Medical and Backup Colleges

I have two questions:

1. How many candidates on this forum are going through medical remedials/waivers/etc for dodmerb and how hard of a process has it been for you?

2. As much as I hate the thought of not getting an appointment, I have to have a backup plan. I've been accepted into a couple colleges and if I weren't to get an appointment I would probably go to one of those schools, but you have to accept the offer of admission by around April or May. What happens if I end up being one of those that the Academy waits until May to inform me of my appoint or lack of?

Any insight would be great

usnahopeful2014 said:

I have two questions:

1. How many candidates on this forum are going through medical remedials/waivers/etc for dodmerb and how hard of a process has it been for you?

2. As much as I hate the thought of not getting an appointment, I have to have a backup plan. I've been accepted into a couple colleges and if I weren't to get an appointment I would probably go to one of those schools, but you have to accept the offer of admission by around April or May. What happens if I end up being one of those that the Academy waits until May to inform me of my appoint or lack of?

Any insight would be great

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I can answer your first question. Dealing with DoDMERB was not difficult. Go to the DoDMERB forum and email Larry Mullen, with your questions. He is very helpful and will point you in the direction you need.

usnahopeful2014 said:

2. As much as I hate the thought of not getting an appointment, I have to have a backup plan. I've been accepted into a couple colleges and if I weren't to get an appointment I would probably go to one of those schools, but you have to accept the offer of admission by around April or May. What happens if I end up being one of those that the Academy waits until May to inform me of my appoint or lack of?

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I currently have two sons at the Naval Academy in the Class of 2013. Both were admitted into another university and accepted their offer of admission. It's the only way you can have a 100% reliable back-up. Yes, you might be out some money - but that's the price of piece of mind should you break your leg the last week in June.

They just didn't go to that university. Just because you accept admission doesn't compel you to show up - just as some candidates with an appointment to the Naval Academy, who accepted that appointment, will not show up on I-Day. There are always a few.

There was actually one candidate who quit on I-Day while still be processed in Alumni Hall. Statistically, he was not included in the attrition statistics since he was never officially sworn-in as a midshipman.

Like Memphis, I have a son in USNA Class of 2013. He accepted the offer from Texas A&M. We paid a housing deposit, signed up for the freshman orientation, etc.

Then we wrote several letters to various departments at Texas A&M. Housing, Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, dated July 5, 2009. Those letters explained that he was at USNA and would not be attending Texas A&M. When I returned home from I-Day festivities, I placed those in the mail. We had spoken with someone at TAMU who assured us that this was acceptable and would allow plenty of time to re-route the scholarship and financial aid dollars, etc. Apparently, they have applicants who accept and just don't show up.

You must have a back up plan. If you get sick, break an ankle, etc and miss I-Day, you will be glad you did the extra work to have a back up plan!

How does accepting an ROTC scholarship fit in with a backup plan? In other words, is it advisable to accept admission to the college and an ROTC scholarship as a back up to a service academy? Thanks.

Okay hope you don't mind if I latch on to the backup plan question.

My son has an appointment to AF (and hopefully one to Navy as well). We planned (based on advice on these boards) to accept State U, just in case anything happens between now and the end of the summer. I looked into housing and found out that I risk $6000 by signing a contract, but that housing is always available (just might not get your first pick or have to go for slightly pricier) so we won't do the housing and just scramble for some if the worst-case-scenario occurs.

However, when I was posting about it on the State U board on College Confidential (learning about the housing) and mentioned my son was planning on an academy, but still accepting State U, I had someone post that it would be an "Ethics Violation" for him to accept both as of May 1 (since you can only accept one "college" legally and academies are colleges)! Now I find it strange that I haven't heard that before on the SA Forums, either here or on CC, (which are all about ethics) if that's the case, but I certainly don't want my son getting into trouble at an academy because mom insisted on a backup school for him!!

Anyone know?

DevilDog, I have spoken to Mr. Mullen several times and he has been helpful in explaining my dq, but beyond that process has been very very difficult. I am constantly going to appointments, getting letters and tests all to prove that nothing is wrong with me, it's quite frustrating.

As for the backup plan, it sounds like some of you have accepted admission to colleges and then when the appointment from USNA is received you just don't go to that backup. I have been accepted to a couple colleges, but on the papers it says that accepting offer of admission is basically set in stone, if you accept you must go so I don't know what to do?

Well, as far as I understand it, even if you accept, you can change your mind before May 1 (and I may even be wrong about this!). If nothing else, you can wait until May 1 to accept the civilian college. But my concern is more with if you want to accept and then wait and cancel after the summer training is over (with no injuries, or wanting to quit or whatever!). I know I've seen a lot of recommendations on these boards to do that, but am wondering if it's possible!

I struggled with this same question last year with respect to my daughter. I felt she should have a back-up plan and she felt she didn't need one. Long story short, she made it safely through the bubble wrap period and entered the Naval Academy and never had a back-up plan.

What helped me get my head around her not having a safety net is this: My child was accepted into the USNA - one of the most competitive colleges in the United States. If for some reason she didn't attend, why wouldn't another college want this person as a student, assuming they have the room. Just as people don't show up to the Academy, people don't show up to a private university. She might not have her first choice in classes or housing, at least for the first semester, but I was pretty confident that a reputable college somewhere would have taken her.

GoNavyMom

I would have a back up plan. Have heard of kids going to Communtity College for a year and re-applying. If your or your kid has another school they really want as a back up, I'd apply, accept and re-evaluate May 1. Talk to the school. We did and they were ok with our plan.

marciemi are you saying that if you get injured at all during plebe summer they kick you out?? I thought you had to stay injury free prior to I-day and after that they would do anything and everything to keep you there even with injury?

usnahopeful2014 said:

marciemi are you saying that if you get injured at all during plebe summer they kick you out?? I thought you had to stay injury free prior to I-day and after that they would do anything and everything to keep you there even with injury?

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It depends on the severity of the injury. My understanding is that you cannot miss X days of summer training (I think at USAFA it is around 8 but not certain exact number nor how USNA does it) and also that there are certain things that you absolutely must complete (at USAFA I believe the A-Course is one of those items). I don't know the specifics but generally that's the way it goes. If you cannot complete the program you get a medical turn back. That means you leave but can return and re-do the summer next year, joining the next class. This applies if you actually make it to take the oath (I-Day). Anything prior to that will require that you re-apply. Injury during summer training is a medical turn back so no re-application, just arrive and show you are healed and join the next class.

The other reason for the back up school is the kids that drop during the training not because of injury but rather because they realized that the SA is not for them.