Mononucleosis

DS has suspected mono and will have a blood test today to confirm. According to his BGO, he is 3Q and is just waiting along with everyone else to hear.

My question is regarding his school schedule - DS has missed quite a bit this semester already due to feeling run down and his school counselor is recommending dropping some classes to make for an easier schedule while he recovers from mono, which can take weeks or even months.

He only needs English and government to graduate, but is taking 4 AP classes also: Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, and Literature, in addition to 4th year of a foreign language. He loves all of his classes and doesn’t want to drop any of them, but he is in jeopardy of failing some if he misses much more school.

What do you all recommend? I’m thinking about keeping AP Lit, Calculus, and government, and then dropping the rest. How will this look to the Naval Academy and impact his chance for an appointment? Feeling worried!

My DS was counseled that sciences were most important so I would concentrate on the STEM (Calc, physics) courses unless he needs Lit to graduate as his English course.

Hope he feels better soon. Our DD had it last semester of her HS senior year and then again first semester of her sophomore year of college (yes you can get it more than once - old wives tale). Not fun.

Have your DS reach out to his BGO and discuss the class drops. I would also tend to say to keep Calc and Physics if it comes to that, but his BGO knows his overall package better than any of us.

My son had mono early spring of HS senior year ...DoDMERB DQed him( just a few weeks prior to I-day) due to an enlarged spleen...... letter from his family Dr, a great candidates' advocate at DoDMERB that helped this dad thru the steps for a last minute medical waiver by the SUP got him to I-day and far beyond !!! Be sure you update the candidate’s medical history with the Academy/ DoDMERB ASAP so there isn’t a crisis on I-Day.

A few responses from the OP here:

His AP Lit counts as his English class. He could keep it, or drop to Honors English.

His entire high school schedule has been very STEM-focused. He had Honors Physics last year, in addition to AP Chemistry, Engineering, and Honors Computer Science. Even if he drops these classes, he should have no problem doing well on the AP exams, based on practice tests so far.

His BGO said he is very competitive - highest test scores of any of his candidates and interviewed well. He is out of town right now but DS will contact him when he gets back.

We’re not reaching out to DODMERB just yet, but waiting until DS has an official diagnosis. I’m just working on a plan and trying to gauge the possible response from USNA if we do need to move in this direction.

Thanks all - much appreciated!

First, very sorry to hear about your son's medical condition. Mono can be very serious and frustrating. Many an athlete has suffered career-ending disappointment from this disease. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

Second, regrettably, no one on this site, including the BGOs of which I am one, can advise a candidate with any degree of certainty on this topic. Trying to second-guess whether or not a change in a high school candidate's schedule mid-year will be good enough to be selected for an appointment can be a slippery slope. Perhaps a different perspective would help here... Ask yourself: What am I doing now to best prepare myself for the rigors of Plebe Year? Candidates who are Waitlisted or flat out rejected face this question when they activate their Plan B and reapply for next year. That's when they realize that their new Personal Statement becomes all about the unexpected illness (setback) and how they handled (or perhaps mishandled) that situation. Expect to win and Don't give up the ship!

First, I hope it's not mono. Worst case -- it is -- couple of different issues.

On the medical front, fully agree that there is no need to contact DODMERB unless/until there is an official diagnosis. If there is, I would contact them b/c a mono diagnosis would appear to be a change in his medical status. My guess (and it's only that) is they'll want a letter from your DS's primary physician prior to I-Day saying the condition has fully resolved and that he is cleared for all activities. A change in DODMERB status for this reason should NOT affect whether you are offered an appointment. It could well hold up the appointment itself b/c DS wouldn't be medically qualified until the mono resolves -- in that case, they'd likely issue an LOA contingent on medical clearing before I-Day. Hope that makes sense.

On the dropping/not dropping classes front . . . at this point, 8th semester is not going to have any impact on whether your DS receives an appointment. If he does, he will need to have sufficient classes to graduate (get his degree). So making sure he completes those classes if medically possible is the first priority. The second priority is trying to stay current in classes he will likely take as a plebe. In the end, it's most important that he follows his doctor's orders so that he recovers as quickly as possible.

If he is not offered an appointment AND plans to apply next year, the situation is a bit more complicated. Again, I would start with what the doctor recommends. If he can't stay up with his coursework, he may want to consider summer school to make up what he missed. It's something your DS can discuss with his BGO and RD if and when the situation occurs.

+1 to NavyHoops. Her suggestions are always wise.

DS could also email usna admissions for guidance as far as classes/dropping classes.

My own DS had mono at the beginning of the year. It is very taxing, thats for sure! And affects different people differently. Thankfully DS recovered quickly.

4BoysMom said:

DS has suspected mono and will have a blood test today to confirm. According to his BGO, he is 3Q and is just waiting along with everyone else to hear.

My question is regarding his school schedule - DS has missed quite a bit this semester already due to feeling run down and his school counselor is recommending dropping some classes to make for an easier schedule while he recovers from mono, which can take weeks or even months.

He only needs English and government to graduate, but is taking 4 AP classes also: Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, and Literature, in addition to 4th year of a foreign language. He loves all of his classes and doesn’t want to drop any of them, but he is in jeopardy of failing some if he misses much more school.

What do you all recommend? I’m thinking about keeping AP Lit, Calculus, and government, and then dropping the rest. How will this look to the Naval Academy and impact his chance for an appointment? Feeling worried!

Click to expand...

Speaking as a plebe mom- if your son gets an appointment -his first official day of plebe summer will be the PRT and academic testing to place out of certain classes his plebe year. Keep Calculus, AP Lit - these classes he will take tests on to test out of- keep Physics if he can - he will take Physics his youngster year- I believe they test them out for Physics too but not 100%.

Norfolk63 said:

no one on this site, including the BGOs of which I am one, can advise a candidate with any degree of certainty on this topic.

Click to expand...

+1 .. BGO doesn't have an answer, and his/her answer is going to be strictly opinion. My opinion: You have two approaches to this -- 1) Ask Admissions directly. This is a double edged sword, you will get a good answer, but drawing attention to this could be a negative. 2) Say nothing (now), reduce course load (I would recommend keeping STEM), and once resolved (with Dr. clean bill of health in hand), be up front and notify USNA. I have no idea how they will react .... I reported to NAPS with mono (diagnosed only a few weeks before), and don't recall if I ever thought to report it.

thunderheadc6 said:

Speaking as a plebe mom- if your son gets an appointment -his first official day of plebe summer will be the PRT and academic testing to place out of certain classes his plebe year. Keep Calculus, AP Lit - these classes he will take tests on to test out of- keep Physics if he can - he will take Physics his youngster year- I believe they test them out for Physics too but not 100%.

Click to expand...

> There are alot of threads on this Forum about validating classes. My opinion is that whether or not you qualify to validate a class at USNA should not even be a consideration in this circumstance. Plenty of Midshipman don't validate any classes, and you will be a USNA for 4 years regardless.

Old Navy BGO said:

Norfolk63 said:

no one on this site, including the BGOs of which I am one, can advise a candidate with any degree of certainty on this topic.

Click to expand...

+1 .. BGO doesn't have an answer, and his/her answer is going to be strictly opinion. My opinion: You have two approaches to this -- 1) Ask Admissions directly. This is a double edged sword, you will get a good answer, but drawing attention to this could be a negative. 2) Say nothing (now), reduce course load (I would recommend keeping STEM), and once resolved (with Dr. clean bill of health in hand), be up front and notify USNA. I have no idea how they will react .... I reported to NAPS with mono (diagnosed only a few weeks before), and don't recall if I ever thought to report it.

thunderheadc6 said:

Speaking as a plebe mom- if your son gets an appointment -his first official day of plebe summer will be the PRT and academic testing to place out of certain classes his plebe year. Keep Calculus, AP Lit - these classes he will take tests on to test out of- keep Physics if he can - he will take Physics his youngster year- I believe they test them out for Physics too but not 100%.

Click to expand...

> There are alot of threads on this Forum about validating classes. My opinion is that whether or not you qualify to validate a class at USNA should not even be a consideration in this circumstance. Plenty of Midshipman don't validate any classes, and you will be a USNA for 4 years regardless.

Click to expand...

just thought it was something to consider since the OP asked how dropping classes would affect her son

thunderheadc6 said:

Old Navy BGO said:

Norfolk63 said:

no one on this site, including the BGOs of which I am one, can advise a candidate with any degree of certainty on this topic.

Click to expand...

+1 .. BGO doesn't have an answer, and his/her answer is going to be strictly opinion. My opinion: You have two approaches to this -- 1) Ask Admissions directly. This is a double edged sword, you will get a good answer, but drawing attention to this could be a negative. 2) Say nothing (now), reduce course load (I would recommend keeping STEM), and once resolved (with Dr. clean bill of health in hand), be up front and notify USNA. I have no idea how they will react .... I reported to NAPS with mono (diagnosed only a few weeks before), and don't recall if I ever thought to report it.

thunderheadc6 said:

Speaking as a plebe mom- if your son gets an appointment -his first official day of plebe summer will be the PRT and academic testing to place out of certain classes his plebe year. Keep Calculus, AP Lit - these classes he will take tests on to test out of- keep Physics if he can - he will take Physics his youngster year- I believe they test them out for Physics too but not 100%.

Click to expand...

> There are alot of threads on this Forum about validating classes. My opinion is that whether or not you qualify to validate a class at USNA should not even be a consideration in this circumstance. Plenty of Midshipman don't validate any classes, and you will be a USNA for 4 years regardless.

Click to expand...

just thought it was something to consider since the OP asked how dropping classes would affect her son

Click to expand...

Indeed. In this kind of situation, it is wise to ask for opinions. Which is why we are here, to help each other. As BGOs we are instructed to be cautious about dispensing opinions, however, because at the end if the day, no one really knows for sure what Admissions will decide. Each Candidate's individual circumstance is entirely different... as are the needs of the Navy. The important thing isnto do your best, play the hand you've been dealt, and Don't give up the ship!

My daughter’s grades suffered from mono years ago.

My son was struggling with a class and wanted to drop it ... basketball takes like 4 hours every day and he has a lot of AP classes.

His accounting average was down to a 91 or so this quarter. He went to guidance and they wouldn’t let him drop because it’s too late.

Iirc - teachers treated my daughter very well through the process. I would also contact the teachers and try to work with them.

If I have been paying attention - the best course of action is honesty up front. And be proactive.

OP here, just back to update:

I’m happy to report that DS does not have mono, but ‘just’ a case of influenza. I can’t say I’m happy he has influenza, but I’m overall thrilled that it’s not something that is going to keep him out potentially for months to recover, and possibly require a DODMERB DQ and waiver process.

Thanks for everyone’s input and advice!