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Academy Nominations:
Since 1802, many of America’s finest students have competed to enroll as cadets or midshipmen at the nation’s five prestigious United States service academies. Within the corridors of these historic institutions, ambition, aptitude, and talent are rewarded with some of the best and most affordable educational opportunities available in America.
These academies, operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marines, and Coast Guard, are five of the best kept secrets in American higher education. Not only do these schools rival the best private colleges in the country in terms of quality of education, they do so at no cost to the student or family. In exchange for this free education, the students agree to accept commissioning for a number of years as an officer in the armed services or the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Careful attention is paid to each individual cadet or midshipman at the academies. Student/teacher ratios are generally lower at the academies than at other colleges, and students’ progress is closely monitored to ensure peak performance. Graduates leave the service academies with the intellectual, social, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in any career or environment.
Although these academies offer seemingly limitless opportunities to excel, enrollment is limited by law. The academies are interested in the "whole person" perspective, giving weight to all facets of an individual’s character including intelligence, creativity, and leadership qualities.
In this competitive application process, students who display excellence in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in the community are most likely to be selected.
For all service academies except the Coast Guard, individuals must be nominated by one of several federal officials, including the Vice President, U.S. Senators, and U.S. Representatives. An appointment is an actual offer of admission from the academy made directly to a nominated applicant. Coast Guard candidates apply directly to the academy.
The process is open to anyone with the desire and determination to apply, and my nominations, which are based on the recommendations of an independent academy review board, are made solely on the basis of merit. Application requirements may vary for different nominating sources, so it is important to contact each source individually. Students may also apply to more than one academy at the same time.
Students interested in one of the five academies should contact Senator Snowe in the spring or summer of their junior year in high school, and no later than the fall of their senior year. Applicants must be at least 17 and no more than 22 years old as of July 1 of the year of admission to a service academy. Interested young men and women from throughout Maine can contact any of Senator Snowe's offices for information about service appointments.
Academy Nominations: Q&A
Q: How does one apply to attend a U.S. Military Academy?
A: Senator Snowe accepts applications postmarked through November 1st from Maine residents between the ages 17 to 22, who wish to attend an academy beginning in July of the following year. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and legal residents of Maine and must never have been married. As a U.S. Senator, Senator Snowe may nominate up to ten candidates for each vacancy at:
- US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
- US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York
- US Military Academy, West Point, New York
While the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut accepts nominations, admissions are made through a direct, rolling admission or early admission process.
It is important to indicate which academy is preferred. If more than one is desired, please list them in the order of choice. Links to additional information are provided below for each academy.
Q: What do you look for when selecting your top ten?
A: The military academy selection process is very competitive. Although standards vary somewhat among the academies, the candidates all show outstanding performance in academics, leadership, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs and community involvement. The academies especially stress the importance of leadership both in and out of school.
After Senator Snowe submits her nominees, each individual school then selects the candidates of their choice. At any given time, Senator Snowe can have a maximum of five appointees at each academy.
Q: How does one receive an application packet?
A: To receive an application packet, please contact Senator Snowe at:
United States Senator Olympia Snowe
Attn: Cheryl Leeman
3 Canal Plaza, Suite 601
Portland, Maine 04101
cheryl_leeman@snowe.senate.gov
(207) 874-0883
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