U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) is reminding West Virginia students that the deadline to apply for admittance to United States Military Academies is fast approaching. Young men and women wishing to apply for a nomination to the classes entering service academies in the summer of 2009 must submit their application materials to Rahall's Beckley office by Monday, November 3, 2008.

"Each year I look forward to the chance to help West Virginia's most outstanding students gain admittance to our service academies," said Rahall. "The academies are very selective, always looking for the best and the brightest, making the competition for a limited number of slots very competitive but also very rewarding."

Candidates must be United States citizens, reside in West Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, and be at least 17 years of age by July 1st of the year in which they will enter the academy.

Applications must be received no later than Monday, November 3, 2008 at:

Office of Congressman Nick Rahall
301 Prince Street
Beckley, WV 25801

For more information on Academy admissions procedures, contact:

U.S. Military Academy
Admissions Office
Building 606
West Point, NY 10996
(845) 938-4041
http://admissions.usma.edu/

U.S. Naval Academy

Candidate Guidance Office
117 Decatur Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
(410) 293-4361
http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps.htm

U.S. Air Force Academy
HQ USAFA/RRS
2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 2400
USAF Academy, CO, 80840
(719) 333-3070
http://academyadmissions.com/

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Admissions Center
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024
(866) 546- 4778
http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/applications/default.htm