Thank you for your interest in applying for nomination to one of the U.S. service academies. As your U.S. Representative, I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five service academies every year, and this page will guide you through the process of applying for that nomination.
Seeking a Nomination: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nomination?
Members of Congress may nominate any applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from:
- 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
- The Vice-President of the United States through a direct application to his office
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
Each applicant for a nomination from my office must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year they intend to enter a service academy:
- Age: Must be at least 17 years old and not have passed their 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 First Congressional District of Arizona
- Skill/Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical and academic requirements of the Academy
Who do I contact to request an application?
You should contact my Prescott district headquarters at (928) 445-3434 to request a nomination packet. Your high school guidance counselor should also have received the packet.
When can I begin to apply for a nomination?
The nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for 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?
The deadline for submitting a nomination packet to my district headquarters for entrance to an academy in Fall 2011 is October 22, 2010.
What must be included in my nomination file?
A complete nomination file consists of the following items:
- A current photo
- A copy of your high school transcript
- Your American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
- A resume of your extracurricular activities
- An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation
When registering to take the college entrance exams, applicants will be asked to provide a designation institution code so that the College Board can send their test score to the institutions of their choice. They should provide the code 7224 to submit ACT scores and the code 5950 to submit SAT scores.
What happens after I have completed my nomination file?
Applicants who submit a completed nomination file by the deadline will be scheduled for an interview in late October or early November.
What criteria are used to select candidates?
Nominations are based on a "whole person" evaluation. Factors such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character and motivation are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.
How many service academies are there?
There are five service academies.
- U.S. Military Academyat West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut
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.
Most notably, it is not necessary to seek a nomination to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The USGCA accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria, which can be viewed on their website.
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
I do not require a specific recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.
Will I automatically be selected by the service 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 service 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 a service academy?
Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May.
What are my obligations if I accept an appointment to a service academy?
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.
