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Introduction

In order to attend a U.S. Service Academy, you must have a nomination. There are several nominating sources. If you live in Arizona, Senator Kyl is a potential nominating source for you.

Senator Kyl nominates candidates statewide. He uses the competitive method of nominating applicants to the U.S. Service Academies. Each Member of Congress may nominate 10 candidates each year to each of the following academies: U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, and U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Applicants wishing to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy do not need a nomination and must apply directly to the academy.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates may first apply for a congressional nomination in their junior year of high school. However, college credits are not transferable to an academy.  If you receive a nomination and an appointment, you will be tested and placed at an appropriate academic level upon entering the academy.

A candidate must be a U.S. citizen, age 17 to 22 (age 17 to 24 for the Merchant Marine) as of July 1 of the year entering the academy, and maintain a permanent Arizona residence. If a student is under 18 years of age, the parents' permanent state of residence must be Arizona. You may also apply after completing high school.

Strong math and science courses in high school help prepare students for the academy curriculum. Consideration is given to academic record, class rank, extracurricular activities, SAT/ACT test scores, and leadership experiences.

Because the standardized SAT/ACT tests are an important indicator of your academic ability, it is recommended that you take them early and as often as possible. Each of these tests has a slightly different emphasis, so you should take both to reflect your true potential. The academy considers the highest test score received in each category (Math and Critical Reading/English), regardless of when that score was received. If you wait until your high school senior year to take the tests, you may not have the opportunity to retake them if your scores are not at a competitive level. At least one set of test results must be received in Senator Kyl's Phoenix office by October 11, 2012 . You may provide a photocopy of an official report or have the report sent directly by designating Senator Kyl's code: SAT #0230, ACT #7105. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide a copy of the test reports.

The test scores for the most recent class entering the academies are as follows:

    MEAN SAT-1 SCORES MEAN ACT SCORES
Air Force Crit Read 640, min 580
Math 666, min 560      
English 30, min 24
Math 30, min 25
Army Crit Read 625, min 560
Math 642, min 560
English 27, min 23
Math 28, min 24
Plus English/Writing required
Navy Crit Read 635, min 590
Math 655, min 640
English 27, min 25
M
ath 29, min 28
Merchant Marine Crit Read 590, min 510
Math 620, min 560
English 26, min 21
Math 28, min 24

Candidates are also required to open a file with the desired academy/academies. Upon opening a file with an academy, candidates who meet the academy's academic standards are scheduled for a physical fitness test and a medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board (DoDMERB). At the time DoDMERB notifies you of the medical facility contact you must schedule the exams as soon as possible.  It may take up to thirty days before the results are received and reviewed by DoDMERB and the academy.  Since Senator Kyl will be retiring in December 2012, you must have completed your DoDMERB exams and be medically qualified by DoDMERB and your desired academy/academies to be considered for a nomination.

Academy Summer Programs

The academies offer one week summer programs for high school juniors.  The programs are scheduled during June each year and selection is highly competitive.   Online applications open in January and close mid-March each year.  You must have taken one of the College Board tests prior to applying.  Look on the academies’ web sites for more information about their summer programs.

Senator Kyl's Application Process

A candidate file will be opened in Senator Kyl's office upon receipt of a completed application form, which must include a small photo of the applicant. An official high school transcript, including cumulative GPA and class rank, will be required. The application packet will include additional information and a check list for all required items. For nominations to the academy class entering July 1, 2013, completed application forms are due in Senator Kyl’s Phoenix office not later than October 4, 2012.  Files must be complete not later than October 11, 2012. Information in a student's file may be updated until December 1, 2012.

If the applicant's file with Senator Kyl is complete, he/she has opened a file with the desired academy/academies, and he/she meets the minimum competitive nomination standards, a personal interview will be scheduled. Senator Kyl's Academy Screening Committee interviews the candidates on one day only, Saturday, November 3, 2012.

The Academy Screening Committee recommends and submits a slate of 10 nominees to each academy. It is each academy's final decision as to who will receive an appointment. Although Senator Kyl is only guaranteed one appointment at each academy, frequently several of his nominees receive appointments.

It is very important to apply through as many nominating sources as possible. This will increase your chances of gaining a nomination. ONLY ONE NOMINATION IS REQUIRED in order for an academy to offer you an appointment.

To request an application form, contact Senator Kyl's Phoenix or Tucson office. Applicants must provide their full name (as recorded on their birth certificate), address, telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number, name of high school, and year of graduation.

Please Senator Kyl's Phoenix office at (602) 840-1891 if you have any questions.


Printable Version

U.S. Air Force Academy

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

U.S. Military Academy in West Point

U.S. Naval Academy

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

 

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