U.S. Service Academy Nominations

on this page: General Information | Requirements | Final Notes | Forms

General Information

In the 2nd Congressional District, nominations are very sought after and we encourage you to apply for a nomination from every available nominating source.  In addition to Congressman Langevin, the other sources are: Senators Reed and Whitehouse, President Obama and Vice-President Biden (PDF 36KB).

For every vacancy at the U.S. Air Force, Naval, Military and Merchant Marine Academies, there will be ten candidates nominated from my office to compete for that vacancy.  The Academies will then select from my ten nominees, the one candidate they believe to be the most qualified for an appointment.  The other nine nominees will then compete for other available appointments in a nation-wide pool of nominees.

Please note that for admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), Congressional nominations are no longer required or submitted. Therefore, if you are interested in attending the USCGA, please contact them directly at http://www.uscga.edu/.

Each Congressional Office uses a selection process, which is designed to best meet its own needs as well as those of its constituents.  The Office of Congressman Langevin will use the Competitive Nomination method that is favored by the Academies.  The different procedures are often confusing to applicants who apply to more than one office.  Last minute misunderstandings can be avoided by following the instructions of each office.

Requirements

TOP

All applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered by October 31st.

You must be:

  1. At least 17 years of age but not yet 23 years of age.
  2. A citizen of the United States.
  3. Unmarried, not pregnant and have no legal obligations to support a child or a dependent.
  4. A legal resident of the 2nd Congressional District of Rhode Island.

You must furnish:

  1. A completed Application Form:  Enclosed is an application packet.  Formal Candidacy is established upon receipt of the completed application packet.
  2. Essay:  This three-part essay should be typed and no longer than two pages, double-spaced.
  3. Three letters of recommendation:  Enclosed are forms, which can be used for these letters.  Letters may come from teachers, counselors, employers, coaches or anyone else that knows you well.  No more than three letters will be accepted.
  4. Guidance Counselor form and up-to-date transcript: Transcripts must be official and should include your Grade Point Average (GPA), Class Rank and your Junior Year course work.
  5. Summary of extracurricular activities.
  6. A recent photo of the applicant.
  7. College Boards: SAT or ACT scores are required by the Academies for consideration of an appointment.  Applicants are responsible for requesting testing services to provide scores to the Office of Congressman James R. Langevin.  Direct SAT scores will be sent to this office if you indicate 3790 as a Score Recipient on the SAT registration form.  Direct ACT scores use the code 7000.  The applicant will then be furnished an additional copy of the test scores.  Often SAT and ACT scores are listed on your official transcripts from the Guidance Departments of your school.
  8. Application Checklist

Basis for Nomination

  1. School Records: This includes GPA and Class Rank.  The average competitive candidate stands in the upper fifth of their class.
  2. College Boards:  For the most part, a competitive candidate should have SAT scores above 580 on the Verbal Test and above 600 on the Mathematical Test.  Average scores for ACT is 23 for the English and 25 for the Math.  Usually the average composite score is 25.  If your scores do not meet the minimum requirements, you are strongly encouraged to retake the test.  Standards may vary slightly with each Academy. The Selection committee will consider all SAT and ACT through January test dates.
  3. Extracurricular Activities:  These include work, athletics, community service, school clubs and organizations. List positions of leadership and hours spent on these activities.
  4. Motivation:  This is one of the most important considerations, but the most difficult to measure. Motivation and commitment to a military academy rather than a State or Private four-year college can be shown through your essay and your interview with the Selection committee.
  5. Essay:  Each applicant is asked to respond to a three-part essay question.

Final Notes

TOP

If your file is completed and returned on time, you will be notified in late November or early December of the scheduled time for your interview before the Selection Committee and Congressman James R. Langevin.  The Committee is comprised of members of the academic, military and civic communities.

All correspondence and telephone inquires regarding the Service Academies can be directed to:
Ken Wild
Office Of Congressman James R. Langevin
300 Centerville Rd., Ste 200 South
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 732-9400
academyRI02@mail.house.gov

Forms

getadobereader.gifYou must get Adobe Acrobat Reader®
to view PDF documents.