<p>The beginning of the month I received a LOA saying that a spot has been reserved for me pending my nomination, last week I got my nomination from my senator. Unfortunately, today I received a letter from DoDMERB informing me that I was disqualified from Service Academies and ROTC for "academic skills defects". I assume this is a result of being diagnosed with ADHD. To my understanding it would be okay if i was off meds for a year, so I stopped taking them last april. </p>
<p>I understand waivers are quite rare for this. Is there anything I can do about my situation and is it possible to attend USMA next year? Its a shame because I was on meds for such a short time, I didn't even like them and rarely took them. and now its ruining my future. I am still a strong student, I am taking a heavy course load this senior year and am doing very well on standardized tests - well enough to have been accepted by the academy and the nomination committee.</p>
<p>thanks mom3boys. I actually went there first, I already emailed Larry Mullen. Just wondering if the folks on this site have any experience regarding these kind of waivers.</p>
<p>I would exhaust all avenues before giving up, especially since you have an LOA with a nomination. Waivers are common, but it does depend on the problem being diagnosed. It is way too early to think about abandoning all hope. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Ann - does this mean I have to be off for 13 months prior to entering the academy, or off 13 months before getting a waiver? I will have been off for about 14 months before entering the academy, but I've only been off for about 6 or 7 months right now.</p>
<p>Milestang: You have to be off the meds for 13 months to be eligible for a waiver. The waiver process is handled by USMA. Your best bet is to call your Regional Commander and discuss your file with him/her. The fact that you have an LOA means that you have the credentials they are looking for and puts you in a much better position. Good communication with admissions can only help you.
Good luck!</p>
<p>DO NOT STOP! Follow this advice, exhaust all avenues to getting a waiver, and do everything Larry Mullen says. But, most importantly: DO NOT STOP!</p>
<p>Worry about applying next year next year. For this year: DO NOT GIVE UP!</p>
<p>I can easily see a scenario where you ask for a waiver and it is denied due to the 13 month requirement Ann mentioned previously. But then in May, DODMERB approves the waiver since the time requirement is now satisfied. It might be a nail-biter, but it is very plausible that something like that might occur. Do not quit the race ten yards before the finish line. They have already made it clear they want you by granting you an LOA, now you need to show them how much YOU want to be a cadet.</p>
<p>Some things to remember regarding waivers:
1. You cannot be considered for a waiver until your admission file at West Point is complete.
2. The waiver process is started at the discretion of your Regional Commander, who is your main contact at USMA Admissions. Waivers for medical conditions are not automatically sought by Regional Commanders. They are sought at the discretion of the Regional Commander who is in charge of a Candidate's file. If a waiver is sought, it is sought by the Regional Commander from staff at West Point, not from staff at DODMERB.
3. Your situation will be reviewed by a committee of surgeons at West Point who will decide if a waiver is granted.</p>