Every candidate for admission must take a qualifying medical examination given at authorized examining centers and scheduled by USMA Admissions. Examinations by private physicians and dentists cannot be considered qualifying medical examinations. Only examinations given at the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) authorized medical facilities are accepted as qualifying examinations. Specific medical standards for admission are described in the current West Point Catalog.

Medical Examinations in the greater Houston area are performed at The Zimmerman Medical Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77054. Following the Zimmerman Clinic examination it is not uncommon for candidates to be contacted by DODMERB requesting additional information or a private physician/dentist examination. Such further examinations must be completed prior to DODMERB rendering a medical qualification/disqualification determination. Although candidates cannot be admitted as a cadet with a medical disqualification, the DODMERB determination is not a final determination regarding admission to West Point. A disqualification can be waived by the USMA Admissions Committee based upon recommendations of West Point medical personnel. Waivers are automatically considered without application and are based not only upon the type of disqualification but on the overall strength of a candidate’s file.

In addition to contacting DODMERB for medical questions, area candidates can contact Houston MALO Colonel Allan J. Kogan at AjkMhk2u@aol.com. Colonel Kogan is a Houston area medical doctor and can assist candidates in understanding DODMERB requests, medical disqualifications and waiver options available in the admissions process.