So after having Complete Pending Review status since October, and 3 nominations since early December, I logged onto my USNA portal today to the nice surprise of an LOA! With that being said, last week I was notified of a medical DQ. My status in DODMERB is currently "Under Waiver Review." I am posting to see if anyone has had a similar situation and to inquire if the medical DQ and receiving an LOA could be somehow connected. Any input is appreciated.
Looking for Insight on LOA/Medical DQ situation.
- Thread starter Alldogsgo
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Parallel processes. USNA has essentially said we have a seat for you if you are/become fully qualified with a nom. LOAs are used as class-building tools anytime during the cycle, with or without conditions.
Does your LOA have conditions you must meet? Such as clearing or getting the med DQ waived? Admissions internal teams are always sharing information, and I am sure the CRM database shows statuses, action, pending issues, decisions, etc.
Just wait some more and keep an eye out for any requests for AMI.
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Thank you for the insight.
There are no conditions. Just the words "USNA - Conditional Offer (LOA)" with no letter or hyperlink.
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Ah. It is a conditional offer. It becomes a full offer when the candidate is fully qualified - meaning there is a condition(s) yet to be met.
So there is a difference between LOA and a Conditional Offer? Why would it not list the conditions I need to meet or send me an email? I have read about the LOA serving as a placeholder for an appointment, but I don't think that could apply to me given the "x" by Medical Exam and news of DQ just a week ago.
An LOA/conditional offer is the same thing. I was in basically the same situation as you - on CPR for a while, and then boom, LOA appeared same day as nom. At that point in my process, however, I had been medically DQ’d and under waiver review for 2 months. At around the 3 month mark since my medical DQ, I received a waiver, the condition of my LOA. As you can imagine, I accepted my appointment later on. In my case, hopefully in your case, and I’d assume in most other cases (but not all), this LOA is very good news for someone who just has to be medically qualified. The LOA at this point could show intent or increased likeliness of a waiver. This isn’t a fact though and it is up to admissions at the end of the day, so best of luck!
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Don’t get too wrapped up in the nuances of the language. We have seen variations on it over the years. They can’t offer you an “unconditional” appointment until they know you are fully qualified. Fully qualified is 3 things: physical/CFA, medical/DoDMERB, academic/all the other stuff they evaluate. I think it’s safe to assume your academic/all other stuff is good, or you wouldn’t have received this. I assume you have a check next to your CFA. If they don’t have final resolution or status on your medical, that’s the “conditional” part. Once you have met all the qualification hurdles and have a nom checked off, you are in excellent position.
You see what gets updated on the candidate-facing portal. You don’t see everything they do.
Breathe. Step by step.
Capt MJ, thank you for the advice and kind words. It's hard accepting my part is done, and sitting and waiting is what I need to do now. Thank you for all you do on here, helping students like me. We all appreciate you.
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You are most welcome. Work on living in the moment, and fingers crossed we’ll see your screen name pop up on the appointment list.
IronmanDaremo
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If you have an LOA with no conditions communicated, then it is more than likely just a placeholder until your appointment is communicated through the chain. This happened to most candidates in last year's cycle. Typically, within 3 or 4 days after seeing that show up, they got their appointment.
If I were a betting man, I would be willing to say, "Congrats on your appointment!!"
If I were a betting man, I would be willing to say, "Congrats on your appointment!!"
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While I agree with the place holder comment, I’m not sure this is the case for OP. If you re-read their post, they are currently under waiver review. Unless I’m misunderstanding their post.
Thread 'Looking for Insight on LOA/Medical DQ situation.'
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...or-insight-on-loa-medical-dq-situation.89215/
Either way, OP, be patient and let the process play out. Fingers crossed
!
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usna1985
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Here's what MAY be happening . . . there are really two types of medical waivers: those for conditions that allow unlimited service and those (such as colorblindness) that restrict mids from commissioning in certain communities. Finally, there are some conditions that won't be waived at all because they preclude any service.
USNA's primary purpose is to commission unrestricted line officers. They know that some mids will become DQ for various reasons during their time at USNA. Thus, they have to limit the number of incoming mids who have DQs so that they can meet their URL quota.
Thus, depending on the OP's medical issue (NO NEED to post it here!!!), USNA is probably sorting out: (1) is the condition waiverable? Some conditions, upon review, just aren't waiverable. If not, the waiver will be denied and will result in a turndown. (2) If the condition is waiverable, does it allow full service upon graduation? If so, they are almost certain to grant the waiver and this will result in an appointment. (3) If the condition is waiverable AND limits the communities into which you can commission, how does this impact the overall composition of the incoming class in terms of meeting URL quotas?
The fact you have an LOA makes it more likely that, if you're in group 3 above, you'll receive a waiver. But medical issues are always individual, so you just have to remain patient and let things work themselves out.
USNA's primary purpose is to commission unrestricted line officers. They know that some mids will become DQ for various reasons during their time at USNA. Thus, they have to limit the number of incoming mids who have DQs so that they can meet their URL quota.
Thus, depending on the OP's medical issue (NO NEED to post it here!!!), USNA is probably sorting out: (1) is the condition waiverable? Some conditions, upon review, just aren't waiverable. If not, the waiver will be denied and will result in a turndown. (2) If the condition is waiverable, does it allow full service upon graduation? If so, they are almost certain to grant the waiver and this will result in an appointment. (3) If the condition is waiverable AND limits the communities into which you can commission, how does this impact the overall composition of the incoming class in terms of meeting URL quotas?
The fact you have an LOA makes it more likely that, if you're in group 3 above, you'll receive a waiver. But medical issues are always individual, so you just have to remain patient and let things work themselves out.
IronmanDaremo
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Copy all that.
The only reason I put that out there is that there was not a letter with any conditions to meet. A "true" LOA includes that (based on my kid's and other's experience). If there are no conditions, it looks more like a placeholder.
And for the record, I think my kid's DoDMERB still says "Pending Waiver Review."
The only reason I put that out there is that there was not a letter with any conditions to meet. A "true" LOA includes that (based on my kid's and other's experience). If there are no conditions, it looks more like a placeholder.
And for the record, I think my kid's DoDMERB still says "Pending Waiver Review."
usna1985
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^^^^
Fair point and USNA has been doing this lately. But the OP is medically DQ and needs a waiver. Thus, that LOA most likely means that, if medical clears, an appointment is on the way (assuming all other conditions met, including nom).
For the OP, if you have questions, contact Admissions to get clarify. We can only try to read the tea leaves whereas there is an official source.
Fair point and USNA has been doing this lately. But the OP is medically DQ and needs a waiver. Thus, that LOA most likely means that, if medical clears, an appointment is on the way (assuming all other conditions met, including nom).
For the OP, if you have questions, contact Admissions to get clarify. We can only try to read the tea leaves whereas there is an official source.
Thank you everyone for your insight. I received an email today basically confirming it was an LOA and if there is anything marked with an “x” in the CIS, those are the conditions of the appointment. So for me, just the medical situation. Looks like I found the answer to my question. Fingers crossed on the medical waiver process. Thank you everyone.
Herman_Snerd
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@Alldogsgo - some great posts above. If my young adult child were in the situation the you described, I would seek as much information on the exact medical reason that yielded a DQ, and confirm the standards - exact measurement or range against where you landed, and confirm what possibly could be done as far as sending in additional medical information. Research what's happened in the past for similar waiver requests to get a baseline for other candidates * though understand these waivers are case specific. Would additional documentation by an expert/ additional tests confirm there is no issue?
As others noted there are some DQs that are overturned fully *in some cases, some branch SAs (precedence) or maybe ROTC may allow restricted line commissions, and others present a very steep hill to climb to get a waiver. Just understand the hill you're climbing and do what you can to support the best outcome. You should know and in the mean time line up plans B, C, D just in case the SA path doesn't work out.
Good luck to you, congrats on the conditional LOA, and thank you for your willingness to serve. Hopefully in a few years you'll be shoulder to shoulder serving with my DS and others.
As others noted there are some DQs that are overturned fully *in some cases, some branch SAs (precedence) or maybe ROTC may allow restricted line commissions, and others present a very steep hill to climb to get a waiver. Just understand the hill you're climbing and do what you can to support the best outcome. You should know and in the mean time line up plans B, C, D just in case the SA path doesn't work out.
Good luck to you, congrats on the conditional LOA, and thank you for your willingness to serve. Hopefully in a few years you'll be shoulder to shoulder serving with my DS and others.
Jackmaster66
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DS is in the same position. Surgery last April is the DQ reason and he knew that when applying. He controlled his controllables - rehab, academics, interview prep, consistent contact with those involved, etc. Now he waits... and continues to control what he can control.
picklerick
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May I ask how you overturned?