Thank you for your interest in the U.S.
Service Academies. As your 9th 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 a U.S. Service Academy and serving
our country.
Seeking a Nomination
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to be considered for an academy nomination?
The deadline for completing a nomination file in our office is BEFORE
the close of business on December 1.
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 9th Congressional District of Florida.
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet
the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy.
Who do I contact to request an application?
Students seeking nomination should send a letter to my Palm Harbor office
requesting a nomination packet, to include the following info: name, address,
phone number, school attending with graduation date, date of birth, and social
security number.
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 stating why you want
to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
- Minimum of three letters of
recommendation
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. 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
- Employer
- Coaches
- Clergy
- Scout Leaders
Representative Bilirakis 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.
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