As both responses you have received prior to mine are from some of the best, most knowledgeable, and experienced minds around I can only provide mine and my son’s personal observations with USMA waiver process - and, as Mr. Mullen has pointed out… You are not there yet! But, don’t worry about the waiver process yet. If you are a competitive candidate your Regional Admissions Commander can request a waiver for you. The waiver process (if you do need one) can be long and frustrating by the wait. Just by requesting the waiver they are telling you, “we really want you here.” West Point works a little differently on waivers that other service academies. At West Point your waiver (and medical file) are reviewed by doctors at Keller Army Hospital then if “medically” they recommend that the waiver be granted it will come back to admissions for a Board to then review it again and an Admissions Board (made up of several Academy representatives like the Master of the Sword) will again review the waiver for a final “grant “or “Not grant” decision. After the whole process is complete you will be advised of the decision.
My son had a previous head injury with concussion a few years prior. Both USMMA and USNA were very quick to grant his waivers (just a couple weeks after the waiver was initiated) West Point took over sixty days for the medical review and then several other weeks for it to come back to the admissions waiver board for a final review and “GRANT.” The hardest thing was the wait, and although we had high hopes you never know till it is done. I will say that if you think there could be medical questions about certain conditions begin to gather documents and medical records now to have them if you need them. Much of the delay can be time needed to obtain records or doctor’s statements about the condition(s.) But again, don’t cross that bridge before you get to it. Larry and the other workers at DODMERB are there to assist and they really do want to get everyone who is medically qualified through the process - and know much more that me! I can only say that, for my son, the wait was worth it and despite the lack of sleep, long hours of study, and lack of much free time - he would not choose any other place to be in the world! He loves West Point!
