Got a waiver, good sign?

Bob Borchers

2020Hopeful
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
7
My DD was initially DQ'ed due to a shoulder injury/surgery. She received a waiver from USMA a few weeks ago. She is still waiting on a nomination, but I would think this is a positive sign? Thanks in advance.
 
Very positive sign. USMA does not even consider a medical waiver unless they want that particular candidate.
 
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Same question for my DS. He was DQ'd for a minor vision issue. DODmerb letter DQ said too bad, so sad, nothing you can do.

We started trying to look for options as it sounded like a dead-end. Later that same day his USNA portal read medical waiver granted. Son had done nothing to start a waiver process. We were told this means USNA likes his application, but don't want to read too much into it.

Thanks for your time and insight.
 
Our experience was with USAFA and USMA last year. USAFA admissions wanted our DS -- he was en-route to an early appointment -- had gone to Summer Seminar and loved it -- then got the DoDMERB DQ in late August. USAFA admissions immediately began the waiver process -- they initiate, not you -- but the USAFA docs refused to grant a waiver. (USAFA is different from USMA and USNA -- at USAFA, the docs are the medical waiver authority -- no appeal -- at USMA, and I believe USNA, the docs are advisers to the Admissions Office/Supt.) For USMA, DS had a Presidential nom and Congressional nom, but USMA never requested or pursued a medical waiver. DS had a great record but so did a lot of kids from Virginia Cong District #11 (NoVa), and he wasn't what they were looking for out of the National Pool to meet their needs. All ended well, his great record earned him 1 of the 600 4-year AROTC national scholarships, and Army Cadet Command granted him the medical waiver. Very important to have a good "Plan B".

Our experience isn't with USNA, but assume it is similar to USMA and USAFA, albeit with nuances . . .
 
I am going to be a Debbie Downer for a minute.

I would not see it as anything more than clearing a hurdle unless you have an LOA or are a principal.
~ IWOS, do not be snoopy sitting over the mailbox waiting for an appointment.

There are many kids that got a waiver and still get a TWE. All it is saying, especially at this time, is you are still in the running because you have a nomination. You still have to earn that appointment. Move on with plan B for the just in case the TWE arrives.

Also, I would remind any candidate that getting a waiver does not equate into you will meet standards for certain career fields. IE. Vision waiver for color deficiency is granted, but you want to be a pilot. To become a pilot you will need to meet the FAA FC1 flight physical standards and the AF standards. You may get a waiver to attend an SA, but not later on for your career field.

DoDMERB DQs, Commissioning sources waive.
 
Pima -- I would normally agree with you, and you are correct that it is one more hurdle and to have a plan B ready, but the SAs (at least USAFA and USMA) don't even put you forward for the waiver unless admissions has determined they want you. It isn't that they have determined that you are "competitive" -- it is more than that now based on our interactions with admissions last year It is true it can still "go south" because the waiver doesn't happen or the SA has "over invited" or some other reason. Good to be cautious until the appointment is receive, but IMHO a very good sign.
 
Thank you both. Falcon, we were told it is a very positive sign as admissions likes his profile. And yes Pima, being realistic we realize it is just one more necessary step, one of hopefully more to come... (or not)

Yes, Plans B-D are in place, along with his MOC nomination... (a welcome step). DS had passed the Fitness Assessment at Summer Seminar with respectable numbers, but decided he wanted to max out on the CFA and he did that yesterday. So now he waits and works at school and other service commitments until he hears a decision.

On a personal note, attending a SA is a new life path, as of his invitation to 2015 USNA Summer Seminar and then CVW, and we are doing our best to change gears and support him in his dreams and desires to serve the country. His non SA-hopeful friends are surfing through their senior year, done with school by noon and hanging out at the beach--as you know, there is none of that going on here. We feel very blessed that DS has had this amazing and singular "college admissions" experience. All the other college apps were a breezy walk in the park after this. My husband and I have loved watching DS lead out, be so driven toward a goal, and to take charge of the future he has chosen. He has done his best (and then some), now come what may.

Thank you again for your time and advice.
 
Thank you both. Falcon, we were told it is a very positive sign as admissions likes his profile. And yes Pima, being realistic we realize it is just one more necessary step, one of hopefully more to come... (or not)

Yes, Plans B-D are in place, along with his MOC nomination... (a welcome step). DS had passed the Fitness Assessment at Summer Seminar with respectable numbers, but decided he wanted to max out on the CFA and he did that yesterday. So now he waits and works at school and other service commitments until he hears a decision.

On a personal note, attending a SA is a new life path, as of his invitation to 2015 USNA Summer Seminar and then CVW, and we are doing our best to change gears and support him in his dreams and desires to serve the country. His non SA-hopeful friends are surfing through their senior year, done with school by noon and hanging out at the beach--as you know, there is none of that going on here. We feel very blessed that DS has had this amazing and singular "college admissions" experience. All the other college apps were a breezy walk in the park after this. My husband and I have loved watching DS lead out, be so driven toward a goal, and to take charge of the future he has chosen. He has done his best (and then some), now come what may.

Thank you again for your time and advice.
I am curious to find out how you know admissions likes your DS profile other than the waiver? Did admissions tell you this or the BGO? Just curious, my DS BGO is pretty absent from whole process since interview and admissions counselor is really only contacted to update application and asked about waiver process. It seems some posters have more inside scoop on things than the rest stuck in pending waiver submission/review and pending application review. Trying not to read into either scenario but very very difficult.
 
I am curious to find out how you know admissions likes your DS profile other than the waiver? Did admissions tell you this or the BGO? Just curious, my DS BGO is pretty absent from whole process since interview and admissions counselor is really only contacted to update application and asked about waiver process. It seems some posters have more inside scoop on things than the rest stuck in pending waiver submission/review and pending application review. Trying not to read into either scenario but very very difficult.

FIFI5 Agreed. It is not anything official, just a military friend who has sat on SA admissions boards who said it was a very good sign that the waiver was automatically granted and that they would not start a waiver process for a candidate they weren't interested in. That said, aside from it being another major hurdle that he's over, I don't read too much of anything into it.
I figure with the nomination he's down to maybe a 1 in 4 chance at an appointment. From what I've read 1 spot (all approximate) will go to a recruited athlete, 1 to a girl, 1 to a minority... so he's competing for 1 spot with others who are as or more qualified than he is. It is a numbers game from here forward--all depends on USNA's current needs, how many spots his MOC has to offer and who reviews his submission.

DS has gone everything in his power, so far everything has come together... and now he waits.
 
My DS was one of those kids who was DQ'ed, got a USNA waiver, then a TWE after being waitlisted for Class of 2018. He also received an NROTC waiver and did one year of college with the NROTC scholarship, reapplied to USNA, and received an appointment for Class of 2019. He did not apply to any other SAs. I'm only weighing in to emphasize the need for your DD to have a solid Plan B, even with a strong application and waiver. Several active duty USNA grads and retired Navy told DS he was just what USNA was looking for, so when the waitlist letter and subsequent TWE came, it was a very tough pill. It truly is a numbers game.
 
FIFI5 Agreed. It is not anything official, just a military friend who has sat on SA admissions boards who said it was a very good sign that the waiver was automatically granted and that they would not start a waiver process for a candidate they weren't interested in. That said, aside from it being another major hurdle that he's over, I don't read too much of anything into it.
I figure with the nomination he's down to maybe a 1 in 4 chance at an appointment. From what I've read 1 spot (all approximate) will go to a recruited athlete, 1 to a girl, 1 to a minority... so he's competing for 1 spot with others who are as or more qualified than he is. It is a numbers game from here forward--all depends on USNA's current needs, how many spots his MOC has to offer and who reviews his submission.

DS has gone everything in his power, so far everything has come together... and now he waits.


I've enjoyed the thread - my DS has applied to 3 SAs (USNA, USMMA, USCGA) and NROTC has 3 nominations (2 for USNA and 1 for USMMA) and is DQ'd medically. Only agency showing on DoDMERB dashboard is USNA - they were the ones that initiated the medical last fall. We submitted our AMI and status moved to Pending waiver review by USNA. Waiver not automatically granted but based on what your military friend is saying, USNA sounds like they are interested in him, yes? How long before your waiver approval showed up?

On another note, USMMA and USCGA do NOT show on the DoDMERB dashboard and they never have. Falcon A gave some keen insight into this observation in my DoDMERB thread - these two SAs don't yet consider him competitive and thus have not initiated the waiver process and won't unless they intent to offer him an appointment. That makes sense. Also, his file hasn't been through the NROTC board yet so we know that one won't show up unless they intent to offer him a scholarship.

Another question: if DS gets the waiver and NOT the appointment, how long is the medical waiver valid? He intends to apply again the following year if he gets nothing and we'd like to know if he needs to go through this entire medical process again. Conversely, if he does NOT get a waiver and no appointment but wants to apply next year, can he do so, seeking another waiver and appointment? (PS - don't even want to think about going through all of this all over again next year LOL!)
 
FG&C -- I'm not sure the message on your DoDMERB portal means USNA has initiated a waiver review. You should get a letter or email or phone call from USNA letting you know they have initiated a waiver review. The message on your portal I think means DoDMERB has notified USNA you need a waiver review. You might have your DS inquire respectfully with USNA admissions if they have put him forward for the waiver , and if not, if they plan to and if not what he could do if anything to improve his application so they will put him forward. You might also ask USMMA and USCGA the same. Be respectful and don't badger but should be fine to ask. They should tell you straight.
 
FG&C -- IMHO -- As far as reapplying, if Waiver is granted by the SA I think it is good for the next year. If waiver is denied by the SA, then probably no use to reapply. If never put forward for the waiver then might as well reapply but there is uncertainty.
 
FG&C -- I'm not sure the message on your DoDMERB portal means USNA has initiated a waiver review. You should get a letter or email or phone call from USNA letting you know they have initiated a waiver review. The message on your portal I think means DoDMERB has notified USNA you need a waiver review. You might have your DS inquire respectfully with USNA admissions if they have put him forward for the waiver , and if not, if they plan to and if not what he could do if anything to improve his application so they will put him forward. You might also ask USMMA and USCGA the same. Be respectful and don't badger but should be fine to ask. They should tell you straight.

Excellent advice. Thank you. We will share the outcome.
 
it was about 2 weeks from the exam to the waiver, but the DQ from DoDMERB came a few days before the waiver, which just showed up in the portal - the confirmation letter came 2-3 weeks later. I hope that helps.
 
DS applied to USMA,USNA, and USAFA but was medically DQ'd. DS got a waiver from USMA ,so hopefully that will lead to an appointment. USAFA initiated the waiver on his behalf and we are waiting to hear the final word. USNA has not put in for a waiver. Per USNA they will only put in for a waiver if the candidate is in line to receive an appointment...Best of luck to everyone!
 
DS applied to USMA,USNA, and USAFA but was medically DQ'd. DS got a waiver from USMA ,so hopefully that will lead to an appointment. USAFA initiated the waiver on his behalf and we are waiting to hear the final word. USNA has not put in for a waiver. Per USNA they will only put in for a waiver if the candidate is in line to receive an appointment...Best of luck to everyone!

Best of luck to your candidate! Are you certain about USNA? I received a waiver in December and haven't heard anything yet.
 
Best of luck to your candidate! Are you certain about USNA? I received a waiver in December and haven't heard anything yet.
I copied and pasted this from the e-mail that my DS received from the admissions counselor, hope it helps:

"If/when you become in line for an offer of appointment, we at USNA will automatically begin the medical waiver process. You will receive a notification letter in the mail when the waiver process has begun. In that letter will contain instructions on what actions are required from you (if any) for the waiver process."
 
I copied and pasted this from the e-mail that my DS received from the admissions counselor, hope it helps:

"If/when you become in line for an offer of appointment, we at USNA will automatically begin the medical waiver process. You will receive a notification letter in the mail when the waiver process has begun. In that letter will contain instructions on what actions are required from you (if any) for the waiver process."

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I desperately hope that holds to be true for every candidate... Nothing would make me happier than to receive an appointment. Or my dad for that matter (class of '83). I hope your candidate is rewarded for the hard work they have demonstrated!
 
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