<p>My son has been offered an appointment to USMMA. We are all very happy of course, but he has never been to Kings Point, and he would like to visit before making a final decision. Can anyone offer any advice on an overnight visit? I know the website has a number to call to schedule visits, but we would like some information before he calls. When is the best time to visit? Is there a possibility of the academy paying for the visit (we are in Washington State)? What should he bring? How are visitors received by the mids.? Is it possible to meet one or more coaches while he is there? Any information and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I personally did an overnight visit over a weekend (friday to saturday). The visit was through the football team and we were bunked up with a plebe from the team. During the day on Friday my family and I and a bunch of of other recruits had a full tour of the campus. We ate lunch and dinner there and then breakfast the next morning. The other midshipman besides the friends of the plebe I was staying with didn't really pay any attention to me. It was a good learning experience because I got to see what they had to deal with but it was only for a little while. The only thing I regret is that I did not stay during the week to see how an actual day was and visit some classes. Payment wise I think that's up to you. I only live a half hour away so my parents and I just drove and then the overnight and the food was free but besides that I think it's up to you to get there.</p>
<p>The best time to visit really depends on your schedule and if he is being recruited for any sports. If he is being recruited for a winter sport then set up the visit with the coach. If he is not being actively recruited then he would still have the ability to meet with any/all of the coaches if they are in the office. I would recommend a weekday visit so you can get a true feeling of how things work there. Things are a bit different on the weekends. </p>
<p>The Academy will not provide any funds to cover travel. What should they bring: simply an overnight bag. There is no need for any special things, just take what you would need for a day or two away from home. Potential midshipmen are treated as visitors, they will get to know the person they stay with, their roomate and maybe a few other midshipmen; however, don't expect everyone to come running to you asking questions. People will be nice to them, so no worries there.</p>
<p>An overnight visit is a MUST in my book, unless it is simply financially impossible.</p>
<p>WA2013, an overnight visit is a great idea because your son will gain a better idea of what his challenges will be. Since he will be assigned a plebe and stay in the plebe's room, visiting sooner would give him a better idea rather than later after "Recognition" when plebe year is less hectic and also to avoid blackout dates. A weekday visit gives a good feel for the daily schedule. He should plan to pay his own transportation, but there is no charge for lodging and meals. Admissions can tell him what to bring, but see the daily schedule for ideas on his activities United</a> States Merchant Marine Academy. The coaches are usually happy to meet prospective "walk-ons," but schedule the meeting(s) ahead of time. The plebe escorts as well as upperclass midshipmen are eager to interact with midshipman candidates and are very open about anything and everything. Kings Point is not for everyone, so it's better to find out ahead of time if this is the case. If your son decides to accept his apppointment, the overnight visit will help him succeed at USMMA because he will have more realistic expectations and be less surprised and upset by the demands he will face.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your advice.</p>
<p>I went during the week. It was through the Volleyball coach and Softball coach. I split my time between a girl on the volleyball team who was in the 1st class and some plebes. The plebes were happy to walk around the campus because they could walk normally and talk. I got a good feel for the place the midshipman made me feel comfortable and I still keep in touch about my app. The coaches went out of thier way. Definetly visit. I would have never gone w/o the visit.</p>
<p>WA2013 - I sent you a pm</p>
<p>WA2013, we also live in the far away corner of the these United States. Our favorite mid had never been to NY until he got off the plane on July 6, 2006, the day before INDOC. When we visited that first Parents' Weekend he told us he had made the right decision. It was less than comfortable to put him on a plane by himself but I think that was another lesson in self confidence(for him and his parents). He hasn't always liked the idea of being at KP but the difference in him and his high school pals who went to State U. grows more apparent ever time he comes home. He is now chomping at the bit to graduate and get licensed. It is the quiet confidence that speaks so loudly as he has moved from boyhood into being a man. So here's the point, it doesn't matter whether he visits KP or not (although it's probably not a bad idea), it's whether you, as a parent, are able to let him go from boyhood to manhood. I'm not saying it's easy, I just think its part of the equation of whether KP will be right for your son. Best wishes to your son and you.</p>
<p>We are also in Washington State... My daughter received her nomination, we are currently looking at going in th end of march. You do have to speak to the admissions folks and get approval and actually schedule appt. </p>
<p>I did some price checking and if you to expedia.com you will usually find the cheapest airlines, but dont forget to check out Alaska and Southwest. I think I found roundtrip tickets for 450.00 or so for two of us.. yeah it is kinda expensive for a 4 day trip.. but its one of those priceless events.</p>
<p>Last summer my daughter did the CGA AIM program, that was a bit pricier plus having to cover a hotel for him during the week she was at AIM....</p>
<p>and actually a mom I converse with from the serviceacademyforums.com just got back from a day visit with the son, they liked it alot.</p>
<p>I know SW Airlines is having some great sales too. Sometimes you can get a really good hotel rate from The Mansion at Glen Cove. Check there first. I've stayed all over, and the Days Inn Hicksville is cheap and the rooms are clean and renovated. If you are military you could stay at the Army or Navy Lodge on Staten Island, but it's a hassle to get to KP from there, especially during the week.</p>
<p>When visiting Kings Point, try to make a point of visiting Shipboard Training. This is the department that manages the sea year. They will will give a great presentation of how the sea program is run and what to expect.</p>
<p>WA2013:</p>
<p>I sent you a more detailed PM but as I read the comments another relevant thought comes to mind.</p>
<p>I always recommend a visit by a prospective candidate - yes it is a litle pricey if you live on the other side of the country but your son will feel much better about his decision with real time information self-gathered. Go during the week so you can be there and see a normal day. If you will travel with your son then yes you will need to arrange accomodations and pay for them for yourself. For your Child food and “lodging” such as it is will be provided. Between now and whenever/wherever your son decides to go and starts this coming summer/fall he will no doubt feel better about his decision if he did a visit and made it on his own.</p>
<p>For my son his overnight visit in 2008 was what made up his mind to go, and so far from what I can tell he hasn’t regretted it though he clearly hasn’t loved every minute of things during his first 16 months, he will always say it’s the place for him and he is glad he made the decision to attend.</p>
<p>My son’s visit was the April of his Jr year. We live close by so I went for the info session. There were a few candidates there that had already been accepted and they were visiting in order to make their final decision. These two did not have parents with them. If finances are a problem that might be the way to go</p>
<p>An overnight visit not only helps make a decision, but it also provides enough insight in how things work at KP that many midshipmen think it helps them to persevere plebe year and, building on those survival skills, to utimately graduate. Although impressions vary from midshipamn to midshipman, overall an overnight visit seems like a very valuable experience.</p>