<p>Hi all. I'd like to ask your advice about the overnight visit. More than anything, the visit is going to decide weather or not I attend the Academy, but I don't want to fly up to USMA by myself. You see, neither one of my parents have ever seen WP in first person, so I'd like to bring them with me. Is there anything they can do for the two days that I'll be doing the overnight stay? Besides the organized, one shot tours that is. Maybe some presentations, or other programs? I just want them to get acquainted with the Academy at the same time as I am.</p>
<p>If you go for an overnight visit your parents will be taken to briefings and shown around campus by a cadet. There's the West Point museum and tours are available during the week, and New York City is only an hour's drive away.</p>
<p>I was there with my D last spring. It was great. She spent time with the cadets, I toured the campus. That evening I had a nice dinner in the local area. Next day there was a Lacross game, I went to that. D sat with the cadets during that game, mixed in the middle of them. After the game I did a driving tour of the area. Cheaper airfare staying over a Saturday night - so went to the cadet chapel for Easter Sunday services (we were there during Spring Break). It was a great trip. The time driving around the area was good for me to think through the whole potential of my D going to WP. There is an island one can go to with some historical significance (I didn't get there, but wish I had been able to go). Have your folks google the town (I don't recal the name) and there are lots of "hits" for some great things to do in the area. Plus, it is close to NYC and the could go down to a show or something like that too. The tour of WP was very nice - spending time at the game watching the kids and seeing the visiting parents was great. Seeing my D interact directly with the cadets was AWESOME and a memory I won't forget. Don't know where she'll end up next year, (has appointment to both AFA or WP), but that trip alone gave me confidence that either choice is a good one for her. I strongly encourage them to go, if possible.</p>
<p>The town you were thinking of is called Highland Falls, which is supposed to be pretty nice.</p>
<p>Highland Falls is cool, it's just really, really small. It basiclly exists because of the acadmey. I've only been there once, and that was my experience. Maybe there is more to it that I haven' t seen...you can certianly get a good meal at one of the locally owned restaurants.</p>
<p>I've been to West Point a couple times, but only to go to the museum or sporting events. Is it possible to take a more candidate-oriented tour of the academy?</p>
<p>Yes. If you have being accepted for the class of 2011, you can go for an overnight visit and stay with cadet at West Point. If you have not been accepted, or are not a senior, you can attend an admissions briefing and then shadow a cadet for the morning. That's what I did last spring break. I shadowed a plebe for two classes and then lunch. It gave me a really good idea of the academic setting (small classes etc) as well as coursework. I attended an IT and calculus class. The lunch was really good, by the way. Chef's Pizza. Yum.</p>
<p>tall ruski,
Last March I took my son for a day visit (not an overnight). The parents tour I got while my son was with a plebe was only a couple of hours long but it was interesting. It was a walking tour with a Firstie as a guide. He was a kick...really funny. Since it was a walking tour we didn't have time to see a lot of things. In Highland Falls there is a place that does bus tours, if you take one of these you get to see much more of West Point. </p>
<p>Also, your parents could easily spend a whole day in the West Point Museum if they like that kind of thing. My son and I only had a few hours to look around and it wasn't long enough. </p>
<p>If they like the show Orange County Choppers (or just like motorcycles) they could go visit the OCC showroom in Montgomery. Maybe even see them taping the show.</p>
<p>Parents could spend part of the day at West Point -make sure to include the West Point cemetery on the visit. Red Blaik's grave (coached Army football to several nat'l championships) has a tombstone in the shape of a football. Mickey Marcus - WP grad who helped found the Israeli Army - is also buried there. After WP, a trip to Hyde Park - FDR's home - would be worthwhile - <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hofr/%5B/url%5D">http://www.nps.gov/hofr/</a>.</p>
<p>By the way - my son was all set to go to UCLA until he did his overnight at West Point. I'm sure he's still thinking about UCLA and the beaches and the bikinis while he's walking across between classes in 10 degree weather.</p>
<p>This info's great - thanks very much for all your help.</p>