<p>One thing I've heard from numerous people, including a 1st Lt (Marines) who graduated from there-- if you want to go Marines bad enough, and you show that (roll around in the mud with the Semper Fi Society, be especially hoorah,) they'll give you a Marine slot. Supposedly only 16.7 percent get Marine option, but last year, they let more people get it 'cause more wanted it.</p>
<p>USNA catalog (p.30) states that "Admissions personnel will contact qualified candidates, or official candidates may call...regarding this visit opportunity." However, during Summer Seminar my daughter recalls something being said about CVW aimed at candidates who didn't attend Summer Seminar. Though it appears that many candidates have attended SS and CVW. How are candidates arranging this visitation? Are they being invited or calling USNA themselves?</p>
<p>WSTcoastmom...Our son received a package in the mail sometime in September inviting him to CVW. He was given a choice of 3 weekends to attend and he responded immediately. It was worthwhile although very short and would be a very long haul from the west coast. He learned quite a bit in the 24 hours that was very different from SS but from a cost perspective we spent probably $1600 to fly the three of us there, stay for several days, eat and rent a car. (and we live about 8 hours away) Due to school etc. and time away from work we needed to fly and actually that was the reasonable part of the trip. I think it was worth it for our son to have the day there but we wish he could have spent more time because the expense for 24 hours is high...</p>
<p>wstcoastmom: though I've heard from a couple of people that CVW is aimed at non-summer seminar kids, I really don't know if I believe it. I just got back, and one of the first questions Captain Antonelli asked was how many kids had gone to SS. Out of the 60 or so kids that were there, probably 3/4ths raised their hands. However, I've also heard that the Academy invites very highly qualified SS candidates to CVW so they can decide for sure whether it's really what they want. But then again, what do I know about it? I just pass on what I hear. :)</p>
<p>But in reply to JM, the trip was rather expensive. Fortunately, I have relatives in the DC area, so I was able to stay with them. My total expenses probably ended up being around 320 dollars or so (260 dollar plane ticket, and then 60 dollars for food, etc.) Though it was only a 24 hour trip, I got a very eye-opening picture of what the USNA is really like. Oh, and right before they sent out the invitations I sent a nice letter to my regional director telling him how much I wanted to go. I've actually sent the USNA a total of about 7 letters so they know I'm still committed to going there. I've heard that in some cases it helps.</p>
<p>marines4me: sounds like you are very responsible and have a great attitude! Good luck. </p>
<p>It's pretty cheap to fly between California and Washington, D.C./Baltimore. Advance purchases RT can be less than $200. Finding the time to go is another story!</p>
<p>FYI
When my son was at CVW last fall, there was a candidate who had flown in from England!
Yes, its expensive, but you are making a life decision. If CVW is an experience that tells a candidate that the lifestyle is not for them, then he/she can move on to a choice that better suits him/her.<br>
Best of Luck to all.
CM</p>
<p>I guess it's not really the dollars...it's more about the opportunity. I guess the point I was making was that we wish he had had a little more time at the Academy. By the time they do the intros and go over the power point presentation a hour or so of classes has been missed. My son really wanted to see more classes.(only went to two) So many leave on Friday's (upperclassman) and he didn't eat dinner in the mess hall it's hard to get the total feel although we are amazed how much he did get out of it! For us it was about 300 to fly (all three of us), close to 300 to rent a car (crazy rates in the area) and about 130 a night at the hotel with discounted rates. We were there 4 nights as we needed a Sat stayover. With food etc. it runs up and it was really worth it, I just can't imagine the time factor from the west coast. (Plus this was the last of our college trips and we've taken quite a few...I think we all decided we'd had enough!) :-)</p>