Waiver's Effects on Admission

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zrh177

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Apr 11, 2015
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Hello!

I am currently an AFROTC freshman reapplying to USAFA. This past winter, I received a stress fracture in my leg that has since healed 100%. However, under DoDMERB guidelines, any stress fracture (single or recurrent) is disqualifying. AFROTC gave me a waiver overnight (literally). However, the Academy has not been so quick. My question is: how will being medically disqualified affect my chances at appointment? I understand that the Academy can and does give medically conditional appointments, but will the supposed uncertainties in my health cause the folks at admissions to think twice? In short, I am wondering if I am in a unofficial state of 'limbo.'

Some additional background information: I was a qualified candidate last year (and this year as well); I received a waiver from AFROTC and USAFA for a different issue when I applied last year but was still disqualified for several months (perhaps a sign of some promise?); and I have three nominations this year.

Thanks in advance for any and all insights/ assistance!
 
zrh177 -- as you know, being categorized as DQ means you've got an additional hurdle to overcome. As you should know from last year, USAFA doesn't put forward every DQ for a medical waiver. They only put forward those they think they want to offer an appointment. Unfortunate you weren't selected last year. Assuming all medical waivers came through, you must have been close to being offered an appointment.

Are you on a AFROTC national scholarship?

Do you know if USAFA has put you forward for the medical waiver this year? If not, then your concerns may be valid. You might want to call your Admissions POC and respectfully ask if they are going to put you forward and where you stand.

If they have put you forward for the waiver, then just sit tight. If the suspense is killing you, you might consider calling your USAFA admissions POC and respectfuly asking about your waiver request and your status.
 
@Falcon A thank you very much for your response.

Yes, I am on AFROTC national scholarship (well, it is a three-year, so I have not contracted yet).

As for a waiver, things are unclear. Upon learning that I was disqualified, I immediately emailed my counselor. From his response, I gained the impression that I would indeed be processed for one. However, I have not received a message in my portal confirming this like I did last year. Would I be wrong in thinking that I since a waiver was requested last year, chances are the same would happen this time?

In typically compulsive fashion, I check the DoDMERB portal everyday...

Again, thanks!
 
zrh -- I would not assume that -- each year the competition is a bit different. You should confirm with your admissions POC if they have put you forward for a waiver or if they are using the waiver you received last year (if it is for the same condition.) I would call and have a respectful conversation. Getting late in the process. Best wishes.
 
It seems Dodmerb is down today (?) Anyone else checking for status update and not being able to login?
Thanks.
 
FYI-- Just had a conversation with my counselor. Apparently, this year, in an effort to save money, only folks who have appointments are processed for waivers. In essence, as long as you're anything short of an appointee, the Academy won't be worrying about your medical status. This differs from last year when even qualified candidates were processed.

On a side note, the phone call in general was rather reassuring. I don't want to read into anything too much, but I certainly feel cautiously optimistic now!

Thanks @Falcon A for your help.
 
You can't be offered an Appointment if you are not cleared medically

You might get a conditional appointment or LOA with the condition being the waiver is granted

I think what you heard was 'only for those with a strong chance of receiving an appointment will the SA pursue a waiver'
 
@Cerberi That's a good point. What I should've said was that only folks with medically conditional appointments will be processed for a waiver. If I understood my counselor correctly, candidates are not being processed this year.
 
My DD received a waiver and she is not eligible for USAFA (one of her SAT/ACT scores ended up being to low). So they are still putting in for waivers even if not academically eligible, direct entry to Academy but possibly direct into Prep.
 
zrh -- glad you had a good conversation with your admissions POC. At least you now know where you stand. USAFA and the other SAs aren't putting forward candidates for medical waivers unless they plan to offer an appointment. Found that out with my DS last year. USAFA put him forward but waiver was denied. USMA never put him forward but kept him "in the pool" until late April/early May. Army ROTC did consider him for a waiver and granted him the waiver. All-in-all and interesting and gut-wrenching process that eventually worked out well for him. Best wishes to you.

Mom_CHgn -- excellent news, Your DD must have something in her story/her record that USAFA likes. Best wishes for getting the waiver and for getting USAFA Prep. If offered, say "Yes".
 
DD received her waiver 3 days after they put it in for the waiver process. Now it's just wait like everyone else.lol
 
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