Chances of getting a waiver

I'm a 16 year old sophomore looking to go to West Point. I've been diagnosed with ADD and anxiety, and I've taken meds for both. I don't take meds for ADD anymore and I've been able to maintain my grades (A range with Honors classes) and I'm looking to get off the anxiety medication very soon. What are my chances of getting a medical waiver for West Point?

DODI 6130.03 holds the answers to your question, kid. You have to be med-free to join-- and for a certain period of time. See Para. 5.28, sections A and Q.

The ADD wouldn't concern me as much as the anxiety. Especially if you have taken meds for that. Waiver or not-- understand that the USMA is a very stressful experience and they will hit your triggers regularly during your first year or two. Actual war is even worse. If your anxiety was so severe that you required medication, are you really sure you want to go that route?

It's as if a claustrophobe was signing up for submarine duty-- the Navy might sign off on it, but are you sure you want to?

No one can give you "chances for a waiver". The bottom line for waivers is: Are you desirable enough that the Army feels they REALLY want you? You have to meet ALL other quals first, the NOM, the academic standards (understand many of your fellow candidates will have taken AP classes or be in an IB Program), have good varsity athletic history, and participate in school activities like NHS, Student Govt, etc. Then you have pass the CFE. IF your WCS is excellent, then they may grant you a waiver. Like Tbpxece said...with a history of anxiety, you might want to rethink your career choice, the Military is VERY stressful!

Tbpxece said:

DODI 6130.03 holds the answers to your question, kid. You have to be med-free to join-- and for a certain period of time. See Para. 5.28, sections A and Q.

The ADD wouldn't concern me as much as the anxiety. Especially if you have taken meds for that. Waiver or not-- understand that the USMA is a very stressful experience and they will hit your triggers regularly during your first year or two. Actual war is even worse. If your anxiety was so severe that you required medication, are you really sure you want to go that route?

It's as if a claustrophobe was signing up for submarine duty-- the Navy might sign off on it, but are you sure you

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Tbpxece said:

DODI 6130.03 holds the answers to your question, kid. You have to be med-free to join-- and for a certain period of time. See Para. 5.28, sections A and Q.

The ADD wouldn't concern me as much as the anxiety. Especially if you have taken meds for that. Waiver or not-- understand that the USMA is a very stressful experience and they will hit your triggers regularly during your first year or two. Actual war is even worse. If your anxiety was so severe that you required medication, are you really sure you want to go that route?

It's as if a claustrophobe was signing up for submarine duty-- the Navy might sign off on it, but are you sure you want to?

Click to expand...

I’m not sure yet. When my anxiety was the worst I was younger (11-12 years old) and I feel like I’d be much better at managing it in a stressful situation compared to back then.

Talk to some of the members in the USMA threads, a lot of them are cadets now and can explain to you better the level of stress you will have in WP. There is no reason to enter a career that could, even if only could, trigger your anxiety. It would be a miserable life for however long you stayed, and since it would be listed as a pre-existing condition on your medical file, they would not give you disability for it if they discharged or separated you. It is good to want to serve, but maybe an ROTC program then going into cyber or admin after may be a better choice. You still get to serve, but without the SA stress levels and hopefully you will never have to see combat.