All the academies, the U.S. Air Force, Military, Merchant Marine, Naval, and Cost Guard will have representatives on hand to make presentations for their respective schools.  Potential students will also have the opportunity to ask questions and speak with academy representatives during an informal gathering.   Rep Smith said, “academy night provides an important opportunity for young men and women who want to find out more about the education options and challenges that exist at our service academies.”

            Congressional nominations are needed for students who plan to attend the Air Force, Military, Merchant Marine, or Naval Academies.  The Coast Guard does not require a Congressional  nomination.  Academy nominations are open to residents in the Fourth Congressional District who are between the ages of 17-22 (25 for the Merchant Marine, or Naval Academies), single with no dependents, and a U.S. citizen.  “Over the years, I have had the opportunity to nominate many exceptional students who went on to study and graduate from our military academies,” said Rep. Chris Smith.

            Most students begin considering attending one of the military academies during their junior year in high school.  Applicants must include their SAT/ACT scores, an official high school transcript, a complete listing of extracurricular activities, three letters of recommendation, an essay, and a photograph.  The application deadline for the Fourth District applications this year is November 1, 2005 for students who plant to begin attending an academy in the fall of 2006.  This year 37 applicants competed for nominations in the Fourth Congressional District, and nine have been offered appointments by the service academies.

            Academy night will be held this Monday, April 25, 2005 at the Washington Township Senior Center which is located at Route 526 and U.S. 206 in Robbinsville, NJ.