U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies. As your 6th District Representative in the U.S.
House, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of
people to four of the five service academies. The honor of attending a
service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the
military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Best wishes to
you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.
SEEKING A NOMINATION
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nomination?
Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility
requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from
the following:
- A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides
- Both U.S. Senators from his or her state
- Apply directly to the Vice-President of the United States
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
Each
applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility
requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:
- Age: Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
- Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
- Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the [an error
occurred while processing this directive] Congressional District of [an
error occurred while processing this directive].
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy.
Who do I contact to request an application?
Click here to print the Academy Nomination Form
When do I apply for a nomination?
My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those
candidates who are high school juniors and will be seniors the
following school year, or who have already graduated.
What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?
This year the deadline for submitting a nomination packet to my District Office is November 3.
What must be included in my nomination file?
A complete nomination file consists of the following items:
- Current photo
- High school transcript
- American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
- Resume of extracurricular activities
- An essay explaining why you feel your high school experiences, including your academic and extracurricular activities, have prepared you to attend a United States Service Academy (250 to 500 words)
- Minimum of three letters of recommendation
What happens after I have completed my nomination file?
Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in late October or early November.
What criteria is used in selecting candidates?
Nominations are based on a "whole person" evaluation. Factors such as
academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills,
physical aptitude, character and motivation are taken into
consideration and compared with other applicants.
How many academies are there?
There are five service academies.
Three reside within the Department of Defense:
Two reside within the Department of Transportation:
Are the requirements the same for all of the service academies?
No. Although many of the qualifications are similar, each academy
operates under its own admissions guidelines. Visit the academy of your
choice via the web sites noted for each academy's particular admissions
qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast
Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own
testing criteria.
Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
Some of the people applicants typically seek recommendations from include:
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Employers
- Coaches
- Clergy
- Scout Leaders
Congressman Cazayoux does not require a specific recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.
Will I automatically be selected by the academy after I receive a nomination?
No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the
academy of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you
will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the
academy.
What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?
No. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well
you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also
possible to win multiple appointments.
When will I know if I have been offered an appointment by an academy?
Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in
February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May.
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