Service Academies
The competition for an academy nomination
is extremely competitive. Students are advised to apply
to EVERY nominating authority for which their eligibility
allows. Nominating authorities are Wisconsin's two U.S.
Senators, your Congressperson, the President, and the Vice
President.
Each nominating authority uses a selection process which
is designed to meet its own needs and standards. The different
procedures are often confusing to applicants who apply to
more than one office. Last minute misunderstandings can
be avoided by carefully studying and following the instructions
of each office.
Each U.S. Representative and Senator may have a maximum
of five cadets at the Air Force Academy, Military Academy
(West Point), and Naval Academy at any one time. The number
of vacancies at these three academies is determined by the
number of cadets who either graduate from or leave the academies
each year. Generally, each Congressional office has only
one vacancy per year for the Air Force, Military, and Naval
Academies.
The Merchant Marine Academy appointments are made by the
Academy itself, based on statewide nominations from Congress.
The State of Wisconsin gets four vacancies each year, and
all Wisconsin applicants compete for these four vacancies.
The US Coast Guard Academy is the only service academy
which does not use the Congressional nominating process.
Students who are interested should apply directly to:
Superintendent
US Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT 06320
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Nomination Process
An applicant must register with at least one nominating
authority, as well as all academies in which he/she is interested.
Certain information is required, as noted below, in order
for a student to be eligible for one of Congressman Kind's
nominations.
THE DEADLINE FOR ALL MATERIALS TO BE RECEIVED IN CONGRESSMAN
KIND'S OFFICE IS MID-OCTOBER OF THE STUDENT'S SENIOR YEAR
IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Students are required to take responsibility for the completion
of their file. Applicants whose files are incomplete will
not be considered for a nomination.
Congressman Kind's Academy Selection Board will review
a student's file and determine if they qualify to be interviewed
for further consideration. Only those applicants who have
a completed file, qualifying test scores, and meet all requirements
set forth by each academy will be interviewed. If one qualifies,
an interview will be scheduled during November or December.
A competitive nomination system is used which assures that
each applicant has a fair chance to compete for available
openings. Nomination notifications are sent in January.
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Nomination File
Applications can be obtained by contacting Congressman
Ron Kind's office. You can ask for an application to be
sent to you by calling 1-888-442-8040. A nomination file
must be completed by mid-October of the student's senior
year in high school and must include the following:
- Application Form
Be thorough and complete. Careful thought should be given
to one's first choice of an academy. Second choices can
be considered only in the event that there is not a sufficient
number of qualified candidates for that particular academy.
If there is not enough room on the application form, please
feel free to continue on an additional page.
- High School Transcript
An official record of high school records and class rank
must be submitted. This transcript must show final junior
year grades, grade point average, and numerical class rank.
If the application is filed before this information is available,
it is the student's responsibility to follow up and provide
this information.
- College Boards
The ACT or SAT are the required entrance examinations for
admission to the Service Academies. Students are responsible
for taking the tests and requesting the scores be sent to
the academy/academies and to Congressman Kind's office.
It will be necessary for the student to take the test prior
to October for purposes of Congressman Kind's office deadline.
If the exam is taken in September, a Rush Report should
be requested and sent to Congressman Kind directly (for
the SAT) or to the student to forward immediately (for the
ACT). SAT test scores can be sent to Congressman Kind by
listing code number 1971 on the test registration form.
The ACT code number is 7756. Please check with your high
school guidance counselor for ACT and SAT test dates and
information. Congressman Kind's office accepts either exam.
- Three Letter of Recommendation
These letters should be written by those who know the student
personally and know their capabilities and weaknesses. LETTERS
FROM RELATIVES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please obtain all
three letters and send them to Congressman Kind's office
with your completed application. BE SURE TO ASK THOSE
WRITING YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO NOT SEND THE LETTERS DIRECTLY
TO CONGRESSMAN KIND'S OFFICE.
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