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CarolinaGirl

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My son is allergic to cashews and pistachios. His USAFA application is complete and he has a congressional nomination. The USAFA portal says "medically DQed". It has been this way since mid-November. The DoDMERB portal says "Pending Waiver Submission/Review." He has emailed both DoDMERB and his USAFA admissions counselor numerous times and no one gives an answer and they just say to wait. We don't even know if this means he has been issued a waiver. How can we find out if he is still in the running? If he is, will they let us know what we need to do next? Like will he have to submit paperwork and/or records from his allergist or contact info for his allergist and docs and USAFA gets in touch with them? My son's first choice is USAFA and has not applied to any other academies but has been accepted to Chapel Hill, Clemson, NC State and Auburn. I'm afraid if they don't start the ball rolling here again soon and give us a sign, he'll just withdraw his application and move on since he has other excellent choices. HELP please!
 
CarolinaGirl said:
My son is allergic to cashews and pistachios. His USAFA application is complete and he has a congressional nomination. The USAFA portal says "medically DQed". It has been this way since mid-November. The DoDMERB portal says "Pending Waiver Submission/Review." He has emailed both DoDMERB and his USAFA admissions counselor numerous times and no one gives an answer and they just say to wait. We don't even know if this means he has been issued a waiver. How can we find out if he is still in the running? If he is, will they let us know what we need to do next? Like will he have to submit paperwork and/or records from his allergist or contact info for his allergist and docs and USAFA gets in touch with them? My son's first choice is USAFA and has not applied to any other academies but has been accepted to Chapel Hill, Clemson, NC State and Auburn. I'm afraid if they don't start the ball rolling here again soon and give us a sign, he'll just withdraw his application and move on since he has other excellent choices. HELP please!
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Join the crowd. All you can do is wait.

It could take a few more months.
 
If USAFA is truly his first choice, just hold on. The waiver process can be a lengthy one, but he is still in the running until he received a TWE (notification that he will not be receiving an appointment).
 
The request for a waiver depends on where he sits on his nomination slate. They will only start to request waivers for those who are sitting close to the top and have a good chance of gaining an appointment. Since the application window is just closing, things should start to start moving a bit faster.
 
You might find the DODMERB forum on this site helpful. Search for posts on tree nut allergies.

If USAFA is his first choice, why would he withdraw his application?
 
mintyicedtea said:
You might find the DODMERB forum on this site helpful. Search for posts on tree nut allergies.

If USAFA is his first choice, why would he withdraw his application?
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I think because there are other options that suit him just as well. I'd hate for this to drag out into April and he still doesn't know. He needs to let the other universities know if he is attending and pay the deposit by May 1st. For example, if USAFA doesn't get back to him until May 5th and he is indeed DQed, he has lost his spot at 5 other great places. He needs to have a Plan B. I will def look on the DODMERB forum and see what I can find. Thanks for the tip.
 
Some people, like us, put down a deposit as a backup. Some places will still refund should he receive an appointment. Some may not. But for us, the 300$ potential loss was worth the BIG package of an appointment (in our case, USNA appointment was received in December and we got our deposit back). Most people, even without any allergies or things that are possible DQ’s are in your same position. It’s prudent to have a backup plan b, c, d.....no matter what. And most of these amazing candidates have many offers.

Good luck!!
 
Long term thinking is key here. I would advise your son to select one college as a backup to USAFA and pay the deposit when it is due, usually May 1st. If he ultimately is offered admission to USAFA and has to forfeit the deposit, it is a small price to pay for the opportunity to attend USAFA. Some civilian colleges will even refund your deposit. If your DS is going to have a career in the Air Force, long term thinking will remain a key to his success. You will make yourself crazy if you cannot let go of the idea that you can control the timing of things like promotions and changes of duty station. You are in good company here as many posters are in situations similar to yours. I have been through this process with three of my kids, two of whom needed waivers. The waiting is hard, but worth it in the end. Good luck with your waiver.
 
CarolinaGirl said:
mintyicedtea said:
You might find the DODMERB forum on this site helpful. Search for posts on tree nut allergies.

If USAFA is his first choice, why would he withdraw his application?
Click to expand...

I think because there are other options that suit him just as well. I'd hate for this to drag out into April and he still doesn't know. He needs to let the other universities know if he is attending and pay the deposit by May 1st. For example, if USAFA doesn't get back to him until May 5th and he is indeed DQed, he has lost his spot at 5 other great places. He needs to have a Plan B. I will def look on the DODMERB forum and see what I can find. Thanks for the tip.
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We put a deposit down on plan b school and didn’t send the decline to admissions until I-day (were at usna). But a wise soul told us that my ds could break a leg walking to i day so lock in a plan b regardless. Also, this wait is awful so we are all sympathetic and you have found a great forum for support. We’ve all been there.

Best advice we ever received was to fall in love with your plan B because your plan B is better than many kids plan A.

What about Afrotc? Medical pending there also?

“Pending waiver submission/review” usually means the academy has not requested a waiver yet. Just keep an eye on the academy and DoDMERB portals.

Good luck! And don’t forget to enjoy every last minute with your kid. You’re gonna miss him like crazy next year no matter where he goes
 
California Girl -- our experience has been that USAFA (and have read the same of AFROTC) will not provided a medical waiver for an allergy to tree nuts unless you can demonstrate through an allergist supervised "nut challenge" that the allergy no longer exists

Our experience is that USMA and AROTC will provide a medical waiver for such an allergy but the granting of the waiver depends on the severity of the reaction and other factors.

I have read here on the forum that USNA and NROTC will also evaluate the severity of the allergic reaction.

We have been in your shoes . . . after you send 5 messages you can send me a Private Message if you wish.
 
CarolinaGirl said:
. I'd hate for this to drag out into April and he still doesn't know
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This is the case for almost all high school students: they have to wait wait wait.

Your impatience is not really helping your son, and there is no reason to deposit or absolutely select until the last minute.

If you desire to put down a deposit April 1st (or what ever PricyCollege's deadline is), here are two things you can do: ask admissions if you can indeed deposit but explain Lil Johnny is waiting to hear from a US Service academy. Sometimes, nicer, kinder colleges will allow you to place your deposit and secure a spot through the beginning of the school year. My son's PlanB allowed him to place the deposit and agreed, nay - OFFERED - to hold a spot for him until the following fall! His twin brother's Plan B kept his deposit and said see ya.

So, wait until all your info is in. Yes, it's a nervous time. Yes, you want that ball rolling NOW.
 
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