I appreciate your interest in applying and competing for a nomination to a United States Service Academy. As your Representative, I consider it an honor to help prospective students enter our prestigious service academies:

United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado;
United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut; and the
Merchant Marine Academy at Kingspoint, New York

Let me first inform you that nominations are extremely competitive because there are so few vacancies. After receiving nominations from my district, I will forward them to the Academies. The Academies will then review nominees and offer appointments to those candidates whom they determine are best qualified to meet the rigorous academic and physical challenges of Academy life. To initiate the application process, please send the academy nomination form to the Las Vegas Office to the Attention of Academy Coordinator. You will receive a self-explanatory application packet from my Las Vegas office shortly after your letter of interest is received. Applications are due on November 1st for students wishing to attend the following summer. The Academies rely heavily on records of academic achievement, test scores, athletic participation and community involvement which demonstrate leadership qualities. In addition to your SAT or ACT test scores, please submit a sealed copy of your high school transcript, and three letters of recommendation from your high school principal, counselor, teachers or coaches. The academies require that Members of Congress submit nominations by January 31st for the class that will enter the following summer. Because it takes a great amount of time to evaluate each candidate's records, I am establishing October 31st as the deadline for the return of all applications and requested material. The only exception to this deadline will be your November SAT scores, which will be accepted when received. Any applicant whose file is not complete by November 1st will seriously hinder his or her chances for a nomination.Application to the Academies is a two-step process. In addition to seeking a Congressional nomination, you must also directly contact the Academy or Academies in which you are interested so they can initiate a precandidate file in your name. In addition, I encourage you to seek a nomination from Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid. Because competition for nominations is great, you will vastly improve your chances by contacting three sources for a nomination.

Please do not hesitate to call my district office if you have any further questions or concerns. If you decide at any time to withdraw your application, please advise me immediately so I can keep my applicant records up-to-date.