Each year, every Member of Congress has the privilege of recommending a select group of individuals for admission to the U.S. Service Academies: Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine.

Competition for the limited number of appointments is strong. Those interested in attending one of the academies should contact my Cape Girardeau office by the spring of their high school junior year to obtain current applications forms and filing instructions. You can reach my Cape Girardeau office by calling (573) 335-0101 or by writing to:

            United States Representative
            Jo Ann Emerson
            Attn: Darren Lingle
            339 Broadway
            Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

To be eligible for appointment, you must be an American citizen, at least 17 and not more than 22 years, not married, and a legal resident of the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri.

In December of each year, I convene my Academy Review Board, made up of prominent citizens of the Eighth Congressional District, to interview the candidates, review their qualifications, and make recommendations to me on the best candidate for nomination.

You must have taken the ACT and SAT test by November 1, in order for the review board to be able to consider you. The average acceptable SAT combined score is 1120 (including a minimum of 520 on the verbal portion and 600 on the math portion). The average minimum scores acceptable on the ACT Enhanced are 24 in English and 24 in math. This does not necessarily mean that candidates with lower scores have no chance in receiving an appointment since the academies look at all aspects of each candidate's background and qualifications. The majority of qualified applicants, however, have test scores in these ranges. I encourage you to take the exams more than once to ensure that you receive the highest score possible. The board will review the best scores you receive.

In January, I announce my nominations and the academies will decide which of my nominees will be offered an appointment.

Best of luck,
Jo Ann