Academy Nominations
Each year I have the privilege of nominating young men and women for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point [http://www.usma.edu/], the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis [http://www.usna.edu///homepage.php], the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs [http://www.usafa.af.mil/index.cfm?catname=AFA%20Homepage] and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point [http://www.usmma.edu/].
Candidates interested in seeking a nomination from my office to one of these academies must complete the on-line data form and mail it to my office in addition to applying directly to the Academy's Admissions office. If you contact other nominating sources, such as your U.S. Senators, be certain to confirm their deadlines and application requirements as procedures may differ between offices.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy manages its own selection process based on a nationwide merit-based competitive process. No congressional nominations are required. All applicants must apply directly to the Coast Guard Academy's Admissions office. For further information, visit their website at www.cga.edu.
Basic Requirements for Service Academy Eligibility
• Must be at least 17, but not yet 23 years-of-age by July 1st of year of admission to the academy
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must be unmarried
• Cannot be pregnant or have legal obligation to support a child or other dependents
• Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy
Nomination Process and Requirements
My selection process consists of several factors, including the completion of my nomination application data sheet and an interview before my Academy Nomination Board. In choosing nominees, I will consider:
• Application Data Sheet
• Academic Transcript
• SAT/ACT Score Sheet
• List of Extra Curricular Activities
• Essay (between 500 and 1000 words), detailing "Why I Want to Attend the Academy."
• An Interview before my Academy Nomination Board
• Optional: Letters of recommendation not required, but two may be submitted.
Please contact Andrew Lund in my District Office with questions on the nomination process, and for the specific requirements for submitting the information above.
Complete the Application
My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors as of that date and will be seniors the following year, or who have already graduated.
The application deadline is the last Friday in October. Completed applications should be returned to my Solana Beach Office to the attention of Andrew Lund.
Interviews and Nominations
Those candidates who have sent completed applications to my office by the deadline will be interviewed by my Academy Nomination Board. Based upon the recommendations of the board, I typically will nominate up to 10 candidates for each academy using a competitive method. I will announce those nominations in December.
Offers of Appointment
The admissions departments of the academies will make the final decision on which candidates will be offered admission. Offers of Appointment are announced on a rolling basis. The Academies will notify most candidates of their final status by April 15th.
If you are not selected, you are welcome to reapply the following year. Many applicants succeed after an additional year of preparation.
Good Luck!