<p>I applied for the point in high school, received a congressional nomination, got a letter of assurance etc. After my medical examination, I was rejected by dodmerb for eye problems (intermittent alternating esotropia). It was one of the worst days of my life, and I hadn't applied to many other schools because I had thought that I was assured a spot in West Point. I ended up going to Cuny Honors, Hunter College for a year, and I got accepted to UPenn somewhat recently. </p>
<p>There has not been many days that go by that I do not think about reapplying to West Point. I am aware that I will have to start over, losing two years of college credit (since I won't be able to apply for 2011). I also don't know if I can get a medical waiver this time around. I am planning to visit West Point this summer to meet with an admissions officer and explain my situation, but can anyone shed any light on what my chances are of getting that waiver? </p>
<p>I'm a pretty driven individual, but I'm also not sure if West Point is worth losing two years of college. Should I just try and go for OCS after graduating from UPenn?</p>
<p>No. I had surgery on my eyes in sophomore year of HS, but it was determined that the functional problem was in my brain. However, despite my lack of depth perception, I am able to play table tennis, tennis, baseball etc to a reasonably competitive level, due to hours of practice. </p>
<p>I also did not put forth as much effort as I should have in obtaining that waiver the first time around, something that I would not do if I applied again.</p>
<p>Two years of your life is a lot to just toss down the drain to try for West Point. You could be in the Army in two years from now through OCS doing exactly what you would be doing by starting over from scratch in five years from now. That's quite a long time to chase a dream. Is it worth it?</p>
<p>Honestly I think that I attach a lot of sentimental value on the name and place, because I've wanted to go there for so long. So even though it may not be the "right" answer, I'm well aware of the fact that I can become an officer out of UPenn as well, its just that I've always wanted to go to West Point.</p>
<p>Poor reasoning? I have a hard time just giving up on things that I care about.</p>
<p>Also, because I was rejected by dodmerb, not West Point, will I encounter the same problems trying to enlist/go to OCS?</p>
<p>Also, I don't think that I would view the last year and the upcoming one as "going down the drain". While they don't count towards college credit, that's not something that's all important to me. I also will have experienced life at other universities/college, and in two of the nation's greatest cities, while making new connections and friends in both of them. It would not be a total loss, in my eyes anyway.</p>
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Two years of your life is a lot to just toss down the drain to try for West Point. You could be in the Army in two years from now through OCS doing exactly what you would be doing by starting over from scratch in five years from now. That's quite a long time to chase a dream. Is it worth it?
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<p>This is the kind of thing the ROTC officer threw at my son when he called to decline his AROTC scholarship at an in state college because he accepted the civil prep offer (attend NMMI for a year and then go to West Point). My son's logic was that his first choice of college was West Point, so why not try and make that dream come true. It is true that in the end he will be a 2nd LT whether he went to West Point or did ROTC but why not go for the dream if that is what he wants? Also, I didn't know it was a race to get to the finish. Many young people do not finish their bachelor degree in 4 years due to money issues, class scheduling, or changing their majors mid-stream, so what if it takes 5 or 6 years to finish?</p>
<p>Shevlock - I say reapply and put all your effort into it. If you don't get it this time then at least you won't go through the rest of your life saying "what if".</p>
<p>Speaking from experience...you do not want to be 40 and wondering where you would be if you had gone for your dream instead of settling for something less.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm all for dreaming and reaching for the brass ring. More power to you for trying again. All I was saying was with age and experience should come a bit of wisdom and maturity. If your medical condition has not changed at all, and you are the only one who would know, then the situation probably hasn't changed.</p>
<p>But "waiver happens" for many different conditions and the only ones who would be able to tell you are the folks at DODMERB. Go check it out.</p>
<p>As a parent of a former cadet, I can tell you first hand that "wantin' ain't gettin'". I've seen first hand how it can cause a person to waste years of their life wondering "what if". If applying again will answer that for you, knock 'em dead.</p>
<p>And yes, to answer a previous question, the same issue with your condition very well might come up during OCS. </p>
<p>Medical conditions can and do end the careers of wonderful people in the Army. I speak from experience.</p>
<p>Shevlock, lots of good info here -- and I'll only add a little that I haven't seen so far. </p>
<p>On some of the other CC academy forums the same question has been asked, and in one the advice was that, while everyone goes for four years, your couple of "extra" years of college are applied up front and you can actually "test" out of classes you've already taken -- at least some of them. That might allow you to take additional, in-depth classes in your area of interest that can get you started on a masters while still at the academy. If you search, I'm sure you can find similar threads (to your question) on all the academy CC forums. And, the advice by WAMom to check your DODMERB criteria out on the serviceacademyforums.com site is solid advice. As the Major says, it will likely apply to whatever commissioning source you come from. </p>
<p>You have time to pursue your studies, work on your waiver and still focus your current classes toward another try at WP, if that's what you decide. What can you lose? A year from now you'll be a year older but you may have your waiver questions answered and new options to consider.</p>
<p>I spent a year at Washington and Lee University due to DODMERB stuff, so I wound up "losing" a year. It wasn't really a loss at all, I'm so thankful I had a taste of real college and plus I'm a little more knowledgable about life in general because of it.</p>
<p>I'd recommend doing it. Plebe year will suck and you will question it, but believe me-it's absolutely worth it.</p>
<p>Skirbyy, what made you so sure that your year at Washington and Lee was just going to be a year? How did you know your medical stuff would come through?</p>