How much longer to hear from USNA regarding a waiver?

S

ski18

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Messages
19
I was disqualified back in early August due to "history of knee dislocation," and my status under USNA has been "Pending Waiver Submission/Review." I know all the SAs have their own timeframes, but on 11/4 USAFA told me they would request a waiver for me and on 12/10 I was granted the waiver. Is there any particular reason why it has been almost 6 months since I've heard anything regarding my medical status from USNA? I have 2 nominations, and I'm sure I'm academically and physically qualified (since I wasn't told to retake the CFA).

Is there possibly anyone I can contact to see where I am in the waiver process?
 
Generally, USNA doesn't look at waivers until it decides to offer someone an appointment. They may not have made this decision with respect to your record.
 
I am also interested in this.

When the academy is deciding on whether or not to hand out an offer of appointment to an applicant that is medically disqualified but eligible for a waiver, will the academy take that into account or will the academy review the submitted application, the supporting documents, the nomination(s), and the interview, offer an appointment, and THEN review the medical status?
 
Pickle said:
I am also interested in this.

When the academy is deciding on whether or not to hand out an offer of appointment to an applicant that is medically disqualified but eligible for a waiver, will the academy take that into account or will the academy review the submitted application, the supporting documents, the nomination(s), and the interview, offer an appointment, and THEN review the medical status?
Click to expand...

Well, they certainly will not offer the appointment prior to reviewing the medical status and issuing a waiver.
 
Letters of Assurance are independent from the medical determination. The reason is that an LOA only "guarantees" an appointment if you are medically qualified (and pass CFA and have nom).

I've had a few LOA recipients over the years who ultimately received turndowns due to a medical DQ.
 
Be proactive. If you have a medical DQ,you can have your own doctor re-examine you and send in a letter and supporting documentation to DODMerb to try and get the DQ removed outright thereby eliminating the need for a waiver. My DD did exactly that and it worked. She initially was medically DQ'd but instead of waiting on the Naval review board to issue her a waiver, she worked to remove the DQ outright through DODmerb. Once they received the new exam from her personal doctor they removed the DQ and she became qualified.
 
usna1985 said:
Generally, USNA doesn't look at waivers until it decides to offer someone an appointment. They may not have made this decision with respect to your record.
Click to expand...

In regards to this comment, shortly after receiving a nomination, my son received a letter stating that he was basically "too big" for USNA. He needed to fill out a form that stated his BMI was less than 25. He is 5" 10" and weighs 200lbs. On paper he appeared to be "too fat/big." His BMI is 12. Would they only have sent a form asking him to submit his BMI if they were considering him for an appointment or is this just routine?
 
Nollie said:
In regards to this comment, shortly after receiving a nomination, my son received a letter stating that he was basically "too big" for USNA. He needed to fill out a form that stated his BMI was less than 25. He is 5" 10" and weighs 200lbs. On paper he appeared to be "too fat/big." His BMI is 12. Would they only have sent a form asking him to submit his BMI if they were considering him for an appointment or is this just routine?
Click to expand...

Hard to say. And quit trying to read the tea leaves. You'll just drive yourselves crazy and ultimately we'll never know why they sent the request. You'll know soon enough, although I do also understand how nerve wracking it is. Trying to read the tea leaves just makes it more so in my opinion.
 
River3434 said:
Be proactive. If you have a medical DQ,you can have your own doctor re-examine you and send in a letter and supporting documentation to DODMerb to try and get the DQ removed outright thereby eliminating the need for a waiver. My DD did exactly that and it worked. She initially was medically DQ'd but instead of waiting on the Naval review board to issue her a waiver, she worked to remove the DQ outright through DODmerb. Once they received the new exam from her personal doctor they removed the DQ and she became qualified.
Click to expand...

Curious River3434 -- what was your DD DQed for? My DS was DQed for shoulder surgery that was 2 years ago and he has healed completely and has been participating in all sports and physical activities.
 
Nollie said:
In regards to this comment, shortly after receiving a nomination, my son received a letter stating that he was basically "too big" for USNA. He needed to fill out a form that stated his BMI was less than 25. He is 5" 10" and weighs 200lbs. On paper he appeared to be "too fat/big." His BMI is 12. Would they only have sent a form asking him to submit his BMI if they were considering him for an appointment or is this just routine?
Click to expand...

My son got a similar worksheet from USAFA. He's 5'11", 215 (but at DODMERB during football season he was 230). He was qualified in October and USAFA has cleared him recently with the worksheet. He's built like a tank....only has 17% bodyfat and he is continuing to lose weight and plans to be 200lbs. by June.

USNA did NOT ask him for the same worksheet. And I'm not going to try and read the tea leaves about that....LOL
 
Nollie said:
In regards to this comment, shortly after receiving a nomination, my son received a letter stating that he was basically "too big" for USNA. He needed to fill out a form that stated his BMI was less than 25. He is 5" 10" and weighs 200lbs. On paper he appeared to be "too fat/big." His BMI is 12. Would they only have sent a form asking him to submit his BMI if they were considering him for an appointment or is this just routine?
Click to expand...

I think you are probably referring to %body fat- his calculated BMI is close to 29- and the cutoff from overweight to obese is 30. BMI is an inexact measurement because it does not account for the increased density/weight of muscle-
 
DD was initially DQ'd for sports injury that had completely healed. DQ was reversed by DODMerb once additional paperwork was submitted from her own doctor as regards to the injury.
 
Still waiting on waiver...
DS had LOA around Labor Day and his nomination was posted on Dec 12. Still nothing re: waiver. I know there is nothing to do but wait...
 
tommyk said:
Still waiting on waiver...
DS had LOA around Labor Day and his nomination was posted on Dec 12. Still nothing re: waiver. I know there is nothing to do but wait...
Click to expand...

DS was in similar situation. I called DODMERB and a very kind gentleman walked me through the status of the waiver indicating the day DODMERB recieved the remedial information and when it was released to the Academies portal for consideration. I then had DS to send an email message to his admissions counselor stating that he was staying on top of his application and wanted to advise the academy that he had submitted the required medical documentation and DODMERB submitted it to the academy for consideration on XXX. He didnt ask for a status, he just wanted to make sure his application stayed on someone's radar.
 
Well, I just found out today (after the DoDMERB site went back online) that I was granted a medical waiver! :smile:
 
From the USNA web site:

6. Medical Examination:
The Admissions Department will submit the candidate contact information to the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB). After a candidate completes 50% of the USNA application, DoDMERB will contact candidates regarding the scheduling of medical examination.

The results of the examination will be forwarded to USNA automatically.

Waivers

Having a disqualifying condition does not impact the evaluation of the candidate for an Offer of Appointment.

If the candidate is found to have a disqualifying condition, he or she will be automatically considered for a waiver if/when he or she is found qualified in all other aspects for Appointment (physical, academic and nomination).

Candidates need not write to request a waiver, nor should they send additional medical information to the Naval Academy for review. The Waiver process will be coordinated through DODMERB.

Also, for any medical questions regarding your application, call Donna Weber (410) 293-1817 in USNA Admissions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top