Service Academy Nominations
Each year I have the privilege of nominating young men and women for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point.
Candidates interested in seeking a nomination from my office to one of these academies must request a copy of my application packet in addition to applying directly to the Academy's Admissions office. I will give each selected candidate a nomination to only one service academy. If you contact other nominating sources, such as your U.S. Senators, be certain to confirm their deadlines and application requirements as procedures may differ between offices.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy manages its own selection process based on a nationwide merit-based competitive process. No congressional nominations are required. All applicants must apply directly to the Coast Guard Academy's Admissions office. For further information, visit their website at http://www.cga.edu
Basic Requirements For Service Academy Eligibility
- Must be at least 17, but not yet 23 years-of-age by July 1st of year of admission to the academy
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Must be unmarried
- Cannot be pregnant or have legal obligation to support a child or other dependents
- Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy
Nomination Process and Requirements
My selection process consists of several factors, including the completion of my nomination application packet, and an interview before my Service Academy Advisory Board. In choosing nominees, I will consider:
- Academics: Official transcript, grade point average, SAT scores, class rank, etc.
- Leadership experience and ability: Applicant must complete a three-page application form, indicating information on extra-curricular activities. Examples include work, church, school government, and youth or civic organizations.
- Motivation and writing skills: Acceptance to an Academy is a highly desired goal. To gauge each applicant's determination and goals, an essay of 300 words must be submitted on the topic of "Why I want to attend the (name) Academy."
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from your high school Guidance Counselor or Principal, to be included in your application packet.
- An interview before my service academy selection board.
- Residency: Candidates must be domiciled in New York's 25th Congressional District.
- Optional: Candidates are encouraged to attach a list of honors, awards, activities, achievements or any other information you feel is pertinent to your application.
Please contact my office to request a nomination application packet, and for the specific requirements for submitting the information above.
Request an Application
My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors as of that date and will be seniors the following year, or who have already graduated.
Interested candidates should request a nomination application packet by contacting my Syracuse District Office at:
Congressman Jim Walsh
P.O. Box 7306
Syracuse, NY 13261
(315) 423-5657 phone
(315) 423-5669 fax
The deadline for receipt of completed applications will be in November (date TBD). Completed applications should be returned to the address above.
Interviews and Nominations
Those candidates who have sent completed application packets to my office by the deadline will be interviewed by my selection advisory boards in early December. Based upon the recommendations of these boards, I typically will nominate up to 10 candidates for each academy using a competitive method. I will announce those nominations in December.
Offers of Appointment
The admissions departments of the academies will make the final decision on which candidates will be offered admission. Offers of Appointment are announced on a rolling basis. The Academies will notify most candidates of their final status by April 15th.
If you are not selected, you are welcome to reapply the following year. Many applicants succeed after an additional year of preparation.