<p>I just received an invitation from the admissions office to spend a weekend at Annapolis. My completed admissions packet including BGO, CFA and DODMERB was submitted about two weeks ago. The only thing still to be completed are my nomination apps and I am waiting on some teacher and mentor references before I can submit those. I was wondering what to read into this. They make it clear in the letter it is an experience designed for candidates to learn more about the daily life of a mid and is no guarantee that an offer of appointment is forthcoming, however is it something that everyone receives, or should I be encouraged by the invite? If anyone can comment I would appreciate the input.</p>
<p>Did you attend Summer Seminar?<br>
Last year, those who attended the Seminar were late in receiving CVW invites, or had to request an invite.
Those who did not attend Seminar received invites to CVW in the Fall.</p>
<p>No, I did not attend NASS. Does every candidate who submits a complete app receive an visit invite?</p>
<p>CVW is an opportunity to see the Brigade as it really is, warts and all, during the Academic Year. I would highly recommend that anyone receiving an invitation to a CVW accept and attend the weekend. Candidates might also contact their B&G Officer and ask Him/Her if they could contact Admissions to request a CVW for you. Not all Summer Seminar anttendees receive automatic invites for CVW and neither do all candidates with a LOA. Show some initiative and ask to attend. You will not regret the experience.</p>
<p>Yeah, definitely attend CVW if you have the opportunity. From what I've heard, SS is complete crap in terms of a realistic Naval Academy experience. I didn't do NASS but I did do a CVW and thought it was awesome. It gives you a very small picture of what life is like, but it's really helpful in making your decision. It absolutely solidified my decision, and now I'm here.</p>
<p>I got one of these too, I'm almost dead set on USNA after SS and a previous visit. Still think its worth the money to fly back out there from the midwest?</p>
<p>Yes. Everyone I know here who went to NASS calls it a joke or, more specifically, "summer scaminar." I don't think you should use it to base your decision.</p>
<p>Besides, if you end up coming here, it will be worth much more than the price of a few plane tickets.</p>
<p>Thanks, that's interesting to hear, I'll definitely look into it if I can. Summer scamitar ;). I thought it was funny when our first meal was a breakfast of steak and eggs but recently saw USNA on a college ranking list of "Colleges with the Worst Food" in a Princeton Review. Is the food actually pretty bad?</p>
<p>My son has no complaints about the food. He loved SS. Knew it couldn't have been a true look at Academy life since the brigade is gone. Decided not to go to CVW. Now that he is a plebe, he wants a drag (candidate visiting for the weekend) and will probably apply to be a SS detailer. He did say that CVW is a good opportunity if you can get it.</p>
<p>So how long is CVW, and what exactly do you do with the brigade?</p>
<p>steak and eggs is not uncommon. Granted, it's not the best quality seeing as 4,400 mids must be provided with the same thing at each meal. Food during Plebe Summer was better than it is during the Ac Year since there were only 1,200 people to feed. I imagine that's the case for NASS too.</p>
<p>CVW starts on a Thursday evening (I think), goes through Friday and ends Saturday morning/noon. (Correct me if I'm wrong - It may start on Weds. evening...)</p>
<p>You "drag" with a plebe. Meaning you follow him to classes, formations, study hour, meals, etc. Also, you have a couple of briefs one morning about admissions and stuff. You can get up and do the workouts with them if you want. I did. I suggest you do...realize that you'll be doing it every week if you decide to attend USNA.</p>
<p>The food is bad, the Class of 2012 is not sick of it yet.</p>
<p>lol CurrentMid...you probably are right. I ask him each time he calls "what's for dinner?" It's kind of a joke, because I know he has to know the menus. Seems to be a lot of chicken. Only so many ways to cook the same stuff over and over for four years.</p>
<p>I'm curious for more detail on why Summer Seminar is referred to as Summer Scaminar and called a joke. My older son, who ultimately decided that the Naval Academy was not for him, attended Summer Seminar two years ago. He enjoyed the classes and other aspects of the week, but the physical endurance required to survive his SEAL squad leader (I think it was his sqad), was a big factor in his decision to not go to the Academy. So, in that sense, I think Summer Seminar served its purpose. My younger son is now applying to the Academy and unfortunately just missed the deadline to attend Summer Seminar. He would very much like to receive an invitation to CVW and I too, as his parent, would like for him to experience life there even if only for a weekend. Please comment on Summer seminar more please and anyone else recommend contacting his BGO to request an invite to CVW?</p>
<p>Blacklab: </p>
<p>Cadre during Summer Seminar are rising "Youngsters" who can possibly have a better relationship with High School Students considering the Academy. In your prior postings you were a candidate for admission and now you had a son who was turned off by a SEAL cadre squad leader during Summer Seminar. Please reconcile my confusion.</p>
<p>My daughter, a current Plebe, attended both NASS and CVW. While some may consider NASS a "joke," it may be better to think of it as a recruiting tool. The format of each day (morning workout, morning seminars, lunch, afternoon seminars, sports period, evening briefings, etc.) bears some slight relation to the structure of a Mid's day, but the stresses of Plebe life just aren't there. Don't get me wrong, my daughter had a great time at NASS. She is planning to apply for a slot as NASS cadre for 2009. NASS is a valuable way for candidates to hear about the various academic departments (via the seminars), and to visit campus and get to know current Mids. It's just not as demanding as the real thing. CVW, on the other hand, IS the real thing from Thursday evening to Saturday around 1100. Even then, be aware that your experience can be very different, depending on the company you visit.</p>
<p>I'm sorry for the confusion AF6872! My son, who is applying posted all earlier comments. He showed me some of these comments about summer seminar and I am the one who wanted to ask the questions about it, not him, so I wrote. I didn't realize that it would cause confusion to use his login! Thanks for the reply..</p>
<p>Thanks for the great reply 2012mom! I think that Summer Seminar did a good job when my older son was there in the sense that it showed him the Academy was not for him. I hope that my younger son who is applying gets a CVW invite because I think it's so important for prospective plebes to know what they're getting into!</p>
<p>Blacklab:</p>
<p>Vert stupid of me not to take into account that explanation. I apologise for my inconsiderate post.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I just received an invitation from the admissions office to spend a weekend at Annapolis. My completed admissions packet including BGO, CFA and DODMERB was submitted about two weeks ago. The only thing still to be completed are my nomination apps and I am waiting on some teacher and mentor references before I can submit those. I was wondering what to read into this. They make it clear in the letter it is an experience designed for candidates to learn more about the daily life of a mid and is no guarantee that an offer of appointment is forthcoming, however is it something that everyone receives, or should I be encouraged by the invite? If anyone can comment I would appreciate the input.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Do not read more into this than what the USNA makes clear- that is, the CVW is designed to give competetive candidates and opportunity to see the USNA - guts and glory- from the inside- so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to deciding where you want to go.
The candidates that get selected for CVW are "generally" those that are highly competetive for other programs- meaning, you fall on the right side of the bell curve for admission, and no doubt will have other good offers to consider- so USNA wants to give you an opportunity to see what is offered at USNA, and what will be expected of you once here.</p>
<p>If you are offered a CVW, jump on it any way you can. Just remember 2 things- 1. it is not a guarentee of admission, one way or the other- it is for "informational purposes only"- your information! and 2. While you are evaluating USNA, USNA will be evaluating you! Your Mid will be required to write up an evaluation following your visit- so keep that in mind and put 2 best feet forward during your visit.</p>
<p>For those not offered a CVW- that is not a dead end signal either. CVW are often offered to districts/states/groups that are underrepresented at the academy- thus, someone from south dakota might be offered a visit while someone right outside the gates may not be. Having said that, if you feel it is essential to you in order to make that decision, should an offer of an appointment be made, then contact your BGO- again, no guarentees, but your BGO can make an inquiry on your behalf.</p>
<p>If a CVW is still not offered, then make it your mission to visit the academy at least once- you owe that to yourself. Again, this is for your edification so you can make an informed choice. USNA is not for everyone, and better to find out now than later.</p>
<p>
[quote]
From what I've heard, SS is complete crap in terms of a realistic Naval Academy experience.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Just a word of caution to the new candidates: whatever you do, do not go into NASS with the impression it is "complete crap", a "joke," or anything even closely related to that. It is an experience- it is not the entire experience, but it is a taste of what is in store. Will it fully represent Plebe summer and plebe year? NO! I don't think there is any way one can fully appreciate what plebe summer is like until you are knee deep in it- but NASS can give you a small glimpse into what following orders is like, what will be physically demanded of you, what having your life controlled by someone else is like- being told what to do, how to do it and when to do it- and being told to do it all again, and again, and again!</p>
<p>So what to take to NASS - and CVW as well- is a good attitude, an inquiring mind, and eyes wide open! Do you best at both- you will be evalulated- at NASS, at CVW- and those evaluations will be seen by the admissions board! So if you get to go, make the most of that opportunity and do a good job! And while you are there, do a "gut check"- is this something that you want to do for the next 4 years- and another 5 after that? Because this is "no ordinary college experience"- so gather up as much gouge as possible so you can make the right choice in the end!</p>
<p>
[quote]
He enjoyed the classes and other aspects of the week, but the physical endurance required to survive his SEAL squad leader (I think it was his sqad), was a big factor in his decision to not go to the Academy. So, in that sense, I think Summer Seminar served its purpose.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In this case, it would appear it did what it was intended to do. And I am glad to see that your son was able to realize this ahead of time.
As for the SEAL cadre- as far as I know, the 2C and 3C run summer seminar- and the 1C's that are there have yet to pick their service community- thus, while your particular cadre may desire to go "seals," there was no way your son/daughter had a "seal cadre" directing them during NASS- it may have felt that way for some, but the selection for SEALS comes well after reform, which comes way after NASS. Anyway, if the cadre still had his eyebrows on, you can bet he has not yet been selected for the SEAL community!</p>