To be considered for appointment to a service academy, an applicant must be nominated by an authorized nominating source such as a Member of Congress. The only exception to this nomination process is the Coast Guard, which offers appointments on the basis of an annual nationwide competition. Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law.

Eligibility Requirements
Application Process
Selection Process

Download Application (Requires Adobe Reader)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• You must be at least 17-years-old, and not yet 23-years-old by July 1 of the year of admissions (22-years-old for the Coast Guard and 25-years-old for the Merchant Marines).
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be unmarried and have no legal obligation to support any dependents.

The following is a list of (along with links to) 
the U.S. Service Academies:

The U.S. Naval Academy
The U.S. Military Academy
The U.S. Air Force Academy
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

“Charge” or Nominee Information
The law pertaining to congressional nomination stipulates that each Member of Congress is allowed a maximum of five "charges" at each academy in any given year (Merchant Marine is an exception).

When a "charge" graduates, a vacancy is created that the member may fill. Each member nominates a slate of ten candidates for each vacancy. Congresswoman Sánchez uses a competitive form of nomination. Using this method, she submits to the academy an unranked list of nominees for each vacancy. The academy then reviews the list and selects the most fully qualified candidate. This candidate becomes the Congresswoman's "charge". The remaining nominees are then considered and may also be offered appointments, but they will not be the member's "charge".

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APPLICATION PROCESS

The following five items are required for a nomination:

1. Completed application for nomination with the respective service academy.


2. A completed Congressional application. Download here. The application includes:
   
   a. Personal Information
   
   b. Personal Commentary, which includes a 500-word essay describing yourself, your goals and the reasons you would like to attend an academy.
   
   c. Two teacher recommendations: Use the recommendation forms included in the application. Teachers should complete the forms, seal them in envelopes, and return the forms to the student. The forms must arrive with the application package in sealed envelopes. Separate letters of recommendation are NOT required and will not be considered if received.
   
   d. Interview Request form
   
   


3. Official high school transcripts. Must arrive with application package in sealed envelope from guidance counselor.


4. Official SAT and/or ACT scores. Applicants may contact the College Board at (609) 771-7600 or visit College Board to request that scores be sent directly to Congresswoman Sánchez' office. The Office of Congresswoman Linda Sánchez has code number 4158.


5. A recent wallet-sized photograph of the applicant.

Please submit all application materials in one complete package to:

Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez
Attention: Jamie Zamora
17906 Crusader Ave., Suite 100
Cerritos, CA 90703

We request that all materials be printed on standard sized paper (8.5” X 11”) and NOT stapled together. All materials submitted to our office will not be returned to the applicant. Any application package not postmarked by November 11, 2008 will NOT be considered. SAT/ACT scores for the November testing dates are the only materials accepted after the deadline.

After we have received your completed application package, we will send you a letter of acknowledgment.

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SELECTION PROCESS

In the middle of November, you will receive notification as to whether or not you passed the initial screening. If you are included in this select group of qualified individuals, you will be scheduled for an interview with Congresswoman Sánchez's Service Academy Selection Committee on a weekend in early January 2009. You will be informed of whether or not you have received a nomination by the end of January 2009.

The selection committee will consist of distinguished members with varied backgrounds. The committee will conduct "whole person" evaluations to determine each candidate's overall qualifications. Specifically, they will examine each candidate's personal character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, goals, motivation to pursue an academy education and desire to serve as a military officer.

Typically, the committee will only consider you for the academy specified as your "first choice" on the application.

You may find the application process for a congressional nomination to be very challenging. If you have any questions or experience difficulty at any time, please do not hesitate to phone, write or e-mail Congresswoman Sánchez.

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