U.S. Service Academy Application Process

Each Member of Congress may nominate candidates for a limited number of vacancies at each of the five U.S. Service Academies. Congressman Matheson will make up to ten nominations for each vacancy.

High school students should begin considering the application process in the spring of their junior year. Candidates are selected on a competitive basis, using criteria determined by the service academies to be indicative of the candidate's potential for success as a Cadet, Midshipman, or Airman. Applicants must also meet the following basic eligibility requirements as of July 1 of their prospective year of entry:

  • Age- You must be 17, but not have passed your 23rd birthday.
  • Citizenship- You must be a United States citizen.
  • Marital Status- You must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation for support of a child or other dependents.
  • Residency- You must reside within the Second Congressional District.

During the nomination process, you will be evaluated on your academic qualifications, leadership ability, and physical aptitude. Final decisions will be made after an interview with Congressman Matheson's Academy Nomination Review Board. Decisions will be made based upon the quality of submitted materials and the interview score. All applicants will be notified of nomination decisions by mail.

You can also obtain additional information about the Academy admissions process through your high school counselor or the Academy Liaison Officer.

Instructions to the Class of 2015 (entering 2011-2012 Academic Year)

  1. Open a pre-candidate file with each of the service academies to which you seek a nomination at the beginning of the selection process.
  2. Complete and submit the online application form through Congressman Matheson’s website.
  3. Mail a one-page resume and a sealed copy of your high school transcript, including standardized test scores, to:

    Office of Congressman Jim Matheson
    Attn: Academy Nomination
    240 East Morris Avenue, Suite 235
    South Salt Lake, UT 84115


  4. Ask two people who know you well to write letters of recommendation on your behalf. Letters should discuss why you would make a good candidate for nomination and should be sent directly to Congressman Matheson at the above address.
  5. Attend the mandatory interview panel with our Nomination Review Board in Salt Lake City. The interview is usually held on a Saturday morning during the end of November or beginning of December. Exact date and location will be posted at a later date. Alternative arrangements will only be made for exceptional cases (i.e. the applicant is out of the country on that date).
  6. It is also advised that you also apply for admission to the academies directly with the Academy Liaison Officer. You may find contact information for each academy through your school counselor, or you may contact my office for further information.

The online application form and all written materials (resume, transcript, test scores, recommendation letters) must be submitted into our office by 5:00 pm on Friday, October 29, 2010.  Late application submissions cannot be accepted. Incomplete files after the October 29th deadline will not be considered for nomination

Please feel free to contact my Salt Lake office at (801) 486-1236 or visit www.house.gov/matheson if you have any questions about the U.S. Service Academy nomination process. You can also obtain additional information about the Academy admissions process through your high school counselor or the Academy Liaison Officer.

Personal Information

Full Legal Name (First, Middle, Last)

Birth Date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Social Security Number (XXX-XX-XXXX)

Academy to which you are applying:

Air Force
Navy
Army
Merchant Marine

Contact Information

Home Phone Number (include Area Code)

Email Address

Parents' Names

Home Mailing Address

City
State Zip

Military Background

Do you have previous military service? Yes No

Is either parent a career military officer? Yes No

If so, state branch, rank, and length of service.

Education

List all high schools attended, beginning with the most recent (include state if outside Utah)

Name Years (i.e. 2003-2004)

Name Years

Name Years

Cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)

SAT/ACT Score

Class Rank (i.e. 5 out of 100)

High School Counselor

Counselor Phone Number

Additional Information

Extracurricular Activities (High school only)

Athletics

Community Service

 

Work Experience
(Include hours per week if possible)

References

Please include contact information for both references. The actual letter of reference should be mailed in separately by the letter writer.

Name

Address

Telephone

Email Address

Name

Address

Telephone

Email Address

Statement of Purpose (500 words maximum)

Please explain your reasons for requesting consideration for an academy nomination. Be specific about the academy or academies to which you are applying. Your statement should discuss your unique qualities, experiences, and the contributions you think you would make to the service academy.

You may either type directly into the text box below or you may cut and paste text from another program.

       
*Required Information.