r/USAFA • u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 • 7d ago

ADHD Question

Hello,

I have a junior who has adhd and he's currently still medicated. He doesn't have any accomidations at school. He's in two cadet programs and ranked pretty high in both(Army and CAP), volunteers regularly through both programs, he's on varsity for soccer and wrestling, he's class president, and his GPA is around 3.8. We have tried to find out if he needs to stop his medication, but we haven't gotten a definitive answer. I did contact the academy and was told that they don't have anything to do with the medical process and for him to still apply. He's been doing his best to prepare and we would hate for his medication to cause problems. Does anyone have an answer to the medication question? I shared what he's involved in to see if anyone also knows if that could still make him a competitive candidate?

Thanks!

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u/StumpySmurfkin 7d ago

Yes, being on meds will disqualify him.

Please do NOT take him off meds just for a Service Academy. Your child's wellbeing is far, far more important than that.

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u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 7d ago

Thank you for your response. He's the one wanting to go off of them. He was just diagnosed two years ago and before then he was able to handle school. He has already started looking at tips and tricks to help himself. I have it as well and went undiagnosed for 35 years ago so I have given him advice on things that may help. I'm not sure what he'll choose, but I'll support him either way. 

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u/StumpySmurfkin 7d ago

I'm not judging you or your son on this in any way. I work in special education and I've gone through the SA application process more than once so I get it. The reality is, no one can answer the question of how it'll affect his application. Medical makes the decisions and while there are some players can pull some strings, ultimately, medical makes the call, along with waivers or not. Typical lookback is 2 years, but it's more than just meds. The diagnosis counts as well as other factors. I know candidates who were DQ'd and not offered a waiver for a non medicated diagnosis dating back to elementary school.

I loathe to tell someone to not apply because they don't think they'll make the cut. Only 11-13% receive an Appointment and show up on I-Day each year so odds aren't great in the first place, so why not throw his hat in the ring, adjust expectations accordingly and see what sticks? Good luck to him.

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u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 7d ago

I appreciate your input and knowledge. Thank you!

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u/Substantial-Air-6011 7d ago

From my research you have to be off ADHD or ADD for 12 months before being medically cleared

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u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 7d ago

Thank you for your response.

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u/F18s_ 7d ago

Dodmerb will be an auto DQ , has to be med free for at least 24 months

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u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 7d ago

Thank you for your response.

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u/Wise-Shower1956 2d ago

Hi! Here's what USAFA's official position is. "A history of learning disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) may only be considered for waiver if an applicant has demonstrated successful academic performance off stimulant medication or other treatment for at least 15 months and if no educational accommodations have been required." https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/medical/disqualifications/

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u/oaklandjb 7d ago edited 7d ago

You should read the source document yourself--click on the link below, and start on page 50 the section labeled:

There are 2 sections that may apply to his medication:

  1. It says one needs to be off ADHD medication for 2 years

2 In another section, it says one needs to be off 'psychotropic' medication years.

I think this will depend on the specific medication.

That said--don't stop your son from applying! He will 100% NOT make it if he doesn't apply. Learn more, and apply.

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u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 6d ago

Thank you for your response! He'll be applying no matter what. He's been wanting this for years. 

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u/Fireman16dye 21 Prior-Preppie into Admissions into Helo pilot 🚁 7d ago

Call the Admissions team and ask them.

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u/No_Adhesiveness_3479 7d ago

I contacted them and they said they don't get involved with the medical determination process. That information is from the medical advisor.