- 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.
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.