Effect of waiver on appointment

usnahopeful2014

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
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OK, so as of right now I fall under the waiting desperately, camping out at mailbox, going totally insane group of current candidates. I've been told I have a strong application and I believe I am quite competitive for appointment based on these forums and my own research. THE ONLY THING HOLDING ME BACK IS THIS STUPID WAIVER SITUATION. I know all about Larry Mullen and I've spoken to him, but I'd like some input from others on this forum about the actual effect the waiver process has on appointment. I understand that the academies need to grant the waivers on an individual basis and DoDMERB has nothing to do with this process anymore (other than posting info, which sometimes is incorrect by the way :mad:).

This is my fear. The admissions board gets to looking at my application and they like what they see, but they also like this other person's application. In fact we are quite similar, except he/she is medically qualified whereas I am in need of a waiver. Will the board auto-divert to the other person simply because a medical qualification is "better" than the need for a waiver? This whole medical situation is really bothering me and my parents. I refuse to let this little issue (actually non-issue) stop me from achieving my dream. Does anyone know how much weight is actually placed upon the need to grant a waiver vs a person already medically qualified? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated :thumb:
 
hopeful, I'm in the same situation as you. I'm also waiting on an allergy waiver (stung by a wasp once and had hives, that was it...). Anyway this question never even occurred to me. I would also like to know if anyone knows the answer to this one.
 
Goat,
I do know that the appointment process and the waiver process are done separately, but yeah like you I want to know, for instance, if the board sees that you need a waiver before or after they get serious about considering you for appointment. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated.
 
No full appointment will be awarded until a candidate is medically qualified.

Yes, a candidate with similar credentials (but not in need of a waiver) may get the appointment you were waiting for.
 
It is my understanding that the decisions are seperate. The board makes their decision on offer of admission and medical (not DoDMERB) along with Superintendent make waiver decision.
 
Ok I guess I'm still not understanding the answers... If the board meets and reviews applications and mine an someone elses very similar to mine are looked at at the same time, but the exception is that they do not need a medical waiver, will they automatically pick them over me even though I am in the process of receiving a waiver, or will they wait until the waiver process is over to fully review your application?
 
Ok I guess I'm still not understanding the answers... If the board meets and reviews applications and mine an someone elses very similar to mine are looked at at the same time, but the exception is that they do not need a medical waiver, will they automatically pick them over me even though I am in the process of receiving a waiver, or will they wait until the waiver process is over to fully review your application?

Goat,

I still don't know either, maybe we are asking this wrong, but I do know from emailing my RD that the processes are done separately. But just like you say, I wanna know when the board is sitting together and looking over our applications, is the fact that I am medically disqualified on the packets that they are looking at or not?
 
if two applicants are the same and one doesn't need a waiver while the other one does, they're gonna give it to the one that doesn't need the waiver..they'll then place u up against another candidate and decide from there, if u got ur waiver and ur better qualified than the other, u got it..if u haven't gotten ur waiver yet, it'll jus keep going if u get one or not..
 
Ok I'm going to try to explain my question better. When we are being considered for a medical waiver are they going to put us up next to another applicant who is qualified and say that that person gets the appointment because they do not need a waiver? OR, are they going to say this person is in the process of getting a waiver lets make the decision on his appointment after his waiver decision is made. In other words, are we being taken off the table until after our medical waivers are processed or are they constantly putting us up against other applicants and filling our spot with them solely because they were medically qualified their first time around?
 
Hopeful,
Is this basically what you are asking, or am I totally off track of your question?
 
OK, this is my "take" on it, having been part of a college admissions panel for a very selective program many years ago. I don't KNOW the exact procedures or methods used by the Naval Academy.
Ideal score= 100

-10 for medical issue=90

Your overall score doesn't put you in the top 20% accepted but, puts you in the top 40% accepted

The point is your overall score, who cares if you're number 1 or number 1000 of the 12-1300 accepted? So yeah, if you're hanging on for the VERY LAST spot between you and someone that doesn't need a waiver, you're SOL!

Jeeze, wasn't "Bull" Halsey at the bottom of his class? (my apologies to Adm. Halsey if I'm wrong)
 
Flaw in the logic; unlike a risk factor at the selective colleges, while there's a waiver request pending, it's a non-starter; there is no appointment. Once a candidate gets a waiver, he or she is in the general pool -- which may or may not be too late.

On another thread, I read that, once the Academy ranks the Congressman's slate of 10 for WCS, an appointment is offered in rank order. It also said that, if the offer is made to someone on the list of the ten who is waiting for a waiver, the process stops until the waiver is granted or denied and that candidate has a chance to accept or reject. I do not know if this is accurate, and would appreciate clarification or confirmation from someone with more experience.
 
Hopeful,
Is this basically what you are asking, or am I totally off track of your question?

Yeah that's basically what I'm asking Goat. It sounds like we have a problem here, having to wait for the waiver before being put into the general pool (which hopefully isn't too late). So then my questions would be: who is reviewing my waiver consideration? When/how will they let me know whether I am being granted/denied a waiver??
 
So then my questions would be: who is reviewing my waiver consideration? When/how will they let me know whether I am being granted/denied a waiver??

Hopeful,
I think I can help there. Anyone, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I know how this part works. The waivers are granted by doctors. I don't know if they work for the Academy, the Navy, or if they are private doctors, but they are the ones who decide if you get the waiver, need further testing, etc. You will be notified by mail, but probably the fastest way is through checking your status on the dodmerb website, https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/default.asp. I can't really tell you when, I don't know that anyone can, you will just have to wait and see.
 
I can't really tell you when, I don't know that anyone can, you will just have to wait and see.

Yeah I know that no one really knows or can say anything about that like you said, but I've been "pending waiver submission/review" now for several months. This begs the new question: Have they not looked at my waiver file yet or are they passing it over for maybe more "easily waiverable people?"

SO MANY QUESTIONS!! :biggrin:
 
A USNA doctor reviews your medical records to determine whether or not they think you should get a waiver. If they recommend "yes," it still has to go up the chain to the Supe for a final decision. I am not sure if the Supe reviews if the doc says "No."
 
Waited

I waited since July for my waiver and received it a few weeks ago. Senior Medical Officer Commander Skanchy makes a recommendation to the Superintendent whom then makes the final decision on the waiver and you are let known of the decision via the dodmerb website. It was a great relief signing on to the Dodmerb website and seeing that the status had final changed after months and months of checking! He might do them in batches so keep waiting and keep your hopes up! I believe the board reviews your application after one is 3Q'd so I should be in that group currently along with many others still waiting. Keep your head up!
 
Ok I'm going to try to explain my question better. When we are being considered for a medical waiver are they going to put us up next to another applicant who is qualified and say that that person gets the appointment because they do not need a waiver? OR, are they going to say this person is in the process of getting a waiver lets make the decision on his appointment after his waiver decision is made. In other words, are we being taken off the table until after our medical waivers are processed or are they constantly putting us up against other applicants and filling our spot with them solely because they were medically qualified their first time around?

It seems to me the WORST part about needing a waiver is that it tends to delay the appointment, if it is ever given at all. The question you SHOULD be asking is, "When will my waiver situation be resolved? Just how long is this going to take? And, what if they've already sent out all the appointments while I'm still waiting for a waiver?"
 
If you are determined to need a waiver your packet will be referred to a medical officer assigned to the Admissions Board. He will review your file to determine the severity of your situation and its impact upon your ability to serve. He may have you get a more detailed assessment from your physician or a specialist. He may have you report to a military hospital in your area or to Naval Hospital Bethesda. If he still has a concern about your ability to perform as a member of the naval services he may refer your situation to BUMED or BUPERS for resolution. I have had candidates who have gone through the extended procedure.

There are a couple of considerations. 1) USNA is permitted to have a limited number of midshipmen on waivers because of the needs of the service to have able-bodied Sailors and Marines. 2) Midshipmen who cannot go into the unrestricted line branches will have to go into the staff corps and this is limited. 3) It would be unacceptable for the SAs to induct candidates who are known not to be physically qualified for commissioning.

One last misperception to be resolved. Candidates' files are briefed to the Admissions Board individually and voted upon as they are presented; there is not a comparison factor involved. Consider that hundreds of files are reviewed in each session of the board. Your file will stand on its own merits without comparison with another candidate's file.

Best wishes to you.
 
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