Reapplication Support :)

usna2026h

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Feb 14, 2022
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Hey everyone! I'm reapplying to the academy this year after getting my medical waiver denied after receiving on LOA. It was for sure a heartbreaking experience with a lot of emotions. I wrote a little thing for myself to process all the emotions and get motivated again in this new cycle of applications. I am certainly not the only one in this reapplication boat, so I just wanted to share. I hope this can help someone out there. :)

T-minus four days until Induction Day. With each scroll on the academy Instagram, USNA class of 2026 Facebook page, and service academy forums thread, I’m reminded of everything that could have been this year. I imagine myself, heart brimming with anticipation as I pack my bags and head off to Maryland. The school of my dreams, the gateway to my dream career. To be a part of the USNA class of 2026 was all I ever wanted and all I had ever worked for since I set foot on the deck of the USS Midway in second grade.
A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter in the mail addressed to my senior self from eighth grade me. Buried among the colorful ink of young optimism and inside jokes from my friends was the sentence: “I hope you got into USNA by now.” Upon reading that line I couldn’t help but stare blankly at that paper and beg my younger self for forgiveness. And so to that girl endlessly fascinated by the might of that carrier and that girl desperate to walk from her high school directly into the tall, mighty doors of the academy, I am so sorry. I am so sorry I failed you.
As I seal letters to Billy and Joe, who are off to start their journeys at USAFA and West Point, a complex rush of emotions flows through me. I think of the days Joe and I spent throughout our childhood manifesting our futures at academies to the day I got my letter of assurance, and Billy got his appointment. Together we have worked tirelessly to turn our dreams into reality. I am beyond proud and elated of what they have achieved, but, though it is hard to admit, a part of me holds anger, frustration, and perhaps a tinge of resentment. Not at them, but at the circumstances that left me going to a college, I dread twenty minutes from home.
In moments like these, life feels nothing but unfair. Nothing but cruel. The hurt that I felt upon receiving that waiver denial was more agonizing than any that I have ever come across. More than my first break up, more than failing to qualify for National History Day nations by one spot, and more than ending my high school track career with an injury. For weeks I found myself opening and refreshing my portal, hoping, praying that it was a mistake. But of course, each time I looked at the words “waiver denied,” I was forced to confront the reality before me. I was not going to the Naval Academy.
It has been a couple of months since the day my medical status on the DoDMERB portal changed, but at times I still find it difficult to let go. I tell myself to get excited about the new possibilities at UCI, but I still remain hesitant to look for scholarships and roommates. I remain hesitant to fully embrace my new reality.
For my whole life, I have been told that life is a mad rush from one point to another. I would go from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, from high school to the academy, and finally from the academy to a naval aviator. When we are young, we are often foolish and naive. Life seems terribly simple. As long as you put in the work, whatever it is that you worked for will fall into place. However, this year, I was brutally forced to learn that life is no straight path, It is a maze with a plethora of obstacles that we cannot control the existence of. And within this maze stands many crossroads where we do get to choose the direction of our journeys and how we confront those obstacles. It is not up to us to decide what life throws at us, but we have to power to choose to get up and try again. So when you find yourself lost and hurt by what seems cruel and unfair about life, I implore you to look deep inside yourself and re-evaluate why you wanted to reach that shining trophy in the center. And from there, find it inside yourself to pick yourself up again.
Though I still struggle to do so, I am trying my best to see this year at UCI as an opportunity to grow, not just as an athlete and a scholar, but also as a human being. I know there is much I have yet to learn about navigating this crazy maze that is life and those lessons will undoubtedly prepare me to be a better midshipman at the academy.
My journey to my childhood dream is not over. It didn’t end because someone across the country decided I was medically unfit this year, but instead it is alive and stronger than ever because I decided it would be. So here I find myself once again, opening a new application to the United States Naval Academy for a new year.
 
I beautiful work of literature I must say. Gods speed. :angel:
 
Kill it your freshman year. Good luck to you, and hope to see you on the DIY appointment list, as a “re-app” 💯
 
Has your medical issue that got you DQd the first time significantly improved so as to not be an issue this time around?
 
Has your medical issue that got you DQd the first time significantly improved so as to not be an issue this time around?
I was in contact with USNA during the whole process I tried to appeal the waiver decision last year and was told that the only reason it wasn't waiverable was the timing. They said it would be most likely waiverable in a year.
 
I was in contact with USNA during the whole process I tried to appeal the waiver decision last year and was told that the only reason it wasn't waiverable was the timing. They said it would be most likely waiverable in a year.
Interesting

Since the USNA is the one that does the waver I wonder why timing would be such an issue.

Good Luck
 
I was in contact with USNA during the whole process I tried to appeal the waiver decision last year and was told that the only reason it wasn't waiverable was the timing.
Keep in contact with Admissions.....keep them informed on status of your medical issue if it is something that is cured by time. They issued you an LOA, so there is something in your record they want, so keep your eyes on the goal. (Also, can't help to make sure MOC staff knows the story... )
 
"Most likely" isn't a certainty. Suggest you follow up with USNA on this point early in the process. It would be a shame to go through the whole process again and get snagged at the last minute on the same medical issue.
I am not doubting the OP but I wonder about what they have been told.

It just seems strange that a USNA official would tell an applicant—-we just did not have time to do an appeal—-followed by ——it will be most likely waverable in the future.

That seems odd to me.
 
I am not doubting the OP but I wonder about what they have been told.

It just seems strange that a USNA official would tell an applicant—-we just did not have time to do an appeal—-followed by ——it will be most likely waverable in the future.

That seems odd to me.
They told me that for my medical condition, the only thing that was stopping me from getting a waiver was that not enough time had passed since the condition was treated.
 
They told me that for my medical condition, the only thing that was stopping me from getting a waiver was that not enough time had passed since the condition was treated.
.
This makes sense now … like, if you broke your femur, and it wasn’t that bad of a break … you’re looking at 3 months minimum.

👌
 
They told me that for my medical condition, the only thing that was stopping me from getting a waiver was that not enough time had passed since the condition was treated.
Just curious, was it related to an immunotherapy treatment or something else? No details necessary, was just curious if it was allergy related.
 
Thanks to the OP for coming back and keeping us in the loop. We love to see a plan come together. Keep us posted. 🤞
 
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