The privilege of nominating some of the best and brightest students in the 23rd Congressional District to our nation's service academies is one of the most important and meaningful aspects of being a Member of Congress.

Service academy graduates receive a first-rate undergraduate education, equivalent to that provided by a top-tier, Ivy League school, with options to pursue advanced degrees; spend a minimum of 5 years serving their country on active duty as a military officer; and are provided with an education and experience that will provide a world of career opportunities. The full four-year scholarship is valued at more than $350,000 which includes tuition, room and board, medical and dental care and a monthly salary. Students learn discipline, moral ethics and teamwork in a structured environment that fosters leadership and character development.

If you are highly motivated, looking for a challenge in your life and want to serve your country, I hope you will consider attending a service academy. Applicants interested in a nomination should contact my Santa Barbara office at (805) 730-1710 and ask for the individual who oversees academy applications, as well as complete an application for a Congressional nomination which you can download here.

Please take note that the selection process for our nation’s service academies is extremely competitive:

- Selection is based on scholastic achievements, involvement in school and community activities, leadership achievements and athletic achievements.
- Additionally you must reside within the legal boundaries of the 23rd Congressional District of California in order to apply for a nomination from Congresswoman Capps.

What is a service academy?
A service academy is a federal educational institution that prepares officers for our nation's Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard.

How many service academies are in the U.S. and where are they located?
There are five:

The U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY
The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)at Annapolis, MD
The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) at Colorado Springs, CO
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, NY
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) at New London, CT

How do I attend an academy?
Admission to an academy is a competitive two-step process. The first step is to obtain a nomination from an authorized source. The second step is to receive an appointment from the academy. The nomination allows you to compete for the appointment but does not guarantee an appointment.

What is a nomination?
A nomination is the selection made by an authorized source. Title 10 of the U.S. Code establishes two types of nominations: 1) congressional and 2) presidential/military service connected.

Congressional nominations include selections made by 1) the Vice-President, who nominate candidates from any part of the nation, 2) U.S. Senators, who nominate candidates from their entire state, and 3) U.S. Representatives, who nominate candidates that reside within their Congressional District.

What is an appointment?
An appointment is a selection made by the individual academies after you have received a nomination. You will be competing with other nominees in the areas of academics, leadership potential and physical aptitude. An appointment gives you admission to an academy.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for a nomination?
To be eligible for nomination, you must meet the requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

• You must be at least 17 years old, but not past your 23rd birthday.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
• You must reside within the legal boundaries of the 23rd Congressional District of California if you are applying for a nomination from Congresswoman Capps.

Can I apply for a nomination from more then one source?
Yes. Because the nomination and appointment process is competitive you should seek all the nominations for which you are eligible. Every candidate is eligible for the four congressional nominations – one from the Vice-President Joe Biden , one from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, one from U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and one from Congresswoman Capps.

Can I also apply for a presidential nomination?
Yes, if you are eligible. Presidential nominations are reserved for children of career military personnel. To qualify, the parent must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be on active duty and have served continuously on active duty for at least eight years, or
• Be retired with pay or been granted retired or retainer pay, or
• Be a reservist or National Guard member (see Section 12733 Title 10 USC for details), or
• Have died after being retired with pay or being granted retired or retainer pay;
• Have begun adoption proceedings before the child's 15th birthday

Who can apply for the military service nominations?
Children of a deceased or disabled member of the Armed Forces may apply for nomination if the parent was killed or is 100% disabled by wounds or injuries received or diseases contracted while in active service.

Children of armed services members or civilian employees in active government service who are in an officially determined status of missing in action may apply for a nomination.

Children of Medal of Honor recipients from any branch of the armed services may apply for nomination.

How do I apply for a presidential or military service nomination?
Contact the academies for specific instructions.

When should I apply for a nomination?
January of your junior year of high school is the best time to apply. However, you may also apply in your senior year, as well as, after you graduate from high school, as long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements.

What is the deadline for completing my nomination file?
You need to return the initial application form as soon as possible, formal candidacy is established upon receipt of the application. The remainder of the file must be submitted by November 20th.

Why is a personal letter/essay needed?
Your personal letter/essay is very important – this is your chance to explain why you want to attend a service academy. I it doesn't have to be long or elaborate; keep it short, no longer than one page. Be yourself; don't try to impress with fancy language. Remember to proofread – have someone you trust like your parent(s) or your English teacher, check your grammar and spelling.

What if I miss the deadline?
The nomination process is competitive so to be fair to all applicants, if you fail to submit information by the deadline, you will not be considered for an academy nomination.

How should I submit my SAT/ACT scores?
More often than not, test scores are recorded on your high school transcripts. However, you may also have the test results sent directly to Congresswoman Capps' office by the testing agency. The direct reporting code for SAT is 4558.

Can I be nominated to more then one academy?
Yes. It is possible to be nominated to more than one academy. On your application, you will be asked to rank in numerical order your academy preferences. Keep in mind that the nomination process is competitive. How well you compete among the pool of candidates will determine if you are nominated to your first choice. So, only indicate your preference for academies that you are truly interested in attending.

Do I need a nomination to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy?
No. The USCGA is the only service academy that does not require a congressional nomination. To be considered for an appointment to the USCGA you must submit an application and supplemental information to the academy by March 1st of the year of entrance. Since, you are already collecting much of the supplemental information requested by the USCGA, such as high school transcripts, ACT/SAT test scores and evaluations, it is a good idea to submit an application to the USCGA. For more information about the USCGA, visit www.uscga.edu or contact James Kopcsay, USCGA California Admissions Partner by phone at (860) 701-6336 or by email: James.M.Kopcsay@uscga.edu

Should I apply for an ROTC scholarship?
Because the nomination and appointment process is competitive, not all candidates will receive a nomination or an appointment so it is also a good idea to apply for an ROTC scholarship.

What are the basic qualifications for a nomination?
Candidates are evaluated in five areas: moral character, academic record, leadership potential, physical and medical fitness and commitment to the military. The information you provide through your personal letter/essay and references should reflect these basic qualifications:

• Moral character - All candidates are considered of good moral character, unless evidence suggests otherwise.
• A strong academic record - Your high school/college transcripts, class rank and SAT/ACT scores will be evaluated. However, please keep in mind even if you are not a top student, prep school opportunities are available from the USMA, USNA, USAFA and the USCGA.
• Demonstrated leadership potential - List all of your extra-curricular activities, such as participation in sports, school government, clubs, church activities and employment. Also, your references will be asked to provide information about your leadership qualities.
• Physical and medical fitness - The individual academies will make this determination through a physical aptitude and medical examination.
• A commitment to live a military lifestyle – Attending a service academy is not like a normal college. When you accept an appointment to a service academy, you become a member of the U.S. Armed Services, so you must have a desire to serve in the military while obtaining your education.

Who is eligible to attend the prep school at the USMA, USNA, USAFA, and USCGA?
Prep school candidates are students who receive a nomination, but do not meet the academic standards to attend an academy. These students have been deemed to have the ability to benefit from a year at prep school with the goal of admission to an academy. Attendance at a prep school does not guarantee an appointment but prep school graduates are very successful in obtaining a future appointment.

How will I know if I am nominated?
Nominations will be made by mid-December. You will be notified by mail.

Does a nomination guarantee an appointment?
No. A nomination is the selection made by an authorized source and allows a candidate to compete for an appointment.

When will I know if am appointed?
The Academies will begin making appointments in late December. All appointment offers are generally completed by May.

If I do not receive a nomination or an appointment, can I apply again?
Yes. Candidates who apply a second time are very successful in securing a nomination and an appointment.

How can I improve my chances of qualifying academically for a nomination and an appointment?
Your high school preparation should include:

Four years of mathematics courses – including geometry, algebra, and trigonometry.
Pre-calculus and calculus course are also encouraged.
One year of chemistry, with lab if possible.
Four years of English – with special attention on the study and practice of effective writing.
English and American literature courses are also helpful
Two years of a foreign language.
One year of physics, with lab if possible.
One year of U.S. history.
Computer skills.
Courses in geography, government, and economics will be helpful as well.

Can homeschooled students attend an academy?
Yes. While only a small percentage of homeschooled students attend the academies, the numbers are increasing. To be competitive for a nomination, a homeschool curriculum should include all of the courses listed above, in addition to a few courses at a community college, so that the student has traditional classroom experience. It is also important that the student's transcript include:

Course/class title
Length of course and date completed
Grade and grading scale
Cumulative GPA
Curriculum/Course description
Text/Material use
It is also important to let the academies know if your homeschooling is recognized by your local school board or the California State Board of Education.

Why should I participate in extracurricular activities?
Your participation in athletic and non-athletic extracurricular activities will help to demonstrate your ability to meet the physical, time management and leadership demands of four years at an Academy. It's also a good idea to get in excellent physical condition while still in high school. Physical exercise is part of every day life at an Academy. Your first year at an Academy is not the time to whip yourself into shape. Your participation in these activities, as well as a record of part-time employment, will help to show your versatility and your ability to accept responsibility.

Are homeschooled students required to participate in extracurricular activities?
Yes. Homeschooled students face the most challenges in this area. Some local school districts allow homeschooled students to participate in athletics; if not, you will have to be creative to meet this requirement. You will need to participate in some kind of organized athletic activity such as:

Join a local swim, tennis, or gymnastics club and participate in competitions
Compete in community/club organized soccer or lacrosse matches
Play in summer baseball/softball leagues
Run 5K and 10K races
Play basketball with the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club
Non-athletic activities are also important and should not be overlooked.

Participate in leadership:
Work towards an California Congressional Award
Participate in Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
Participate in Boys/Girls State
Join a local band, orchestra or theatrical production

Is it possible to visit the academies?
Yes! Each academy hosts tours for prospective candidates and their parents. These tours are highly advisable, as this will help you decide if academy life is right for you and which academy you would like to attend. For more information about the tours – contact the academies individually.