USMA letter DQ final w/o waiver?

THmom

THmom

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DS received letter today on portal from the Director of Admissions (below). His DQ is final with no possibility of a waiver UNLESS he wins a slot? Prep school...but “solid achievement” and character? He has one of the physical conditions listed on the non-waiverable list. It’s a long shot for the waiver request to go in, it appears, but do you think if he wins an AROTC scholarship that they’d request one, even with the condition on non-waiverable list?

“A review of your record indicates you do not meet the medical standards for appointment to West Point at this time. I regret to inform you that your medical disqualification is final and your file has been closed. At a later date, if it appears that you will win a vacancy to West Point or one of our preparatory programs, we will automatically reopen your file and consider you for a waiver.

I realize that news of this nature is very distressing. Your record of solid achievement and character makes it clear that you will overcome this setback and enjoy great success in whatever you choose to do.

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact your Regional Commander. Your interest in the United States Military Academy and a career in the United States Army is very much appreciated. You have my best wishes for success in all your future endeavors.”
 
THmom said:
DS received letter today on portal from the Director of Admissions (below). His DQ is final with no possibility of a waiver UNLESS he wins a slot? Prep school...but “solid achievement” and character? He has one of the physical conditions listed on the non-waiverable list. It’s a long shot for the waiver request to go in, it appears, but do you think if he wins an AROTC scholarship that they’d request one, even with the condition on non-waiverable list?

“A review of your record indicates you do not meet the medical standards for appointment to West Point at this time. I regret to inform you that your medical disqualification is final and your file has been closed. At a later date, if it appears that you will win a vacancy to West Point or one of our preparatory programs, we will automatically reopen your file and consider you for a waiver.

I realize that news of this nature is very distressing. Your record of solid achievement and character makes it clear that you will overcome this setback and enjoy great success in whatever you choose to do.

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact your Regional Commander. Your interest in the United States Military Academy and a career in the United States Army is very much appreciated. You have my best wishes for success in all your future endeavors.”
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Yes. If your DS is an AROTC scholarship winner, Cadet Command will review his DODMERB exam and all pertinent medical records submitted to determine go/no-go for a waiver. As stated earlier, the waiver reviewers and waiver authorities for AROTC and USMA are different so your DS may get a different outcome.
 
GoCubbies said:
Yes. If your DS is an AROTC scholarship winner, Cadet Command will review his DODMERB exam and all pertinent medical records submitted to determine go/no-go for a waiver. As stated earlier, the waiver reviewers and waiver authorities for AROTC and USMA are different so your DS may get a different outcome.
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Got it. I hadn’t realized that prior to sending to WA, there would be a pre-screen of DQ to decide whether to forward on. At issue is he doesn’t have one of the two codes used. Mr. Mullen said they had to use the code related condition, since there wasn’t a code for his procedure (very new). Do you think this pre-screen opened his file to read closer, or did they just read the two codes and say, no?
 
He initially received a letter indicating that his regional commander requested a waiver for his medical condition.

A few months later he received a letter denying his waiver request.
 
I received a letter like this from all 5 schools but ended up with a waiver and 2 appointments. To some extent, this can be an automated response from the SA to the candidate triggered by a DODMERB DQ. This should be a serious sign to the candidate that they need to double down on Plans B, C, and D. Before instilling any false hope in the candidate, it is important to understand the cause of the DQ and whether or not it is waiverable. Some things flat out are not waiverable. That being said, this may not necessarily represent the end of the journey.
 
Even is your son has one of the conditions on the "non waiverable list" for this year, does not necessarily mean it will be on the list next year. If he can get into AROTC with a waiver this year, he may be eligible for a waiver at USMA next year, or can just complete AROTC...same Commission, same jobs. But as said above Plan on moving onto Plan B,C, or D, don't get caught without a viable civilian option. There is always OCS or Direct Commission after graduation to shoot for.
 
Waytogo said:
What was the D code?
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Well, the D code is for spinal fusion, WHICH HE DOES NOT HAVE. Fusion means two or more vertebral bodies cannot move Independently. He is NOT fused anywhere. But, Mr. Mullen said they had to use this code since they don’t have a code for what he DOES have, saying they’ll see the fine details if a waiver is requested.

As far as plans B-Z, he’s on it. Has applied RD and EA to two schools, got a pre-read for merit aid at his first choice, which came back doable. And yes, we have considered all the ways this that this is NOT the end of the journey, ie he’s applied for ROTC, has OTS (like his dad did) option, etc. Time will tell how this plays out...

That said, it appears the new regs for non-waiverables is really squishy for USAF....I’m hoping they open his DODMERB file to see what he has and ont jusdge a code by its cover. ;)
 
shiner said:
I received a letter like this from all 5 schools but ended up with a waiver and 2 appointments. To some extent, this can be an automated response from the SA to the candidate triggered by a DODMERB DQ. This should be a serious sign to the candidate that they need to double down on Plans B, C, and D. Before instilling any false hope in the candidate, it is important to understand the cause of the DQ and whether or not it is waiverable. Some things flat out are not waiverable. That being said, this may not necessarily represent the end of the journey.
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Did you get the letter before or after a nom came in to USAFA...if you received a waiver for USAFA that is. DS has JROTC nom that came in last Friday. ALO says file is very competitive. Will they request waiver or will DS need to win a MOC slot first?
 
In my personal case, the NOM came second. If the SA wants the candidate, they will find a path to a NOM - even if that is after the typical MOC nom cycle. At some point in the game, they cast everything aside and go for the most qualified candidate and work backwards from there. I received a Senatorial NOM ~2 weeks before report date to USAFA and it was months after getting the waiver which was requested/granted by USMMA.... so again, the SA will help find the path should a qualified candidate find themselves in this situation.

Congrats on the JROTC NOM! A nom is a nom. It meets the requirement. The SA is the waiver authority, DODMERB just identifies compliance to the regulation and it is up to each school to dig deeper and grant the waiver.

My own DS received his DODMERB DQ last week, and now the waiver process begins for him. Luckily, we know that a DQ is serious business - but at the end of the day, depending on the ailment code and history, most conditions have a path to a waiver for competitive candidates. I consider it an obstacle that should be respected, but is not always a game ender. In speaking with DODMERB last week, some conditions that were once auto-dq with no waiver like peanut allergies are now considered waiverable. There is an element of the candidate being proactive with their admissions officer and dodmerb, an element of waiting for the admissions board to initiate the waiver inquiry, and an element of seeing how the candidate stacks up against others in this year's applicant pool.
 
My son got the same "DQ is final" letter today dated 11/8 from USMA. Strange because of the timing compared to his initial DQ and the RC commitment that he would definitely request a waiver. I am not sure if there was even time to do the waiver/review the complete medical records requested by USAFA before this letter was dated. Or any additional eye tests (such as USAFA requested and are being done tomorrow). And DODMERB as of tonight says he has no record that USMA has made a final decision. Would it really take from the 11/8 final DQ letter to now to still not have it in DODMERB system?

Please note my son's condition is not on the non-waiverable list.

Anyway, this is certainly a stressful process. @THmom do you have any additional update on this topic for USMA or other academies?
 
williamsdr3 said:
My son got the same "DQ is final" letter today dated 11/8 from USMA. Strange because of the timing compared to his initial DQ and the RC commitment that he would definitely request a waiver. I am not sure if there was even time to do the waiver/review the complete medical records requested by USAFA before this letter was dated. Or any additional eye tests (such as USAFA requested and are being done tomorrow). And DODMERB as of tonight says he has no record that USMA has made a final decision. Would it really take from the 11/8 final DQ letter to now to still not have it in DODMERB system?

Please note my son's condition is not on the non-waiverable list.

Anyway, this is certainly a stressful process. @THmom do you have any additional update on this topic for USMA or other academies?
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Well, I’m frankly still perplexed by the whole thing. DoDMERB USMA status changed to “Withdrawn” whereas USAFA and USCGA still show Under Waiver Review. It took a few days/week for the DoDMERB status to change. Sorry to not remember how long. Which region are you in? Maybe our RC is a stickler this year? Did your DS write to FRR/RC to ask why was waiver not requested? When asked by my DS, they said test scores were at risk. Realizing they’re not the best, I still don’t think a 630 in both math and English (1260 superscore) is at risk. DS has written to USAFA admissions and to Mr. Mullen to try to emphasize that he DOES NOT have fusion, but the code remains, since they don’t have a code for what he has. Mr. Mullen has assured him that the Academies will see the details if he’s competitive, stating it wasn’t the DQ that closed his USMA file, but rather his SAT score. But he continues to retake and improve, so I guess we cross our fingers for the MOC interviews next weekend. That said, my overarching belief is that he’ll end up where he’s supposed to, Plan A or Z.
 
@THmom We are in SW region, but my son was told that a waiver would definitely be requested for him. I just am not sure if a waiver review was even done due to the timing of some things. Son has written RC and we will see if this is really the end of the game for USMA or not.
 
williamsdr3 said:
My son got the same "DQ is final" letter today dated 11/8 from USMA. Strange because of the timing compared to his initial DQ and the RC commitment that he would definitely request a waiver. I am not sure if there was even time to do the waiver/review the complete medical records requested by USAFA before this letter was dated. Or any additional eye tests (such as USAFA requested and are being done tomorrow). And DODMERB as of tonight says he has no record that USMA has made a final decision. Would it really take from the 11/8 final DQ letter to now to still not have it in DODMERB system?

Please note my son's condition is not on the non-waiverable list.

Anyway, this is certainly a stressful process. @THmom do you have any additional update on this topic for USMA or other academies?
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I'd continue providing whatever material was requested. Perhaps there is a screw-up that will clear up or the new material will force a reevaluation.

It's sort of like the Cuban missile crisis. Kennedy had 2 letters from Kruschev - one negative, earlier, and one positive, later. They just ignored the first message and proceeded with the second, resulting in a successful resolution of the crisis. In this case you're going to ignore the second, or pretend you didn't receive it until too late, whatever.
 
Update: Son talked to Admissions who said they submitted a waiver but "it didn't go anywhere." It is unclear if the waiver was actually reviewed or not. He has an LOE. No request for full medical records, no additional eye exams, condition not on the cannot-be-waived list. Something isn't adding up here given the WP chief of that medical department had said a very complete exam would definitely be needed to review the waiver.

When asked, they recommended he move USMA down from 1st preference for his nominations down to 3rd and said they might re-open his medical DQ if he gets the principal nomination. However the chance of getting the principal nom on a 3rd choice request is almost nil. He will be lucky to get a nom to one academy or at most two.

So I would call this kind of a final DQ but it doesn't look good. Now struggling to revise his academy nomination preferences by Friday deadline for MOC interview with an eye to who is most likely to grant the waiver? We thought it would be WP if it happened.
 
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