<p>I read earlier on this board that it is better to go to a Candidate Visitation Weekend earlier in the year, rather than later in the spring, so that Candidates can see the plebes before certain restrictions/requirements are lifted.</p>
<p>Does anyone know when this happens?</p>
<p>You might want to consider visiting Jan thru mid March to see what Plebe Year is like during the "Dark Ages". My son is going on his candidate visit to WP in Feb for that very reason - he wants to see it at it's "Absolute grayest" before he makes his final decision.</p>
<p>Just go to whatever CVW you can, and ask lots of questions. The truth is that restrictions are lifted at different times for every company. One company may still be doing daily "rack races" when another company already has gained various privileges. </p>
<p>No matter what, you really won't know what it feels like to be a Plebe until I-day. As my Plebe said after the first CVW this year, "After one weekend, you really still don't know what it's like. You could just about hold your breath and make it through one weekend. The hardest part of Plebe year is the cumulative impact. It just seems like it will never end." (Keep in mind this is from a Plebe who couldn't be dragged out of USNA for anything.)</p>
<p>What are the "dark ages"?</p>
<p>now is the Dark Ages- cold. gray. cloudy. a long time until spring break. even longer until Herndon.</p>
<p>traditionally, the dark ages is the period between the end of Christmas break and the start of spring break in March. Long for all classes.</p>
<p>Recent quote from my daughter's BGO (USNA c/o 1973):</p>
<p>I don't know if you know the origin of the phrase "Dark Ages", but it is colloquially referred to as that because it's "Dark when you get up and dark when you come home from class".</p>
<p>I think the Dark Ages also refers to the general mood. Cold, endless, difficult. This coming from my plebe--who also could not be dragged away from USNA for anything!</p>
<p>2012mom is right though. It's so hard to predict when a certain company will have restrictions or privileges. Just go if and when you can!</p>
<p>My plebe just finished hosting (dragging) a candidate this weekend. The visitor asked lots of intelligent/relevant questions and seemed to enjoy his 3 day visit on the Yard......he actually got his offer of appointment while at USNA this weekend......one cautionary note: this outstanding candidate wore" imitation uniform" apparel.....not very cool with the Mids.</p>
<p>did he look like a little cracker jack boy? haha</p>
<p>Where was he from? I know someone who was there this weekend and I just have to know if it was him.</p>
<p>Sorry.....not going there , lol</p>
<p>dragging seems to have a negative connotation, is this (draggin) a hassle for the host plebe?</p>
<p>At least at West Point, "dragging" comes from the old slang which meant escorting a girlfriend around post, so it did not have a negative connotation. I never heard it used there though in reference to escorting candidates. I know in general it was definitely a positive to escort because you usually got to "fall out" for the day. My son just did a visit out to USAFA and one of the boys on his soccer team's older brother is a doolie (freshman) there. When his dad heard we were going, he immediately asked if we'd request his brother be his escort, pretty much for that reason. We did, and he had fun having another "local" show him around.</p>
<p>Last year my Plebe was in high demand during her CVW. Any Plebe who was dragging did not have to chop, so when my daughter's Plebe had things to do, the Plebe's roommates dragged my daughter instead!</p>