The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), U.S. Military Academy (USMA), U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) require a nomination from an authorized source before consideration for appointment. Authorized sources include your U.S. Senators, U.S. Representative, and the Vice President of the United States. Active military members, children of deceased or disabled veterans and children of career military may qualify for additional sources of nomination and should contact the service academies directly.

The service academies require that applicants:

• Be at least 17 years old but not have passed your 23rd birthday as of July 1st of the year of acceptance.
• Be a U.S. citizen on the day of admission.
• Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no obligation to support children or other dependents.
• Be in good health and physical condition (the academies require a physical before acceptance).

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin requires that applicants:

I. SUBMIT A COMPLETED NOMINATION APPLICATION BY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012 AT 5PM TO:

The completed nomination application is expected to be submitted in one complete packet. A complete packet must include:

1. BASIC FACT SHEET, QUESTIONNAIRE, AND ESSAY
2. OFFICIAL SAT SCORES

   Reporting SAT code for our office: SAT #5468.
   SAT scores are important in evaluating academic preparedness.
   Generally, combined scores of less than 1200 points (SAT math/verbal) are not considered highly competitive.

3. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S): HIGH SCHOOL, PREP SCHOOL, COLLEGE

   High school transcripts must include a list of senior year courses. Prep school or college transcripts must include a list of courses for the fall 2011 semester.

   Official transcripts should be in sealed envelopes that are signed across the flap by a school official.

4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (LOR): THREE REQUIRED

   You must have one LOR from your high school counselor or principal.

   If you are home-schooled, you must have a LOR from an individual who serves in the capacity of your counselor or principal and is not a family member.

   The other two LORs should be from individuals who know you well and can speak to your character and the qualities that will make you a good service academy candidate, e.g. coach, teacher, pastor.

   Letters of recommendation must have original signatures (no copies) and should be in sealed envelopes that are signed across the flap by the person making the recommendation.

   Recommendation letters from family members are highly discouraged.

II. BE AVAILABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW: Each applicant is required to participate in a personal interview.  Interviews will be conducted on Friday, December 7, 2012 and Saturday, December 8, 2012.  USAFA, USMA and USMMA applicants will be interviewed in the Bowie office and USNA applicants will be interviewed in the Baltimore office.

III. COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AT THE SERVICE ACADEMY FOR WHICH YOU ARE SEEKING A NOMINATION BY NOVEMBER 8, 2012.

IV. IF YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION LETTER IN THE MAIL.  IF YOUR APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE, OR IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN E-MAIL.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT SEAN MCKEW IN MY BALTIMORE OFFICE, SEAN_MCKEW@CARDIN.SENATE.GOV OR 410-962-4436.