<p>Any advice on what to take or look out for?</p>
<p>Just bring enough clothes...coat and tie for the banquet/dinner thing (if they are doing that again this year).</p>
<p>Running shoes and workout clothes..I advise you do the morning workout with your plebe's company if there is one.</p>
<p>I can't think of anything else you'll need (well...toiletries obviously). Are you coming to the one this week?</p>
<p>Some companies do "pool PT" for Saturday Morning Training (SMT), so you should take a bathing suit/swim trunks, just in case.</p>
<p>Cvw? .</p>
<p>^^ cvw is Candidate Visit Weekend.</p>
<p>Yup, coming up this week. Hope its nice and warm in Annapolis right now :p</p>
<p>Ah, I was suppsoed to go as well, but apperently my regional director didn't register me when I clearly requested her to do so. Now I am signed up for the CVW in January, so I'm wondering about what kind of activities I'll be doing then. Anyone have any info on this?</p>
<p>i don't think there is a banquet this year. Is there?</p>
<p>there was no mention of a banquet in my confirmation letter and just instructed me to bring "tasteful, casual comfortable clothes, swimwear, workout clothes, toiletries, and sheets, etc. Does anyone know how they pair you up. Is it random?</p>
<p>The banquet has been done on only one of the CVWs over the past 2 years, usually one of the very early in the year dates. It has been geared toward the minority group recruitment efforts. I've not heard if there is to be one this year or if there is/are alternative type events. Don't sweat this if you've not heard. Many of those who've attended the CVW when they've had the banquet did not even get invitations, altho it does not appear to be "exclusive." Rather, the non-minority candidates were not the focus in the past, as I understand it.</p>
<p>For those of you attending CVW, remember that the PRIMARY purpose is to provide you more info on life at USNA and, especially, life as a plebe. There is obviously no way that a single WE can impart to you all that's relevant/important but, for those of you who attended NASS, this is yet another point of reference and for those who couldn't attend NASS, this may be your one shot to see what your next four years will be like. </p>
<p>It's very easy to be an observer and observing is rarely the same as doing. For example, it's one thing to watch a parade and quite another to march in one. Thus, to maximize your experience at USNA, try to put yourself in the shoes of the plebes. Don't think, "wow, isn't it neat to watch someone get yelled at while doing a chow call," but rather consider how you would deal with that if it were you. Don't think, "isn't it cool how they fold their socks and shirts so they all look neat and alike," but rather how you will deal with having to fold your clothes the exact same way. Don't think, "that guy/gal is a nutcase for scrubbing his/her shower with a black sock," but consider that they're not nuts and that you'll probably be doing it a year from now.</p>
<p>If you think it's boring that everyone studies on Friday nights, don't lull yourself into thinking it was an exception and that you'll be partying hardy on Friday nights when you're at USNA. If you go home on Sunday to your video games, email, TV, etc., consider that when you're at USNA those won't be options on Sundays or Mondays or Tuesdays or Wednesdays . . . </p>
<p>The above is not intended to paint a negative portrait of life at USNA; rather, a realistic one. The other things you may not feel during CVW but you (typically) will as a mid are the incredible sense of pride walking down Stribling in your uniform, the calm of running along the seawall on a crisp fall morning (along the seawall, not on it!), the comaraderie with your classmates and company-mates, the excitement of "swim call" after a long plebe summer day, and so many other little and big things that help make up for some of the sacrifices you'll make along the way.</p>
<p>Use your CVW to help decide if USNA is where you want to be. But remember, if you choose USNA, you'll be on the inside looking out (not the outside looking in as you are at CVW). And that's a great place to be . . . if YOU want to be there. And that is want CVW is largely about.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>One other thing, this is THE time to ask questions. Not questions on admissions procedures, whether you'll get in, etc. Current mids don't really know or, frankly, care because they're already in -- and those types of questions are better addressed to your BGO.</p>
<p>What you SHOULD ask are all the things you really want to know about USNA that your BGO may or may not know. For example, how often will you get to see your girl/boyfriend? Do you really have to spend all WE studying? How easy/hard it is to attend away football games? What choice do you have in roommates? Will you get access to email and when? What sorts of things are best for care packages? How do you select classes, majors, and profs? How hard is it to get EI (extra instruction) from a prof? How much leave (vacation) do you get and how far in advance can you plan? Do mids really get Cs and Ds and Fs? And on and on.</p>
<p>There really are no stupid questions. And there is no better source for current policy/practice than current mids -- and you're surrounded by them. </p>
<p>My suggestion is to start now writing down all the questions you have because, in the excitement of the moment, you'll forget a lot of them. Take the list with you. (Okay, don't actually pull it out and read from it -- that's a bit dorky!). But make sure that, by the end of the WE, you've had most of your question answered.</p>
<p>As always, USNA1985's posts above are full of good information. I would make one comment about asking questions about privileges, etc. during CVW. No matter what you are told about what's allowed, do NOT assume that the same things will apply to you, if you end up at USNA next year. Privileges that are allowed in the company you visit may not be allowed in another company just down the hall, and privileges can change from year to year (even day to day) as well.</p>
<p>Regarding how drags are matched up with the plebes...it should be random. When I dragged, all the drags started out in an auditorium and all the plebes stood around the outside by company. The drags were told what company they'd be with, and we went to its respective gaggle of plebes. The plebes just pick you out of the crowd, not assigned anyone specific.</p>
<p>USNA1985 makes great points. One note, though: most people do NOT study on Friday nights :D. </p>
<p>Listen to his advice! Come with questions!</p>
<p>Hey 2012,</p>
<p>Have you heard about whether the matchup process will be the same this year? A friend of my d's from HS has been told that she will be paired up with a 3/c or 2/c during CVW, not a Plebe.</p>
<p>A list of all the "escorts" was sent out for the CVW this week. Out of about 120, there are 6 or 7 3/C. The rest are 4/C. I can only guess why that would be the case.</p>
<p>scratch post #14. We are in fact assigned specific drags. So, I suppose that was chosen randomly, but come the day of the CVW, the escort will know which drag he/she is looking for.</p>
<p>usna1985- great job with the posts!!!!</p>
<p>MIDN2012</p>
<p>not sure what company you are in or how you study but I will say most of the plebes in my company do study some on Friday nights.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>As a plebe, what is there to do on Friday nights if you're not studying? Just curious.</p>