<p>I received my official letter today informing me that I had been medically disqualified due to "Academic skills defects"... or in normal words taking ritalin. So the waiver process begins... Is there anything required of me at this point or will USMA take care of the waiver process for me? I think it's just such BS-- academic skills are the last thing I need to worry about. I got a 2240 on my SAT's and have outstanding grades- something seems wrong here.</p>
<p>You could try seeing a doctor and getting them to write a letter saying you were misdiagnosed.</p>
<p>have you received an LOA or anything like that? As soon as USMA makes a decision whether or not they want you, thats when the waiver process begins.</p>
<p>I received an LOA, did well on the CFA too. My liason said they definitely have a strong amount of interest in me. yomtvraps- what do you mean misdiagnosed? I definitely have ADHD, but I am very strong academically and it has never ever impeded my performance.</p>
<p>Are you currently taking ritalin? As long as you have been off all medication for 12 months hopefully you will get a waiver. I think there was a huge post about a person taking ritalin and woundering if they would get a waiver.</p>
<p>Again, as long as you have been off it for 12 months and show no signs of "academic skills defects".</p>
<p>Best of luke dude, im in a very similar boat (paxil for anxiety)</p>
<p>yea I was the one who was the subject of that big ritalin discussion. I haven't taken it in around 9 months, so I'm out in that respect. But I have always shown academic focus, without problem. Is that okay you think? What's ur situation?</p>
<p>Don't give up. Get tested. Prove you are in good shape medically. 12 mos by April. Make friends in admissions office to find out what you REALLY need to do.</p>
<p>If you have an LOA, you have a much better shot than without one. I bet you get a letter from WP in the near future explaining the waiver process. Thats what happened for me at least. It takes a while, so it sucks, but be patient.</p>
<p>"If you have an LOA, you have a much better shot than without one"
--Id be careful about that advice. Waiver authorities opperate completely seperate from addmissions and waivers are granted REGARDLESS of academic or admissions status.</p>
<p>.:. people with LOAs, conditional appointments have no better chance with a waiver than someone with minimal status. The only point in which admission chances matter are waivers being forwarded to the waiver authority, and that varies with academies.</p>
<p>"What's ur situation?"</p>
<p>I have a rather long thread going on in the AFA forum discussing most of my medical stumbles, bumps and pains.</p>
<p>Best of luck dude, i know how much of a pain it is to have something like a mental issue cause so many problems.</p>
<p>Snipper, I disagree. I received a letter from USMA stating that they would forward a request to DoDMERB for me to get a waiver, same with USAFA. Within days I had a waiver from USMA, but I'm still waiting on USAFA. Most Academies say that you have to be academically qualified to get a waiver. DoDMERB isn't going to waste their time with you if you don't have a shot at getting into an Academy.</p>
<p>I think the academy decides who has a shot at appointments. If they do not have a shot, they will not forward the request. Once DoDMERB gets the request to process the waiver, then i dont think academics have much to do with it.</p>
<p>I would at least hope that. This is how it was explained by my counselor.</p>
<p>"If you have an LOA, you have a much better shot than without one"</p>
<p>"--Id be careful about that advice. Waiver authorities opperate completely seperate from addmissions and waivers are granted REGARDLESS of academic or admissions status."</p>
<p>I think you are both right...
At USMA your Regional Commander starts the waiver process, and the decision to seek a waiver is tied to the strength of your admissions packet. Your Regional Commander is more likely to seek a waiver for you if you are a strong candidate. Having an LOA is definitely an advantage at this point. However, I believe that the decision to actually grant a waiver depends on your medical condition and is independent of the strength of your candidate file.</p>