Anyone else doing the "waiver wait"?

jebdad

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Patience, patience, patience...... I realize its that time in the process to just be patient but wondering if others are experiencing same thing. DS has a condition that requires a waiver. The USMA portal has listed "disqualified" since exam was complete a couple of months ago.

We have provided DODMERB with all of the info they have requested. The DODMERB site lists "pending USMA waiver review." When DS called DODMERB concerned about the USMA portal saying disqualified, they said the DODMERB site was a more accurate description of where he is at in the process and to not rely on the USMA portal for determining his current medical status. Does the "pending USMA waiver review" mean that it is actually being reviewed for a waiver by USMA? Or, does it mean they are determining if they want to review it?

Anyone who has experienced this before - does the portal actually change to something like "waiver requested" or "waiver granted" or does it just stay as "disqualified" until a final decision is made on candidate?

On the pessimistic side of things, I am assuming that the length of wait for the waiver decision is driven by how competitive the candidate's file is. If the candidate is a rock star, the waiver decision would come fast. Is this a fair assumption?
 
I am a candidate for USMA 2020 who required a waiver and received one. From what I've gathered from official correspondence with the academy, USMA pursuing a waiver is entirely determined by the competitiveness of the candidate. Speaking strictly from my own experience, when USMA initiates the waiver process, the first thing that should appear on your portal is a document on the homepage, with a new letter labelled "WAIVER REQUEST STATUS" appearing in the "Official Correspondence" box. This document details that due to "a solid record of accomplishment," USMA requested a waiver on your behalf. At the same time as that letter or perhaps a bit after, the "Status" in the "Medical" section of your application overview should change from "Disqualified" to "Waiver Requested." After a period of time where DODMERB may request information from you, the West Point medical authorities and the Admissions Committee will evaluate the waiver request and either approve or deny the request. If your waiver is approved, then a document labelled "WAIVER APPROVED" should appear in the "Official Correspondence" box in the application home page, and your "Status" in the "Medical" section of your application should change from "Waiver Requested" to "Waiver Approved" and subsequently "Qualified" after a few days. Again, this is my own experience with the waiver process, and may not be indicative of how the process is for everyone.
 
NJ1020 - Thanks for the detailed response. You confirmed what I was fearing. DS better get plan B in order as his experience in the waiver process has been nothing like yours. In this case, I think no news is bad news.
 
I am a candidate for USMA 2020 who required a waiver and received one. From what I've gathered from official correspondence with the academy, USMA pursuing a waiver is entirely determined by the competitiveness of the candidate. Speaking strictly from my own experience, when USMA initiates the waiver process, the first thing that should appear on your portal is a document on the homepage, with a new letter labelled "WAIVER REQUEST STATUS" appearing in the "Official Correspondence" box. This document details that due to "a solid record of accomplishment," USMA requested a waiver on your behalf. At the same time as that letter or perhaps a bit after, the "Status" in the "Medical" section of your application overview should change from "Disqualified" to "Waiver Requested." After a period of time where DODMERB may request information from you, the West Point medical authorities and the Admissions Committee will evaluate the waiver request and either approve or deny the request. If your waiver is approved, then a document labelled "WAIVER APPROVED" should appear in the "Official Correspondence" box in the application home page, and your "Status" in the "Medical" section of your application should change from "Waiver Requested" to "Waiver Approved" and subsequently "Qualified" after a few days. Again, this is my own experience with the waiver process, and may not be indicative of how the process is for everyone.
How long did it take from the time USMA notified you it was requesting a waiver, to when you actually received it? DS received notification in January, but has heard nothing since. He was told it could take up to 120 days, but sounds like some are decided much more quickly. I too, wonder if this is bad news.
 
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@Polly59 The trouble with medical waivers is that they are complex. Each case is separately routed and evaluated so it is not a case of First In, First Out. You won't be able to compare your case to someone else to gauge the time to complete. Some that are simple, have a precedent set, and all the required information available can sail right through. Others that are more subjective, might require further testing, and/or consultation with other doctors take longer. Add on top of that volume of waivers being requested AND volume of patients being seen (the doctors reviewing these waiver requests just don't sit around waiting on waivers, they work in the hospital on post and have Cadets, Soldiers, Family Members, and Retirees to see). Later in the year, more candidates are complete with their medical tests and it is clearer who will need a waiver, so more are requested. This winter period is also cold and flu season, so guess what happens to the patient load. This is exactly why WP lists a long time frame.

What you need to do is make sure that any and all information that the surgeon needs to make their recommendation is at DoDMERB. That could require you to get testing done on your own so it is already there. There are only about 45 days (April 15) left for a waiver to get through and that includes being approved by the admissions committee which only meets on Tuesdays.
 
@Polly59 The trouble with medical waivers is that they are complex. Each case is separately routed and evaluated so it is not a case of First In, First Out. You won't be able to compare your case to someone else to gauge the time to complete. Some that are simple, have a precedent set, and all the required information available can sail right through. Others that are more subjective, might require further testing, and/or consultation with other doctors take longer. Add on top of that volume of waivers being requested AND volume of patients being seen (the doctors reviewing these waiver requests just don't sit around waiting on waivers, they work in the hospital on post and have Cadets, Soldiers, Family Members, and Retirees to see). Later in the year, more candidates are complete with their medical tests and it is clearer who will need a waiver, so more are requested. This winter period is also cold and flu season, so guess what happens to the patient load. This is exactly why WP lists a long time frame.

What you need to do is make sure that any and all information that the surgeon needs to make their recommendation is at DoDMERB. That could require you to get testing done on your own so it is already there. There are only about 45 days (April 15) left for a waiver to get through and that includes being approved by the admissions committee which only meets on Tuesdays.
Thanks for you thorough answer. I know we have to sit tight....
 
How long did it take from the time USMA notified you it was requesting a waiver, to when you actually received it? DS received notification in January, but has heard nothing since. He was told it could take up to 120 days, but sounds like some are decided much more quickly. I too, wonder if this is bad news.
For DS, about 9 weeks.
 
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