<p>I'm an official candidate (Class of 2010) and have been moving throught the process fairly smoothly; personal statement, transcript, SAT scores, and some teacher recommendations are all in. However, my attention is now towards DODMERB. I know that I will be disqualified because of my glasses, but my perscription is within waiverable limits. However, since this puts me in a different pile with everyone else, I am now really concerned. Any input on how the waiver process goes would be great.</p>
<p>The Naval Academy has been all I have wanted to do since I was eight. Both of my older brothers were USNA graduates (98 and 01). For the past 10 years I have watched them do what I have wanted to do (graduate USNA, serve in the Navy as either a pilot or submarine officer, and go to grad. school). Now it is my turn. I don't want to be turned down because of some medical condition that can be fixed. I would really appreciate any input on the process of getting a waiver so I can learn as much about it as possible. I've waited for this oppurtunity since I was 8 years old and will not be turned down due to a medical condition.</p>
<p>Without wanting to discourage you, I would suggest you have a daunting task ahead.
First, what are your stats? As you may know, the Academy will grant waivers to no more than approx. 30% of the entering class for vision. My son was found to be triple Q this past year but was unable to make the cut for the vision waiver. However, if your qualifications are far above average and you come from a less competitive state or congressional district, you may have a better chance. Also, having two brothers who are graduates is probably helpful to you.</p>
<p>New SAT: 1220 (This is math and verbal) I am taking them again to get a better score
Rank: approx. 60 out of 290</p>
<p>Captain of CC team with 3 varsity letters, 3 varsity letters in swimming and track
Attended LeadAmerica conference (part of CSLC, Congressional Student Leadership Conference)
STAMP Member
SAD member
Bunch more extracurriculars...</p>
<p>Thats a quick snapshot of the stats...my congressional district doesn't seem to competitive. One of my friends applied for a nomination from Congressman Kucinich (blahh but o well) and got it very easily. I don't think too many people from my district applies to him because I have 90% of the application materials to him and seem to be the only one (from calls I've made confirming they recieved everything).</p>
<p>Math and verbal were both 610. For some reason, those are the only two the academy looks at because when i log on to CIS, those are the only two scores that show up. I'm definitely not complaining because my writing score sucked.</p>
<p>Your sports are great. And you realize that you need higher scores on the SAT. If this is something you have wanted for so long, spend the rest of the summer prepping for the exam. Take the ACT also. Then take them again. </p>
<p>And make sure that you excel in those AP classes. It's a tough academic schedule, made all the more difficult by participating in 2 varsity sports seasons, but it really is critical. The academics are the most important part of your application. </p>
<p>Finally, you may be the only student seeking a nomination from your congressman today, but there may well be others as time goes on. And even if you receive the nomination, you need to insure that you are the most competitive on his slate. Please read juniormom's story about her son. He has an incredible profile and did not receive an appointment. Make sure you apply for nominations from every possible source. The nomination is only 1 step in the application process. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you and let us know how things turn out.</p>
<p>So, even if you have one eye thats not 20/20, I have to get a waiver for that as well? I never wear my glasses because I see perfect 20/20 without them, however, my right eye is slightly worse.</p>
<p>If you see perfect 20/20 without them, then take the DODMERB without them. If your one eye is that close I wouldn't worry about it. My problem is that both of my eyes are too far off 20/20. But, if you can see 20/20 without your glasses, stick to that.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have the kind of commitment the academies like to see. If you review some of the postings on nominations and appointments, you will find that the appointment from USNA is much harder to get than the nomination. Your goal should be to have the highest possible ranking within your congressional district.</p>
<p>My quick assessment of your profile is that you should focus on improving your SAT's. I suggest you set a goal of 1300+. Treat scoring well on your SAT's like training for cross country. If someone asked you how to improve their running times, I bet you would suggest more practice. If they said they weren't willing to practice, you would probably question their commitment.</p>
<p>Likewise for SAT score improvement. For several weeks before the exam, do 30-50 practice questions everyday. Focus on the type of questions that give you the most problems. Get some SAT prep books and work through them. As a cross country runner, you should thrive on the mental pain. Similarly, like sports training, practice leads to improvement. </p>
<p>It may not be fair that so much emphasis is put on the SAT/AcT scores, but that's the way it is. While our son loved the hours he spent running cross country, he hated the time spent preparing for the SAT's. But he begrudgingly admits that the time spent was necessary to improve his SAT scores and essential to his getting a letter of assurance and the appointment he dreamed of. He is now a Class of 2009 Cadet at USMA.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I'm definitely going to spend more time with the SAT (hopefully time will allow, the amount of AP summer work is ridiculous!!!). I think my chances will be good if I can get everything done and submitted early and get the SAT scores higher.</p>
<p>I've also been running 65-70 miles per week since the beginning of July. Hopefully, states for CC is on the horizon. That would be a huge help as I also hope to run CC for Navy as well.</p>
<p>Additionally, one of my friends on the CC team has a grandfather who was a Naval Academy grad, all american center on the football team, and an admiral. They are willing to help as well.</p>
<p>Hahaha, I don't exactly know what states for College Confidential would be...maybe whoever has the most postings.</p>
<p>I have completed the Recruiting Questionaire on the website. Also, I am drafting a letter to send to the coach expressing my interest in running there and in the Academy. I also will be in Maryland for a week in august. Should i try to arrange an interview so he can meet me?</p>
<p>My daughter isn't a recruited athlete, so I can't help here. Some of the other parents know a lot more about it, though. In the meantime, I know that there are NCAA rules that you should be aware of.</p>
<p>"I will be disqualified because of my glasses, but my perscription is within waiverable limits" Actually what the DODMERB report will indicate is that you will be "waiverable" for USNA. You would only be disqualified if you aren't correctable to 20/20 or if your uncorrected eyes are out of the waiverable limits. The best way to get a waiver and be part of that 30% is to make your file as competitive as you can (the folks above have given great advice on how to do that). There was a rumour last year that you couldn't get an LOA from the Naval Academy if you needed an eye waiver, that is incorrect. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input...i'll be sure to keep everyone updated as we all learn something new everytime someone goes through the process that can benefit all.</p>
<p>1480 (old Sat)
36 out of a class of 1107
9 AP classes
Varsity Lacrosse
Vol. work
3 unbelievable recommendations ( I thought they were talking about someone else's kid - LOL)
VP nomination
Highly recommended by BGO
And all the usual awards (trying to keep this short)</p>
<p>20/25 in one eye. He did not get an appointment. He was unable to make the cut of the 30% waiverble pool that shogun mentioned.</p>
<p>I have a question that someone may be able to answer. How much weight does that fact that tridude87's 2 brothers are graduates? I am of the belief that if you are a sibling or offspring of an academy graduate, while never a guarentee, gives you an advantage over other people. They don't ask the question on the application for no reason. I believe that it give the academies admissions officer some insight as to a candidates chances of success at a military academy. In the WP parents club that I belong, there are at least 3 offspring and 2 siblings going to USMA and USAFA. Of course, my evidence is only anecdotal. Anyone have any imformation on this? Thanks. And good luck tridude87.</p>
<p>This is one of those cases where I cannot believe he did not get an appointment. However, the eyesight can serious decrease the chances of getting an appointment (thus my concerns).</p>
<p>My brother was a NROTC recruiter in Chicago (he's now on another tour in Seattle on the USS Pennsylvania Gold) and he had some interesting points to tell me when I began to consider the academy. He said that having the family history does help, but it WILL NOT get you there if you don't have the grades, extracurriculars, etc. that make you just as qualified as the next person. What could have happened in your son's case is that when he got put into the pool of applicants, someone with as good of stats of your son had a family history that put him over the top (which is still almost hard to believe with his stats). Wierd things happen I find with the medical waivers; it becomes extremely competitive and sometimes the people that belong there don't get an appointment. Additionally, it could have had something to do with when your son got all of his application material to the Naval Academy; they could have already handed out that 30% by the time he submitted everything. When did he get all of the requirements in to the Academy?</p>
<p>This is my take on it and I will talk to my brother and see if he has any additional information for you.</p>
<p>tridude87: letter to the coach is a good idea, so is sending an athletic CV to the coach directly. Include any camps you will be at so he can visit (within NCAA guidelines). You can, and should, contact the coaches.....be sure to register with the NCAA clearinghouse...can be done on-line
good luck to all</p>
<p>Unfortunately, so much depends on the competitiveness of the state and/or congressional District. The experiences of cobia210's son reinforce that opinion.</p>
<p>I it would appear that being a legacy results in extra points toward the "whole person score", but how many is not known. I doubt that being a legacy alone would overcome deficiencies in other areas, although, in my opinion, could result in the offer of NAPS or a Foundation program.</p>
<p>Best of Luck to all, and make sure you have a plan "B" and even "C" that would allow you to achieve your career dreams.
CM</p>