Confused!

Mark Schrader

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Mar 16, 2015
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Not sure if this is the right place, please forgive if it isn't.

My son received a nomination as the top choice from his congressman. He submitted all the paperwork and took the PT test. All was submitted by Feb. 28th, the cutoff date. Yet he never got a letter to take his DoDMERB. Needless to say, we got a rejection letter from WP. But I am left wondering how as he met all requirements. I know a nomination is not a guarantee, I went through the process, my brother and his son both graduated from the Point. My concern is that someone dropped the ball and never sent a letter to set up the medical board.

We talked with the USMA contact and were under the impression that after his packet was submitted, he would get a date to go to the DoDMERB facility (5 miles down the road). Never happened.

Can anyone advise on this? Is it too late if that was the thing that was holding him back?

- M Schrader
 
Not sure if this is the right place, please forgive if it isn't.

My son received a nomination as the top choice from his congressman. He submitted all the paperwork and took the PT test. All was submitted by Feb. 28th, the cutoff date. Yet he never got a letter to take his DoDMERB. Needless to say, we got a rejection letter from WP. But I am left wondering how as he met all requirements. I know a nomination is not a guarantee, I went through the process, my brother and his son both graduated from the Point. My concern is that someone dropped the ball and never sent a letter to set up the medical board.

We talked with the USMA contact and were under the impression that after his packet was submitted, he would get a date to go to the DoDMERB facility (5 miles down the road). Never happened.

Can anyone advise on this? Is it too late if that was the thing that was holding him back?

- M Schrader
Sorry for your son. That is heartbreaking. I was under the impression that you needed to complete DoDMERB prior to Feb. 28th, not just submit the paperwork. Maybe I am reading your message wrong. The issue could be with the final deadline. Once my son finished his on line application he was sent his letter to call to make appointments, but that was months ago.
 
I am sorry this happened to your son. Unfortunately, the time to ask "where is the DODMERB link" was a while ago. If your son chooses to reapply, do everything early--if you don't hear from DODMERB to set up appointments, you need to contact your admissions rep and let them know. This should be happening in the fall.
 
Somewhere i read they have until April. My son had his medical on march 4. It is being reiewed now by DodMERB. Our fingers are crossed.

Has his medical section at the bottom of the application changed? It will change and they will mail forms and instructions
 
DoDMERB is scheduled for competitive candidates so it could be that his file was not competitive.
Another reason - West Point is allotted a certain number of DoDMERB exams so it could be that they have reached their allotment, which is one of the reasons to finish your file early.
The only way to really find out what happened is for him to contact his RC. He can also advise your son what to do for next year to make him more competitive, if he choses to reapply.
 
I’m sorry you son was not selected “this time”. I would encourage him to try again next year. Let him have his pity party but have an end date, set new goals and follow them. I would encourage YOUR SON to contact his RC and review his file to explorer areas of weakness and increase his competitiveness as Buff81 suggested. Also, ask about the potential opportunity for an AOG scholarship or attend a Prep School as a free agent.


Only about a third of the Class is direct admits from high school. In my opinion, they are at a disadvantage. They are young, may not have matured enough to handle time management and academic stresses at the WP. (Carrying an academic load of 21 units, math and physics being the great divider) It seems the graduates that were a bit older and prepared by attend a college, prep school have a higher success rate.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
I concur that taking an extra year isn't a disadvantage, but rather an advantage. I was one of the young ones. I didn't turn 21 until 2d semester of my firstie year, so I was extra young. Looking back on it, although I was mature for my age, I was at a disadvantage in terms of maturity and experience.
 
In my opinion, they are at a disadvantage. They are young, may not have matured enough to handle time management and academic stresses at the WP. (Carrying an academic load of 21 units, math and physics being the great divider) It seems the graduates that were a bit older and prepared by attend a college, prep school have a higher success rate.

TugBoat is spot on with this! Sometimes we just can't see the blessings in disguise for all the disappointment that surrounds us at the moment.
DS was medically DQ'd just a few weeks before I-Day last year with a late season fluke sports injury. It was crushing for a few days to be sure but seven months later at the end of the year and a semester at university the world looks a whole lot different.
He was only 17 on I-Day, heck he'll only be 18 come this time around and this past year he has grown in every way a young person can as BillyB noted in terms of what he has experienced away, his maturity, the demands of a challenging academic schedule, etc. We thought he had a lot of that then but the difference now is night and day and what he'll bring to the party will make him, and your son, that much the better man and the better cadet.
Like you, we couldn't see that at the time but like so many others here that have gone through the same experience it has been illuminating to the degree that it has indeed been a blessing.

I wish you well.
 
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