Visiting USAFA

2

2025mustelse

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Apr 23, 2020
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151
Can any of the moderators/ parents on here see the future and speculate if the campus will be open for candidate visits? I’ve already attended the virtual tours and I understand that there is a drive by tour; however, nothing beats the real thing. Any thoughts or ideas to visit the academy would be appreciated and also if purchasing a plane ticket for the drive by tour is worth it.
 
2025mustelse said:
Can any of the moderators/ parents on here see the future and speculate if the campus will be open for candidate visits?
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Well, it is highly unlikely that anyone on here can "see the future and speculate" with regard to your question. :rolleyes:

That said, we are in an unprecedented and deadly pandemic. When it is "under control" and it is safe to visit, USAFA will let you know.

Buying a plane ticket from anywhere to "drive by" is not likely to be a good use of time or resources.
 
Totally understand, but as you are likely aware there will probably not be any visits for a few months and likely perhaps not in time for it to have a huge impact for you.

The value in being there is getting the "feel" for campus and talking to cadets, faculty, etc. You have many ways at your disposal to do that "electronically" and you can always reach out to Admissions staff to see if they can help.
 
Interestingly, my DD liked the dorms at USAFA more than USNA though I thought the hallways were dark and bunker like. I thought the dorm room was big but liked that USNA have own showers. She said that doesn’t matter to her. Generational gap??? I would have loved an in room rather than hall shower in my college days.... Even an in room sink would’ve been a godsend!
 
2025mustelse said:
Great! Thanks for the answer. That’s the stuff that I could only experience if I were to visit.
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True. She was fortunate to do CVW at USNA in Feb so does have true comparison. And she toured USCGA when her brother tried for an appointment a few years back.
 
I was able to take my DS on the windshield tour in October. We were not able to visit with any cadets or admissions office. It was nice to drive the campus and get a glimpse of what life may be like if he able to go to USAFA. He enjoyed the tour and stated, “this makes it feel more real”. We understood the parameters for a windshield tour, but he wished he could have sat in on a class or walked the dorms. We have watched a bunch of videos to see and experience but not the same. We were grateful for the glimpse but wished for a more normal campus visit.
 
My DS, now a C3C at USAFA, my wife and I never saw the campus in person until the day before IDay. He didn’t get selected for SS or anything else. He also didn’t receive his appointment until May so all the appointee visits were over too. If you truly know where you want and need to be you can see all you need online and in photos. The place is special and you’ll appreciate your decision even more when you finally see it in person. You will be in awe at its beauty and landscape. No actual visit will prepare you for what’s going to happen your doolie year and the valued friends and family you will know to come. Good luck.
 
Recommend you NOT purchase a plane ticket to visit. Currently, no visitors are allowed through the USAFA gates (military ID or DBIDS only). Don't think even Academy leadership is able to predict when there will be a change to this policy.
 
@2025mustelse to directly answer your question: NO, I would not book plane tickets to visit at this time, given the current situation. However, it is for you to be resourceful and find a way to "experience" USAFA. Have you reached out to your GC and other connections at your own school for alumni, or the local parents group or AOG to connect you with current area students that are NOW at home on break, willing to speak with you? In North Texas, they are having a get together right after the Wreaths Across America event specifically inviting Candidates of Class of 2025 - is there something like this in your area, or close enough to drive to? Also reach out to your ALO and evaluator ALO. My DD had more of a relationship with her evaluator ALO, happened organically, that they communicated more. While you won't get a bricks & mortar experience, it is also about the PEOPLE.

If world events change and you do get at least the drive by experience, then also visit as much of COS as you can, to get the experience of what you would do/see/experience when not on campus.

@BCMTIM , wonderful you got the windshield tour. Would you elaborate further how you were able to do this - was it a specific, lucky window that you got on base, do you have DoD access, etc? I am with @USAFAGradMom ; as a C4C parent, we have never stepped foot in the Cadet area, and have waited at North gate parking lot for not-PW, Columbus Day, and are awaiting DD's release from Q&I for pickup at North Gate parking lot, eta 12/14.
 
HCopter said:
@BCMTIM , wonderful you got the windshield tour. Would you elaborate further how you were able to do this - was it a specific, lucky window that you got on base, do you have DoD access, etc? I am with @USAFAGradMom ; as a C4C parent, we have never stepped foot in the Cadet area, and have waited at North gate parking lot for not-PW, Columbus Day, and are awaiting DD's release from Q&I for pickup at North Gate parking lot, eta 12/14
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We signed up via the Admissions website. I believe the timing was just right in relation to Covid-19. We were able to get on campus with the pass provided but I think the base is locked down to visitors now due to Covid-19. We were able to drive up close to Falcon stadium, visitor center, parking areas, and intramural fields. We were able to take pictures from the car, but not get out of the car. After we scheduled our trip, I called in advance attempting to get a personal visit with admissions or current cadet. It was denied. It ended up as a good trip with a father & son.
 
@BCMTIM WONDERFUL your timing was ideal! I can't emphasis enough - see if your local parents group or AOG are having any events. Again, we are doing Wreaths Across America (fingers crossed current health posture will allow us to proceed!) they will have a 1 1/2 hour social afterwards, and I think those candidates that take advantage of it will really enjoy it - coffee, donuts, volunteer service, and the triumvirate of parents, graduates, and Cadets all ready to give you their perspectives!
 
My daughter and I visited USAFA last week. We signed up on the site for a "Windshield Tour." We spent about and hour and a half driving around the campus. You cannot get out of your car but we thoroughly enjoyed the time there. We stayed 2 nights in COS and explored the area too. Was worth the trip so she has some idea what the campus looks like. She has said over and over how glad she is that we went!
 
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