Reapplying to USNA (after a turndown)

Domer92 said:
That is helpful, CaptMJ. Do you think it would be prudent to email his admissions officer whether this is a condition that USNA deems waivable (or send an email directly to USNA medical)? Stated differently, if would be foolish to go through the whole process again, unless there is a possibility of a waiver being granted. Whether a particular condition can be waived by USNA seems like a question that could (and should) be answered.
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I am hopeful others with better knowledge may respond as to if and who may be asked about this. This is one of the parts of the process with which I have the least experience and direct knowledge. I am always reluctant to say "yes, contact this person" when I don't know if it is the appropriate person.
 
BGO's really aren't supposed to get into the medical waiver process, so I don't have any first hand knowledge, but it certainly coudn't hurt to contact Admissions and determine whether the Medical Condition was waived this year. If Medically disqualified, and not waiverable this year, it is unlikely that would change. (There are of course exceptions, and it might be worth consulting with the DODMERB consultant we see referred on here0). Similarly, if 3Q (which includes medical qualification), would suggest the condition was waived this year, so there is no reason it couldnt be waived next.
 
I would be very interested in some guidance on the waiver for a re-applicant as well. My DS was applied to USNA and USMA. He received a nomination to USMA, but was medically DQd. West Point sought a waiver, but was denied. USNA was always his first choice. He met with a USNA rep recently, and has been encouraged to reapply. According to the rep, he was in their pile to request a waiver. But when a nomination wasn't received, his file was shelved. He never did receive a TWE. During the recent meeting, my DS was left with the impression that the USNA seems to think they can get a waiver for him. Is this the best assurance he can get before going through the entire process again? His plan B is a rigorous 4 year college, where he is playing football. Going through the application process again will be very challenging. I am only concerned with having his focus split, and possibly detracting from his performance in coursework and football.
 
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@MissouriFam - Is your DS also doing NROTC while playing football? Is the USNA rep from admissions or is it a BGO? Is this USNA rep recruiting him for football?
 
AROTC-dad said:
Is the USNA rep from admissions or is it a BGO? Is this USNA rep recruiting him for football?
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Sounds like a USNA rep recruiting for football. BGO's wouldn't have the information about the waiver, and doubt the Admissions department would be pushing a reapplication without a nomination the year before.

MissouriFam said:
Going through the application process again will be very challenging. I am only concerned with having his focus split, and possibly detracting from his performance in coursework and football
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Sure its a "challenge" , and there are no guarantees. Only DS can answer the question where his priorities lie.
 
USNA only pursues waivers for folks who are extremely likely (or certain) to be offered an appointment. Because your DS wasn't in that group, it's really hard to say what would have happened.

As with any reapplicant, if he still has a passion to attend USNA, he should go for it. If he does not for any reason (loves his school, doesn't want to go through the hassle of applying again, etc.), then he should be content where he is and get on with his life.

Medical waivers depend on many variables (as discussed in other threads). The bottom line is that, if the candidate isn't sufficiently competitive to get to the waiver decision, it's all a moot point. The one thing you can do is have your DS contact the USNA Admissions medical folks and determine if the condition is generally waiverable. That does NOT mean your DS will get a waiver but suggests that, if his record is sufficiently competitive, he at least has a chance.
 
I'm grateful for the information provided, however, I am curious.... do many reapplicants apply from another state because of a family move? Is it more of a challenge to get a nomination from a new state? He had a nomination from the MOC in Florida. We have moved to Maryland and are continually told by Blue and Gold Officers and others familiar with the nomination process that my DS doesn't stand a chance because Maryland is so competitive. I'm really shocked that so many actually discourage his reapplication. As I parent I support his reapplication as this is his dream. Is it truly the case that he doesn't stand a chance as a re applicant from Maryland?
 
Graceful said:
. Is it truly the case that he doesn't stand a chance as a re applicant from Maryland?
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The only people that don't stand a chance are those that don't try. True, Maryland is pretty competitive --a lot of people applying. OF course, depending on where you are in Florida, there are alot of candidates there too. I've never dealt with someone moving during the application process, but I am sure it happens from time. A couple thoughts:

What is DS doing this year ? If attending School in Florida, can he keep that as his residence and apply from Florida ? Is he doing NROTC, that would give another nomination source and way around the Maryland MOC nomination (although he should apply to all Nomination sources he is eligible for).

Finally, don't listen what everybody says ...make the effort. If you have a BGO who is discouraging DS from applying, ask for a new BGO. (On the other hand, if BGO is just telling him that its a tough road, that's reality).

Good luck !
 
What is DS doing this year ?
He's attending GWU, Mom moved to MD and Dad moved to GA
And No he didn't get NROTC however he plans to make an effort to meet and do what he can do to engage with the unit at GWU

He's making the effort and seems unfazed by what others say. He learned his lesson last year after his USNA turndown and now has plan A, B & C in place.

Thanks for encouragement!
 
Apply if he wants to attend USNA. Sure it's competitive but a resume with knocking it out of the park at GWU and NROTC will definitely hold weight! As you said he learned his lesson and has lots of plans in place, if USNA is his goal, then absolutely apply!
 
Are College Board scores (ACT/SAT) transferred over for re-applicants, or do we have to resubmit (and re-pay) the scores?
 
AROTC-dad said:
@MissouriFam - Is your DS also doing NROTC while playing football? Is the USNA rep from admissions or is it a BGO? Is this USNA rep recruiting him for football?
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My DS in playing football, and chose not to pursue NROTC. He is passionate about USNA, but they have not been recruiting him for football. Now that he is playing DI FCS football that may change. He is willing to give up football to attend USNA. At the advice of the USNA Admissions Counselor, he changed his course load for his freshman year to increase his chances. He is now back in the middle of the nomination process. His original DQ was for history of childhood asthma. He has no issues now, and hasn't had any meds for years. A doctor familiar with this whole process indicated that if he doesn't get in now, he may have a good chance enlisting after graduation and applying to OCS. Thank you all for your input.
 
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The purpose of the 'sticky' section is to provide general information to everyone. It is better to start a new thread in the discussion area if you want to ask specific questions.
 
Needing a medical waiver CAN make it less likely. The reason is that ~90% of the class must commission in the unrestricted line. Thus, USNA must bring in sufficient numbers of people who are fully medically qualified to achieve that goal on graduation, knowing that some mids will become medically DQ during their 4 yrs. Thus, it depends on what you need a waiver for and how that medical condition limits you on graduation. The above said, if USNA really wants you, almost any medical issue CAN be waived -- some are more or less likely to be for the reasons discussed above.
 
What is the required response to the question on the Personal Data Record about being rejected for military service. USMA sought a waiver for my DS last year and it was denied. Does he need to disclose that on the USNA Personal Data Record on his application?

USNA sought a waiver as well last year but did not follow through, as he was only nominated to USMA. This year he is only applying to USNA, although our congressional office thinks that maybe USMA would grant the waiver this year. Not sure how this would work, as nothing has changed.
 
usna1985 said:
In terms of teacher recs, USNA prefers recommendations from your college profs. However, if you’re in a huge lecture class (>100 students) where the prof doesn't know his/her students, USNA will accept recommendations from your senior year h.s. English and math teachers. If you have small sections in college, you should use your college prof.
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USNA website states :
  • If you are a re-applicant and you used your junior year teacher last year, you may use either your senior year teacher or your college professor.
Is it confirmed that USNA prefers letters from college professors? Seems that a HS teacher has a much broader view of the candidate, while a college prof only sees the student a few times a week for a few months, and would have practically zero observation of the student outside that specific class (vs. an entire senior year, every day, and observation of other leadership in school etc for HS teacher).

What if the senior year teacher is the same person as the junior year teacher, but obviously a different class and different year. Would it be ok to have that same teacher write a new letter?

Last, for re-applicants, is the previous year's package available to the admissions board? Ie. are the previous years letters of recommendation looked at and compared to the new ones?

thanks
 
If the re-applicant is nominated through their NROTC unit, I know they still should request all possible nominati0ns, but if the congressional noms don't come through, is the NROTC nomination sufficient?
 
NROTC nomination is sufficient to get an appointment just like any other nomination, but there are only 20 or so slots available and many more noms that that. Each unit can nominate 3 candidates and I think there are something like 63 units. So up to 189 nominations competing for 20 slots. Also, I believe those 20 appointments are also available to JROTC candidates (no idea how many of them there are), so the competition for them is even greater.
update - per the 2021 class portrait, there were 183 nominations from NROTC/JNROTC
 
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