tough medical waiver needed.

I was very impressed with USMA and haven't visited USNA. I can say for sure, though, that Annapolis beats the heck out of Highland Falls!
 
Thank you so much for the post! My son is scheduled for an overnight in November. This is very valuable info! He went to CVW and Summer Seminar at USNA, so excited to check out USMA. If you do get more details about why USNA moved to #1, please share! Would love to hear his reasons. Thanks again for taking the time to fill us in!
 
williamsdr3 said:
Student portion of visit - Attended four meals with cadet. Visited several classes (chemistry labs are dope!). Classes are small just like they say. Boxing was dope. Library was dope with great resources and databases. Great view from top floor patio. Worked out with his cadet and tried out the IOCT?? military movement course which was cool. Chilled in barracks with roommates. Three to a room plus the "drag" made four. Slept on plebe's bed as plebe kindly insisted on taking the cot. There were extra blankets - son didn't bring any bedding. Attended Glee Club rehearsal - dope (my son was paired with a Glee Club cadet at his request for his overnight visit when the Glee Club director very kindly offered to set that up when we inquired on their Facebook page about any weekend performances - so pleased for that serendipity). Studied and chilled in the barracks in evening. Went to bed at 10:30 or 11:00. Woke up at 5:30 for plebe duties (cleaning, etc.). More classes, formation, and lunch.

Usually my son's plebe is very busy but for some reason he had some cancelled classes and it was a surprisingly slow week so they had a lot of time to talk and relax.

Cadets decided my son is bad luck because unfortunately when he was at SLE in June, the cadet died in the vehicle rollover incident, and this time a cadet went AWOL with his rifle while my son was visiting. There were police and sirens plus a helicopter overhead that I assume may have been part of the search. Cadets were on more restrictions than usual per the cow we know there. Overall a good visit according to son but for reasons I cannot seem to elicit he has switched from USMA number one to tied with USNA to USNA ahead now that he has overnight visited both. But he would be honored to serve anywhere he could, especially given his tough medical waiver needed.

I was very impressed with USMA and haven't visited USNA. I can say for sure, though, that Annapolis beats the heck out of Highland Falls!
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Remind him, that for today only he was a Beta in the land of Alphas. There is an edge there on the newer Cadets due to the grind. They are bound to give a new prospect, "The Business." Because they get it so much themselves. Dropped classes are common and to be taken advantage of for study time or personal organization. Get him to realize a slightly bruised ego shouldn't take his mind off of the long term goal. Once those same kids become his Battle Buddies the dynamic changes and they all suffer together bonding tightly under the pressures. It's a unique place.
 
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