LOA

I have a question....she also has a 2nd DoDMERB remedial that arrived the same day. Does the LOA have any impact on DoDMERB decisions, or does it remain entirely independent as is the case with the early part of the app process?
For the medical application process, see http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/medical-evaluation/ .

Since you have a LOA, that means that the school said "it's worth investing time and energy" for the waiver process. DoDMERB will ask each Academy if you are worth spending the time and energy even with a LOA. If your DD or DS is borderline, each Academy may not request more information and that is the harsh reality. So in our case, both West Point (LOA) and USAFA (no LOA) said they were interested in him. If DoDMERB still flags the condition, then the Academy's head doctor has the right to offer a waiver. In other words, DoDMERB is out of the decision picture and the final decision is decided on each branch via their own medical waiver process. If one Academy says yes and grants a waiver and the other says no, that is the final decision for each Academy. You still need the nomination and the final nod by admissions. With the Air Force, you have one shot once DoDMERB is out of the picture. With the USMA, you can re-send new evidence throughout the process. But DodMERB is always the clearing house of information even when they are no longer the deciding factor.

Involvement matters. I am convinced my DS is at the USAFA because we were very much involved. In our case, we logged well over a 100 hours. It might have been a couple hundred hours.:redface: We talked with everybody we could to understand what their concerns were and later visited local experts (the Mayo) to support our case. My DS wrote polished letters to support why the diagnosis was incorrect (and it was). We pushed to get into follow-up appointments fast, we talked with our internal contacts at the Academies, talked with DoDMERB etc. It was explained that there was a large stack of waivers on their desk and that it was refreshing to know that the someone cared enough to call and follow-up. So we hopped to the front of the line. Put yourself in their shoes, would you be anxious with a sense of urgency to push paper to grant a waiver if someone didn't follow-up? You might wonder if your effort was for nothing because the student is planning on another path/school. So if you are following along, my DS's waiver was granted/helped because about everybody in the process knew who he was. Of course the waiver was granted because it should have been but involvement helped prevent mistakes. Furthermore, time may be your biggest problem. Get involved if your DD wants it bad. :)

Also, just curious....the unanticipated LOA and positive momentum suddenly has her realizing this could happen. She went into the process thinking long shot, but now that things are looking much better, she is getting really nervous about the reality and significance of the whole thing. Is this a reaction others have seen? THanks for any insights.

Of course! :) Not only should it be common that your daughter is experiencing "buyers remorse" you as parents may feel the same. We are not a military family so all of this was foreign to us. It is smart to visit the school again, have your DD network and talk with other cadets or former graduates and read and learn everything that you can. My DS reached out to over 10 current and former cadets. After all, he was going to the Air Force and he didn't think he wanted to fly!

We as parents attended a couple of MN Parents Group meetings many months in advance. That is where we got names for him to talk to other Cadets. Those contacts helped confirm that it was the right decision and those conversations helped shape why he chose the USAFA over the West Point. We as parents came on board because we understood what it meant to go to the USAFA. I know your area has a parents group. Lean on them even before you know what you want to do.

We just visited my DS this Monday while passing though Colorado. He is flourishing in this environment. He positively loves the place. But he did his do diligence. Your daughter needs to dig deeper and learn more about the USAFA or "buyers remorse" is expected.

I hope this helps!
 
Thanks much

Incredible similarities. Perhaps it was my daughter's pursuit of Plan B that is leading to the ambivalence as she attacked it with gusto. And she too was at NASS in June....and her exact quote when we picked her up was "I was born for this." Go figure.

As for the remedial, she's scheduling that now but nothing is on the books (other than her 3 nomination interviews in the coming weeks.)

At this point we're doing everything to let her know she'll be successful no matter what she, DoDMERB, or the congressman/senators decide. What a ride.

Keep me posted and all the best to your son and thanks for your perspective. It is greatly appreciated.
 
To MN Dad

Can't thank you enough. With the entire process I've done all I can to stay out of it. The DoDMERB engagement is a great, common sense idea, especially since I am in the healthcare field. She has not been DQ'd. All that came back was a request for her to see a "NEW" ENT to validate that a couple sinus surgeries she had as a kid worked. Based on your insights, I am thinking it may be useful to call DoDMERB in advance of any appt to ensure they are getting everything they need to make a decision. My alternative would be to follow the simple instructions provided and engage should it be bad news. I like your idea better!!


Finally, you're description of buyer's remorse is spot on. She has several contacts she can engage, especially since she made friends at NASS in June who are at USNA now. I am so glad things worked out for your son and that he's thriving. CONGRATS and thank you to him for his service.
 
Loa for DS

My son just received his LOA also. Senator's office also sent message that they had received it. A few steps in the right direction. Still more to do - interviews.
 
My son just received his LOA also. Senator's office also sent message that they had received it. A few steps in the right direction. Still more to do - interviews.

Ah, the joys of the rollercoaster. Congrats! :jump1::jump1::jump1:
 
For those that received LOAs, what does your status say in the portal?

Thanks!
bandad
 
HI
DS admission web site showed LOA as of yesterday. Interview set for Wednesday.
Regards
John
 
My apologies. I was referring to the USNA portal. We looked there tonight. If I am incorrect, can you guide me where to find the "appointment status" on the USNA portal? I don't see it anywhere. Thanks.
 
My apologies. I was referring to the USNA portal. We looked there tonight. If I am incorrect, can you guide me where to find the "appointment status" on the USNA portal? I don't see it anywhere. Thanks.
Pretty sure the USNA portal does not reflect the LOA.
 
MN Dad....so much for the buyer's remorse. This week the letters arrived....as soon as my DD had visual on the medical QUALIFIED from DoDMERB and the actual nomination letter in hand, she scoffed at the idea of attending anywhere but NAVY. I guess she had to see it to believe it, and played it conservatively just in case.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
 
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