Question Regarding Appointments & DoDMERB

I know the USNA website lists March 1st as the deadline for all application materials to be completed; however, I am concerned that I will not be medically qualified by that date. The rest of my application is complete, would it still be possible for me to recieve an appointment?

I am not positive, but I would say that USNA would not give an appointment without someone being medically qualified. Are you trying to fix a remedial?

newbie

someone with more experience may answer this. I am a newbie, but it is my understanding, that if you end up with a DQ and you are a competitive candidate, they will let you go through the waiver process. I am sure someone else will answer this.

they will let you pursue a waiver, BUT not extend an appointment without a completed waiver

Thanks jumprope

Yes, and that is what I meant. If you are competitive, they will SEEK a waiver, and then the waiver has to be granted. I did not mean to imply that they would grant the waiver automatically.

If you have a medical DQ, they will seek a waiver for competitive candidates.
Is there time to work through a medical waiver at this stage in the game? I have no idea.

Thanks for your responses!

I have been told by a number of people that I have a competitive application. However, I do know that I am going to have to get one wavier. I just recently took my initial exams, and I am now becoming very anxious about if I will have enough time to complete the process and still have the opportunity to recieve an appointment.

My understanding is that you must be medically qualified by I-Day. You do not need to be medically cleared by Jan. 31. I've had a candidate clear as late as late May/early June.

How competitive are you if admissions asks for a waiver for you? It doesn't necessarily mean you're at or near the top of your congressional slate, does it?

No.

hmx512 said:

How competitive are you if admissions asks for a waiver for you? It doesn't necessarily mean you're at or near the top of your congressional slate, does it?

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They only go through the effort of a waiver process for those candidates whom they feel are competitive and more than likely will be offered appointments. A very positive indicator but not a guarantee though.

Mongo said:

They only go through the effort of a waiver process for those candidates whom they feel are competitive and more than likely will be offered appointments. A very positive indicator but not a guarantee though.

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Relative to how I understand the question, I think this needs more clarification.

It only goes w/o saying, USNA would not invest resources in pursuing a waiver IF it has been determined the candidate is for various other reason(s) been deemed non-competitive. And unquestionably, when USNA does pursue a waiver, that is a positive indicator, i.e. evidence that the candidate remains in contention for an appointment.

On those we are in total agreement. However, the implication that those waivers are pursued for some potentially 3Qed candidates and not others, depending upon their WP score w/in that group of 3Qed is not accurate.

In other words, would USNA NOT pursue a waiver for a lower scoring but clearly qualified candidate, while pursuing for one who might have a higher score? Not.

And the reason for my point is because I believe that seems to be what is being asked, seeking some indication of what is or is not forthcoming re: appointment.

Remember ...
Here was HMX's specific question:

"How competitive are you if admissions asks for a waiver for you? It doesn't necessarily mean you're at or near the top of your congressional slate, does it?"

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In other words ...no. It should not be interpreted that the candidate is "at or near the top of your congressional slate." You may be, but assuming such on the basis of this would be in error, I believe.

Whistle Pig said:

In other words ...no. It should not be interpreted that the candidate is "at or near the top of your congressional slate." You may be, but assuming such on the basis of this would be in error, I believe.

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Perhaps in the vein of building false hope there might be a chance that you are correct.

USNA specifically states in the catalog:

If your admissions record is competitive, and if the disqualifying conditionis one for which a waiver might be possible, we will ask DoDMERB to prepare your file for waiver consideration.

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It all boils down to the definition of 'competitive'. Does it mean scholastically qualified? Potential for scholastic qualification? Or potential for appointability? My observations is that it is loosely interpreted by different regional directors based on the DoDMERB/USNA medical staff load at the time. In August perhaps in one region the front running hard charger may get a waiver started based simply on the strength of his package before it even goes before the board. In another region, they might wait. This time of the year, they will be analyzing MOC slates before they determine. The past couple of years, at this time of the year, I have actually seen candidates who waited until the last minute to submit their application, found to be scholastically qualified, and were not even scheduled for the initial exam because they were not deemed competitive in their district. Who, the following year resubmitted, early, and were found to be medically disqualified. This is the best reason I know to get ones package submitted early. Also a reason to apply for ROTC in order to get a separate medical route commenced.

At this time of the year, when most parts of the package tend to come together, to be given a green light on a waiver request, in my opinion, indicates a good indication of appointability. Ask yourself, if DoDMERB calls and states that they are becoming overloaded or if their delayed output indicates heavy loading, where else can the Academy help alleviate their load?

Well, let me say it more simply. Can one be "more competitive" and others "less competitive." In terms of WP ranking, yes. But would those variations in WP #s determine if USNA would seek a waiver or not? No way.

USNA makes no discernment or categories of "more" or "less" competitive. One is either competitive ...on not. Not means no chance of appointment.

Whistle Pig said:

Well, let me say it more simply. Can one be "more competitive" and others "less competitive." In terms of WP ranking, yes. But would those variations in WP #s determine if USNA would seek a waiver or not? No way.

USNA makes no discernment or categories of "more" or "less" competitive. One is either competitive ...on not. Not means no chance of appointment.

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I have seen numerous examples where Admission's definition of competitive is not competitive as a whole but competitive within the individual group in which he is competing. So, in the least competitive MOC district in the US, where the lone qualifed candidate is at the very bottom of the scholastically qualified list, perhaps the qualification parameters even manipulated slightly to make him qualified, his waiver process will commence, whereas for a more qualified candidate on the list who is out of the running for a principal nomination and not national pool competitive, a waiver process will not be commenced. The competitiveness of other candidates in the pool from whch he is being considered will definitely be considered. Numerous personal examples. Pure and simple. I am quite sure the interpreted definition of 'competitive' in this particular case is 'appointability', for lack of a better word.