Military Academy Nominations

Each year I have the privilege of nominating young men and women for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point.

Candidates interested in seeking a nomination from my office to one of these academies must complete the on-line data form and mail it to my office in addition to applying directly to the Academy's Admissions office. If you contact other nominating sources, such as your U.S. Senators, be certain to confirm their deadlines and application requirements as procedures may differ between offices.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy manages its own selection process based on a nationwide merit-based competitive process. No congressional nominations are required. All applicants must apply directly to the Coast Guard Academy's Admissions office. For further information, visit their website at www.cga.edu.

Academy Nominees 2012

Basic Requirements for Service Academy Eligibility
•    Must be at least 17, but not yet 23 years-of-age by July 1st of year of admission to the academy
•    Must be a citizen of the United States
•    Must be unmarried
•    Cannot be pregnant or have legal obligation to support a child or other dependents
•    Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

Nomination Process and Requirements
The following materials are required to be submitted to my office no later than October 30th of the applicant's senior high school year:

1.    Application form: All applicable blanks must be completed.

2.    SAT or ACT scores: My ACT code is 7289. My SAT code is 4159. Only official test score results sent directly from the testing service are accepted. In order to ensure that test results are sent to my office by the above deadline, you should take the exam at the earliest possible date. Contact your school guidance office for details about the exams.

3.    High school (and college, if applicable) grade transcript: including grade point average on a four point scale and class rank. Because not all schools include grade point average and class rank, you should contact your school registrar to ensure that these figures are provided. Transcripts must include grades at least through the junior year for high school students and for college students, the most recent semester successfully completed.

4.    Motivational Essay (between 500 and 1000 words), detailing "Why I Want to Attend the Academy." This should be summary of your reasons for pursuing a career as a military officer through an academy.

5.    Recent photograph. (Attached to the application).

6.    Extracurricular activities: include descriptions of your participation in: A) Community Service; B) School Activities (athletics, academics, student government, arts, clubs, etc.); C) Military service; D) Any other extracurricular activities.  Please also include leadership positions held and any awards or honors you may have received.  You should also describe any employment experience, including the number of hours per week you have worked, whether after school or during the summer.

7.    Optional: Letters of recommendation not required, but two may be submitted: All letters must be signed.  These letters should be written either by a teacher, your school principal, church leader, employer, etc.—people who know you well.   At least one of these recommendations should be from someone who knows your academic record.  It is your responsibility to ensure all recommendations are returned to my office by the deadline.

Academy Nomination Application Checklist

My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors as of that date and will be seniors the following year, or who have already graduated.

The application deadline is October 31, 2012. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Will Zasadny in my District Office via email at Will.Zasadny@mail.house.gov

Attn: Will Zasadny
380 Stevens Avenue, Suite 212
Solana Beach, CA 92075
(858) 350-1150

Interviews and Nominations

Those candidates who have sent completed applications to my office by the deadline will be interviewed by my Academy Nominations Board. Based upon the recommendations of the board, I typically will nominate up to 10 candidates for each academy using a competitive method. I will announce those nominations in December.

Offers of Appointment

The admissions departments of the academies will make the final decision on which candidates will be offered admission. Offers of Appointment are announced on a rolling basis. The Academies will notify most candidates of their final status by April 15th.

If you are not selected, you are welcome to reapply the following year. Many applicants succeed after an additional year of preparation.

Good Luck!