Color Vision DQ: Reapplying

spencermc

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Feb 15, 2020
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Good evening everybody, I unfortunately received my TWE back in early march due to Color Vision Deficiency. While this is very heartbreaking, considering it's something you can't even control, I know that USNA can grant a max of 2% of the upcoming class a Color Vision Waiver (approximately 24 candidates) and they don't even have to use all of them.

I was wondering has anyone ever gotten the waiver? I heard that it was mainly reserved for athletes, but have also heard some have gotten it without being one.

USNA is my dream school, and I don't see myself anywhere else besides there. I am going to reapply again for the class of '25. I know my chances are less than 2%, but I am going to give it my all and do my best in order to be part of that 2%. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again" - Thomas H. Palmer
 
My son got the waiver - Class of 2023. There were 14 that year given. He is not an athlete.
He has a couple of friends in his class that got the waiver too. They aren’t athletes either.

Admissions told me at CVW to have my son reapply if he didn’t get the waiver. The waiver decision is year to year and can change. They said to go to college and take STEM classes.

Good luck.
 
CORRECT: " The waiver decision is year to year and can change. They said to go to college and take STEM classes. "

FACT: Color vision waivers for the Sea Services,: USNA; NROTC; USMMA; USCGA are very hard to get. Reapplication is certainly a possibility and can happen, but's like starting out with three strikes against you. Reality? Reapply, but have plenty of contingincy plans in the mix too. :wiggle:
 
Mr. Mullen is correct (and so is A1). Keep in mind that (if memory serves) A1's son had an LOA. Your chances are a lot better (but definitely not 100%) if you have an LOA or if you are a highly recruited varsity athlete in certain sports or if you are a principal nominee from an MOC. Even the foregoing may not be enough. I'm sure there are those who get waivers who don't fall into the above categories, but as Mr. Mullen says, it's very much an uphill battle, even if you are great candidate.

Since you're colorblind, you won't be able to go to sea even if you do get into USNA. So, if you're interested in ground or aviation, consider USMA or USAFA. If you want to be a Marine, consider another accession source, such as OCS. If you want to do a restricted line/staff corps job (intel, logistics, supply, maintenance, etc.), the Army, Air Force and Marines all have those options to varying degrees. The added benefit is they don't have the restrictions on color deficiency, so your chances of getting into those SAs are better.
 
Yes, my son had an LOA. He is doing the e trials and I asked him about his friends.

He doesn’t know if they have LOAs, they aren’t athletes, but really smart.
 
I unfortunately received my TWE back in early march due to Color Vision Deficiency.
I know my chances are less than 2%, but I am going to give it my all and do my best in order to be part of that 2%.

First, it is impossible to tell whether you got the TWE "because" of color deficiency. There are multiple factors that determine whether you get an Offer of Appointment, and color deficiency only makes an already competitive process more competitive. No one, except Admissions , knows whether you were competitive enough to even be considered for a waiver -- if you don't win your MOC slate or are not competitive for the National pool, then the issue of Color Deficiency is moot.

Second, the statement that you have only a 2% "chance" is incorrect. Having 2% of the class with waivers (and I am not sure that in itself is accurate) does not correlate to a 2% chance of Appointment. There are so many other variables that go into the Offer of Appointment. A "superstar" candidate may have a much better "chance" of Appointment, and a mediocre Candidate has much less.

I don't want to discourage OP - by all means, reapply -- 100% of those that don't try don't get in. That said, be realistic in expectations -- the purpose of the Naval Academy is to develop Line Officers. The Navy's options on how you serve are limited by color deficiency so Admissions must limit those accessions.
 
My son was also the lucky recipient of a colorblind waiver. He didn't have an LOA, isn't a varisty athlete, and he had to go through the Foundation program, but he made it. It's possible.
Then they really, really wanted him!
 
The USNA doesn't consider folks for medical waivers without an LOA...That is the trigger for medical waiver consideration :wiggle:
 
Implied therein, is his LOA may have been his selection for the Foundation:wiggle:
 
The USNA doesn't consider folks for medical waivers without an LOA...That is the trigger for medical waiver consideration :wiggle:

The word from USNA (direct from admissions but not published) is that a waiver will be considered "when a decision to make an offer is very likely". Not a guarantee, but a very positive sign. However, that doesn't always mean that a candidate will actually receive an LOA prior to the waiver.

I've seen cases where a waiver is granted 2 months before the application is complete, then followed by an appointment, with no LOA in between.
 
Agree with A6E . . . you do NOT need an LOA to be considered for a waiver. Lots of folks without LOAs needing a waiver get one. However, USNA must be very likely to admit you. Otherwise, it's a waste of resources.

That said, if you have an LOA, you will almost certainly be considered for a waiver. Doesn't mean you'll get one but it's more likely.

Also, this applies to USNA only. Other SAs may (or may not) take a different approach.
 
The word from USNA (direct from admissions but not published) is that a waiver will be considered "when a decision to make an offer is very likely". Not a guarantee, but a very positive sign. However, that doesn't always mean that a candidate will actually receive an LOA prior to the waiver.

I've seen cases where a waiver is granted 2 months before the application is complete, then followed by an appointment, with no LOA in between.

That is my understanding. I spent time at CVW talking about this. But we didn’t even know what an LOA was until my son received it several months after.

But I certainly don’t know anything from USNA end - only from my son’s letters - and appreciate all responses.
 
Thank you all very much for the replies! I'm gonna do my best and give it my all in order to get an appointment next time around (with backups in mind of course)
 
Yes, my son had an LOA. He is doing the e trials and I asked him about his friends.

He doesn’t know if they have LOAs, they aren’t athletes, but really smart.
If you don't mind me asking, what was your sons profile like when applying? (Leadership, CFA, Grades, Etc.)
 
If you don't mind me asking, what was your sons profile like when applying? (Leadership, CFA, Grades, Etc.)

When your private messages work ... send me a private message.

You wrote something on my profile ... that isn’t a private message.
 
OP, you may also want to talk to your Admissions director at USNA. Sometimes (not always), they will provide insight into how you can strengthen your application and MAY be able to provide some thoughts on whether it makes sense to reapply. No guarantees you'll get a direct answer, but it can't hurt to ask (and this is a pretty good time of year to do so since they're between cycles).
 
OP, you cannot compare your stats to anyone’s. You first compete at your skate level. All you can do is your best. There will be people who get on with stellar resumes. Others who have less that someone else’s, but they won their local slate. Comparing stats does absolutely nothing. At all. Means nothing.

Look up class profiles on USNA websites. That will give you a basic idea.

A1’s son was the best. You can search his name and see what he has posted about his sons stats before. You are new and cannot pm yet. But he has talked about his son, using the search function will help. My two Mids weren’t the valedictorian, but they are are at USNA. Interviews matter. The Whole person is considered. It’s more than stats.

Focus on yourself. With a vision DQ, it’s tougher but not impossible. Also the advice to consider other services is spot on.

You also are looked at slightly differently as a reapplicant. There is advice here also for reapp’s. Contacting admissions is also a good idea. Perhaps your BGO would have valuable input.

Luck to you!!
 
LOL my son was the best in his high school. Which is meaningless.

He is not better than 1100 now.
 
OP, please also consider why you want to attend USNA (vs. another SA). While I'm a huge fan of USNA (obviously), the non-sea-going SAs are also terrific. Your odds will be MUCH better at USMA or USAFA and you will have more career options upon graduation.

Of course, if your heart is set on USNA, I'm not going to dissuade you. Just consider that the better path for you might be attending a SA and commissioning into a service where color vision is not critical.
 
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