Adderall for Focus

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kaivandie

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Hello,
My ultimate goal is acceptance into the Naval Academy, and I am doing all that I can I right now to become a qualified candidate. I am seventeen years old, and I am in good physical condition. I have been homeschooled/in private school my whole life, and I am now in the middle of my second semester at my local community college (health science track). Recently, to improve my grades/focus, I got an Adderall prescription. I am not ADD or ADHD, but my doctor gave me the medicine as mere "educational aid." Will this prescription keep me out of the academy? I am aware of the whole "being off medication for one year before" thing, but I am wondering if I am not diagnosed, will this still raise an issue?
My second question, application wise, should I finish my associate's degree before I apply (I would complete the degree after what would be my senior year)? I am aware that regardless I start at the same place as everyone else. I just want to know if it would be better for me to complete the degree then apply (after senior year), or not fully complete the degree and apply what would be my senior year. Which choice will solidify my application? Unlike a lot of other people, I haven't been preparing myself for a service academy since freshman year; which puts me behind. I am doing all that I can to become USNA worthy.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light or help. I appreciate it!
 
About the prescription medication: No one can tell you for sure except DoDMERB. Go through the entire process, don't lie about anything on the questionnaire, and see what happens.

For your second question: as long as you are putting yourself through rigorous courses (especially STEM courses) and doing well, that is fine. Don't worry about other people having "prepared since freshman year". I didn't start until start of my senior year, and I received an appointment. Everyone has his/her own path. Do your best in tough classes, get everything in before the deadline, and you are just as capable of receiving an appointment as someone who started "preparing" in middle school.
 
You should apply as soon as possible. If you don't get in, you could re-apply the next year if you so choose.

The medication may be an issue. Definitely listen to your doctor, but keep this in mind when deciding what you'll do.
 
A quote from the "Medical Considerations for Admissions" found here https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/MedicalAppendix1.pdf#search=appendix A states "Academic skills defects, such as learning disabilities or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are not disqualifying if academic success can be demonstrated without the use of classroom accommodations, and no medication has been used in the past 12 months, with good grades." So at a minimum you will need to be off meds for an entire year, with proven academic success.
 
DD had a Moron Doctor prescribe prescription during High School. DoDmerb turn down because she declared she had taken it for one month during Senior Year. Fight it and get second opinion. As I have said before the Director of DoDmerb called us and stated that they were there to get them in not keep them out.
 
Because they are young and the parents rely on the Doctor. Never heard of a drug as an "educational aide". Would have taken it if it was available in the 60s and 70s. Then again we had other things. He might be a moron but you need a second opinion.
 
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Agree with getting a 2nd opinion.

Try to find a physician with a military background. Many docs just don't understand the nuances and restrictions of DoDMERB.
 
Regardless of diagnosis or not, being on the meds will be an issue for DoDMERB. Research this site and the DoDMERB policy for guidance. The 12 month thing seems to be the key here. But before going off any meds, just like starting them, talk to a doc, get it documented.
 
VelveteenR said:
Adderall abuse is rampant in the U.S. education system:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/education/seeking-academic-edge-teenagers-abuse-stimulants.html

This has been going on for a long time. At our son’s high school, non-prescriptive use for academics is cause for immediate dismissal and doctors prescribing for non-medical reasons is considered malpractice. At best, OP is walking a fine line here but, as others say, DoDMERB will decide how the military looks at this.
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Yes I also had no idea how rampant Adderall use as a study aid was. When my DD was taking her ACT this year I overheard a student from another school outside talking to other students about the fact that he had bought Adderall over the internet and had distributed it to several kids at the ACT test site before the test. I had no idea this drug was used like that.
 
random_name said:
Yes I also had no idea how rampant Adderall use as a study aid was. When my DD was taking her ACT this year I overheard a student from another school outside talking to other students about the fact that he had bought Adderall over the internet and had distributed it to several kids at the ACT test site before the test. I had no idea this drug was used like that.
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It is also widely prescribed and (ab)used by people beyond college for all the reasons listed by @kaivandie .

My DS#1 was the posterboy for its use. Imagine President Trump as a 13 year old. We put our footdown and let it be known that there was no way DS would take anything without the unanimous consent of a psychologist, his pediatrician, his school principal, his hockey coach and his sunday school teacher. His teen years were torture and we felt lost at times. But, we also knew that he would have to learn on his own how to cope with the world and the people in it. Happy to say everything is okay 12 years later. He is 2 1/2 years into AD, thriving in an environment that brutally punishes the antics he displayed well into college.

Adderall for a standardized test is a sad comment on our society.
 
cb7893 said:
It is also widely prescribed and (ab)used by people beyond college for all the reasons listed by @kaivandie .

My DS#1 was the posterboy for its use. Imagine President Trump as a 13 year old. We put our footdown and let it be known that there was no way DS would take anything without the unanimous consent of a psychologist, his pediatrician, his school principal, his hockey coach and his sunday school teacher. His teen years were torture and we felt lost at times. But, we also knew that he would have to learn on his own how to cope with the world and the people in it. Happy to say everything is okay 12 years later. He is 2 1/2 years into AD, thriving in an environment that brutally punishes the antics he displayed well into college.

Adderall for a standardized test is a sad comment on our society.
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I agree 100%. It’s like prescribing steroids for someone’s brain. It’s a an issue. See the USNA thread on drug rings. There have been issues with ADHD drug rings in the past.
 
@kaivandie ,

I am not coming down on you. Why wouldn't you (any USNA Midi's) think of adderall as a safe and effective tool, like yoga or listening to soft music? Doctors actually prescribe it for the reasons you mentioned. That's what is so pathetic.

I get more angry just thinking about it.
 
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