ACADEMY INFORMATION FOR CLASSES
ENTERING THE FALL OF 2013

Dear Prospective Nominee:

Congratulations on taking the first step towards an appointment at one of the United States military's service academies: the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy. As both a United States Senator and a Naval Reserve officer with 22 years of service, I am honored to have the duty of nominating young men and women to these outstanding institutions. Upon graduation, you will join an elite cadre of officers poised to lead the U.S. uniformed services into whatever challenges this great nation may face.

To meet basic eligibility requirements for entry into a service academy, a candidate must:

• Be at least 17 years of age but not 23 years of age by July 1 of the year admitted
• Be a U.S. citizen at time of enrollment 
• Be unmarried 
• Not be pregnant or have a legal obligation to support a child, children or other dependents
• Have a legal domicile within the boundaries of the state of Illinois

The following items are required from all candidates:

1. Completed application form with photograph attached.

2. Official high school transcript which includes six (6) semesters and clearly indicates
your grade point average and class rank. If you are already a high school graduate,
please submit an official eight (8) semester high school transcript. If you are attending college, please submit some indication of your progress.

3. Official SAT/ACT scores. When you take the examinations, indicate CODE
7125 for ACT or CODE 1186 for SAT to ensure copies are sent to Senator Kirk. Some high school transcripts include these scores, so check with your school. The October 2012 test score is the last date Senator Kirk will accept.

4. Three (3) letters of recommendation, one from a teacher, principal or guidance counselor; one from an employer, coach or extracurricular faculty advisor; and from any person of your choice who is not related to you.

All application materials must be submitted to:

Senator Mark Kirk
230 S. Dearborn Suite 3900
Chicago, Illinois 60604

THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING YOUR FILE IS NOVEMBER 1, 2012. Print a copy of the application by clicking here.

From the pool of prospective nominees, I will make nominations after considering the recommendation of my "Select Screening Committee" (SSC). The SSC is composed of Illinois veterans, educators and academy graduates. The SSC will review all completed files and applicants will be notified in December 2012.

It is important for you to remember that while Members of Congress and select government officials nominate candidates, the final appointment rests with each academy. Therefore, it is imperative that you have an open file with each of the service academies where you are interested in attending. The service academies may be contacted at:

United States Naval Academy
USNA Candidate Guidance Office
Annapolis, MD 21402-5018
http://www.usna.edu/Admissions

United States Air Force Academy
Admissions Office
USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025
http://academyadmissions.com

United States Military Academy
Admissions Office
600 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996-9902
http://admissions.usma.edu

United States Merchant Marine Academy
Office of Admissions
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699
http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/default.shtml

Applying for Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy:
The Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) does not require a nomination for appointment. For information about the USCGA, you may write:

United States Coast Guard Academy
Admissions Office
New London, CT 06320
http://admissions.uscga.edu/i2e/admissions

If you have any questions, please call my Chicago office at (312) 886-3506.