<p>Is there a link that gives the purpose of the CVW? If my son has visited campus and attended NASS does the CVW help in the appointment process? Don't get me wrong, he'd love to go, but a trip from CA is an investment on several levels.</p>
<p>if your son thinks he has a good idea of what Academy life is like, then i wouldnt break the bank to make it to a CVW.</p>
<p>They have to invite you to that right? Is there any particular group of people that they single out?</p>
<p>yes, USNA extends letters of invite. that said, if you've not received one, you might inquire of your regional admission officer. I believe it is more than safe saying that administrivia and list management are not strengths of the process. :confused:</p>
<p>In fact we got 2 invites. we'll send you one if you'd like? ;)</p>
<p>Good luck. Go get 'em. :cool:</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Tom, Tom are you rubbing the kids nose in it?</p>
<p><struggles to="" grab="" invite=""> :)</struggles></p>
<p>Thanks, I'll see about contacting my regional director.</p>
<p>To answer the original question, the CVW does not help in the appointment process -- in that it won't be a factor in whether your son gets in. Generally, CVWs are offered to highly qualified candidates. Thus, as a general rule (there are exceptions), someone offered a CVW who is medically qualified and gets a nom has a good chance of being given an appointment. </p>
<p>Attending or not attending a CVW won't change that. They're offered to benefit candidates only and assist in the admissions process in that they are yet one more benchmark a student has in making his/her decision.</p>
<p>The difference between a CVW and NASS is that you can see what life is like when the brigade is there. You attend real classes and other activities and spend about 36 hours with a plebe. Thus, it probably provides somewhat of a more realistic idea of what life as a plebe is like during the year.</p>
<p>If cost were not an issue (as with candidates in the local area), I believe that candidates should take every opportunity to visit USNA and learn about it before they show up. However, since cost is apparently an issue, you and your son need to weigh the benefits of additional data points vs. that monetary cost.</p>
<p>BTW, I'm not aware on any link re the purpose of CVWs. However, the purpose is to expose candidates to life as a plebe by having the candidate follow a plebe around (to class, sports activities, pep rallies, etc.). There is a version of these WEs for recruited athletes as well. </p>
<p>A lot of folks wonder whether they need to/should attend CVWs if they attended NASS. It is a different perspective. I'm not sure whether a CVW would fundamentally change the opinion of someone who attended NASS and was sure of his/her decision to attend USNA. However, they can be very beneficial to someone trying to decide between SAs, someone who attended a summer seminar at another SA but is applying to USNA, and/or someone who is still trying to decide if USNA is right for him/her.</p>
<p>If your son is 100% sure about USNA, then I would say that the time and expense for a trip from CA may not be worth it, given that he's done NASS. If you sense any hesitation, doubt or uncertainty, I would make the effort to get him out there. It's really about an investment in his future and whatever it costs today will be more than made up for by his making the right decision now.</p>
<p>I would have to second USNA 1985...</p>
<p>If your candidate is sure about his/her choice, then the CVW may not add anything to that. If, on the other hand, they are on the fence about the USNA, or between 2 academies or between 2 schools, by all means attend the CVW. </p>
<p>IMHO, the more exposure and insight into the choices before them, the better the outcome.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great advice and insight. Not sure how we would figure this out without this forum.</p>
<p>I went to the cvw in october and it was a great experience, i would recommend it to anyone who is able to go I made friends at the academy and my plebe got to write an evaluation about me which i hope helps.</p>