A brutal story on applying to the Academies

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I thought I would post my story about applying to the academies, so hopefully this wont happen to others. I'll just jump right in.</p>

<p>I first became interested in applying to the academies when I was probably 7... no joke. I knew I wanted to be a fighter pilot after watching "Top Gun" and "Operation Red Flag", two of my favorite movies. So anyways, I strived for good grades, did lots of activities in school and did sports. I thought I was doing good. </p>

<p>Once I was a sophomore, I applied for the Naval and Air Force Academy Summer Seminars. I met with my ALO Officer for the Air Force and he even put information and spoke very highly of me, as I actually met him a few years before through a friend who also applied to these schools. Anyways, a few months later I was denied to both. I figured it was my SAT scores, since I was never that good at taking those tests. </p>

<p>The following year I applied for both schools to attend the entering class of 2011 (I am a senior right now). I was done with my application before summer even started, and felt really confident. I went to numerous events and met with many people about my application. In face, I met the Air Force Academies Director of Admissions, who said I was highly competitive, except I just had to bring my SAT scores up.</p>

<p>Now, this is where it gets interesting. the only thing I did not do right away was my medical. I was terrified to send in information about my medical because I knew I was going to be disqualified: I had a history of Asthma. Yet, I ended up finishing it and was then asked to send all outpatient history to DoDMERB. I did and a few weeks later I was disqualified medically. Although I was still not that discouraged because I knew I could get a waiver from one of the schools, and because I was so "competitive" for these schools. (By the way, I also received a nomination from my congresswoman for both Academies).</p>

<p>At this point, it was a waiting game for me. Air Force and the Navy could not tell me anything. Neither could DoDMERB. So one day I called Air Force and spoke to my counselor there and asked if I would be receiving a waiver for my asthma, since DoDMERB finally told me to do that (probably because they got sick of me calling everyday!) My counselor looked at my file and told me that I would actually not be receiving a waiver because my ACT score is one point lower than what it should be and because my SAT scores need to just be a little higher. So that was out. Now I was just left with the Navy.</p>

<p>Early last week I then came home to a small letter from the Navy saying I will not be offered admission to the Naval Academy. My dream was gone. It said I was disqualified because of my history of asthma, despite the fact that I have not suffered from it for 3 years.</p>

<p>I also applied to Penn State, Purdue, and a bunch of University of California schools since I live in Cali. I was rejected to all Cali schools sadly yet I was accepted into Aero Eng for Purdue and Penn State. Yet, its to expensive to go there, and because my parents make to much money, I don't qualify for any grants at all. My parents are not going to be paying for my education as well, so it is crucial that I get in to these academies.</p>

<p>I was told that I could become medically qualified if I take the Methacholine Challenge Test. This test is apparently very challenging and dangerous as well, as it can go wrong very easily. so my doctor actually signed me up to take a newer version of this test that isn't as dangerous. I have not taken this test yet though.</p>

<p>So bottom line, my advice to anyone applying to these schools is to start as early as possible. The second that app is available, start it and get it in. Make sure to check with your politicians o see when you apply for a nomination, as they have different deadlines than the academies. And also, if they give you a decision, keep sending in information. If I can pass this asthma test, I still have a very good chance that I can receive an "appeal". So hopefully that will come through.</p>

<p>Also, if you have any questions for me feel free to let me know, I'll do my best to try to help out!</p>

2

<p>I’m very sorry to hear about your predicament. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but what were your CFA scores and SAT scores, just to see if I myself am qualified for entry?</p>

3

<p>No problem!</p>

<p>CFA scores:</p>

<p>Basketball Throw: 70 ft
Pull-ups: 11
Shuttle Run: 8.6 s
Sit-ups: 77
Pushups: 61
Mile: 6:09</p>

<p>SAT:</p>

<p>I forget what it is individually but out of 2400, I got 1800.</p>

<p>ACT:
My composite is a 29.</p>

<p>I was also in a ton of clubs at my school and have lots of leadership experience. My GPA is even a 4.2 weighted. Just make sure your test scores are stronger, as that is really important!</p>

4

<p>

Sorry to hear things didn’t work out for you with the SA applications (so far). In fairness you did know early on that you had to raise your SAT/ACT scores and that your history with asthma was going to be a problem.

If I may add on to this excellent advice…deal head on with any problems or weak areas of your application. Everybody has some, but it is extremely important that you re-take (and hopefully improve) any tests that you are weak on so that the SAs are interested in possibly granting medical waivers (if needed).</p>

5

<p>Agales:</p>

<p>I definitely agree! You are more likely o get a waiver if the rest of your file looks really good. For me, its just that my SATs were not as good as they should have been.</p>

6

<p>I am going to be blunt and honest here - if you never received a notification that the Naval Academy was seeking a waiver for your medical DQ then this is not the reason you were denied admission.
Once you are DQ’d, it’s up to the academy to seek a waiver. If you are not competitive enough for admission they will not go through this process.
I am going to say that even if you were medically qualified you would not have gained admission. sorry.</p>

<p>If you choose to apply again, your SAT’s need improvement and you are still DQ’s and would need a waiver. Did you consider NROTC?</p>

7

<p>Well, what Justamom has noted is correct, except … if you’re in college, SATs are no longer part of the picture and assessment process, as I understand it.</p>

8

<p>^
Oh they are part of the picture - whether or not to retake them is the question. If they were 1400 or above then any improvement will be negligible.
Since his were ~1800 - how can a hs senior not remember his SAT??? - depending on the spread he may not have even qualified for admission.<br>
Since they will only have first semester grades to look at - they need to be stellar and in appropriate subjects - English, Calculus, Chemistry - a marked improvement in SAT’s taken this June or early fall would most certainly help is overall package.</p>

9

<p>

Are you serious? I thought that the medical review board’s job was to not be influenced by outside factors like this?</p>

10

<p>^^^
The waiver comes from the SAs not DoDMERB.</p>

11

<p>

</p>

<p>The academy admissions dept requests the review for the waiver. The records are then sent to the waiver board - which is BUMED- the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
These doctors make the decision on the waiver based on the information in the medical records from DODMERB.</p>

12

<p>good luck in your methacholine replacement test.</p>

<p>If it doesn’t work out this year, you might consider taking a gap year and reapplying next year… or start at a JC or Cal State and transfer after a year there to the Naval Academy. I don’t know anything about how common that is, but I have read that it is done. For example you could participate in ROTC at Cal St. Northridge, or find an NROTC participating Cal St…I’m pretty sure Cal St. San Marcos is part of the University of San Diego NROTC Battalion. You’d simply be participating without a scholarship. Who knows, you might even like it and get a Scholarship from the Battalion entering your 2nd year.</p>

<p>There is no a priori reason that you wouldn’t be as likely to get a naval aviator service community billet out of NROTC as you would out of Annapolis… especially from a Battalion with as much pull as San Diego has.</p>

13

<p>As soon as you are put into a category of “needing a waiver”, it becomes much more competitive and the standards will be higher than for a candidate who does not need a medical waiver.</p>

14

<p>I passed the asthma test!! It was actually a newer version of the methacholine test, so it wasn’t as dangerous. I sent in the results to DoDMERB and the two schools I applied to, so hopefully this will do something. </p>

<p>If I end up becoming medically qualified after the results of the test, does anyone know if I will be re-evaluated for admission?? I would even love to go to the prep school for one year and apply again. My ALO and Blue and Gold Officer said to just keep sending information and hopefully it will work. They even told me to send a letter asking if I could be considered for the prep school, even though I am already automatically considered.</p>

15

<p>Elmons13: It is unrealistic to expect that you will be reconsidered for the incoming class or for NAPS at this late date – those decisions are long since made. But you don’t have to give up on your dream. Here is my advice: </p>

<ol>
<li> Enroll in a college for this fall that you can afford that offers NROTC. Talk to your local NROTC recruiter and you may even qualify for a scholarship. NROTC scholarships are often still available right up until the start of the fall semester, and the NROTC officers can often coordinate with the admissions office if needed. (I’m speaking from experience here.)</li>
<li> Open up a new application to USNA. You will not be reconsidered unless you reapply. You will need to obtain another congressional nomination which may be from the same source as this past year. Some documents may not have to be resubmitted, however, as they are already on file, so check and make sure what you have to do.</li>
<li> Impress your NROTC officer with your competence, commitment and leadership potential – his or her recommendation will carry weight.
4… Take a difficult curriculum in college this fall and again next spring: Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, whatever – and do whatever you have to do to earn as close as you can to a real 4.0 (not a weighted one). If you do that, your SATs won’t mean much anymore.<br></li>
<li> Write an amazing essay for this application to USNA describing what you have learned from this journey and how it has made you an even more compelling candidate.</li>
</ol>

<p>Don’t think of this as “wasting a year” – you would be amazed at how many of each incoming USNA class have 1 or more year of schooling past high school (not to mention prior enlisted who may have 3 or more years of service already.) Many find that the additional time and education gives them a maturity and academic edge that made their time at USNA even more valuable.</p>

<p>One last piece of advice: do NOT let yourself believe that attending USNA guarantees that you will become a pilot after graduation. You can ask for this as a first preference, and you might even get it, but it won’t be your decision. The Navy might decide they want you for subs and off you go. Or you might be medically disqualified from flying for reasons that have nothing to do with your history of asthma and then wind up in surface warfare. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

16

<p>Does anyone know what happens if the academy finds out you were less than truthful about possible asthma with DODMERB? My son has already been admitted but this medical issue has surfaced. If he gets a waiver will he still be DQ’d for dishonesty?</p>

17

<p>Good, or maybe a painful question. Were I that appointed candidate, I’d be concerned, especially recognizing the current climate, demographic realities, and growing movement toward less, not more tolerance of dishonest and dishonorable behavior. </p>

<p>Frankly, it’s confounding to consider how much mercy, how much justice should be meted out for in a young person who’s knowingly placed himself @ odds with the essence of that place he’s hoped to be a part of.</p>

18

<p>Dishonesty is in the eye of the beholder. I think before any sort of reasonable answer could be given, one would have to know to what question you are referring and what answer was given.</p>

<p>I am curious, for example, how has this medical issue surfaced? [I assume he passed the admittance physical.] Did Academy call and ask why he is on a particular med [assuming it came up through some other channel] that he previously denied being on?</p>

<p>More details would help with answering and/or assist others with understanding that it is not advisable to try and hide medical issues.</p>

19

<p>And WP is more or less correct.
The medical restrictions are in place for a reason.
The Navy cannot afford to have officers in place who have breathing restrictions.</p>

<p>this is not a game.</p>

20

<p>Bill, your counsel is … well counsel, counselor. The question reveals the issue. “Less than truthful” means …a fib. Knowingly providing incorrect medical information. Period. No need to lawyer “honesty” is there? This is not a court of law where shadows of doubt may and do carry the case. </p>

<p>I’m not trying to sound harsh about this. As you’ve summed … there may be 2 genuine issues … 1. Dishonesty 2. Disqualification medically</p>