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Service Academy Nomination FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on Service Academy Nominations

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

  • Age: Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday
  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
  • Residence: In order to receive a nomination from Congressman Walberg, applicant must reside within the boundaries of the 7th Congressional District of Michigan
  • Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

What is a nomination?

Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following:

  • A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides
  • Both U.S. Senators from his or her state
  • The Vice-President of the United States

It is in your best interest to request a nomination from any available source.

What is the difference between a nomination and an appointment?

A nomination is the authority from a nominating source (see above) for a candidate to be considered for entrance by an academy. An appointment is the actual slot for admission from the candidate’s preferred academy.

Who do I contact to request an application for nomination from Congressman Walberg?

Contact my office at (517) 780-9075 to request a nomination application packet.

When do I apply for a nomination?

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

What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?

The deadline for submitting a nomination packet to my District Office is October 1, 2012 for the students entering academies in the summer of 2013.

What must be included in my nomination file?

A complete nomination file consists of the following items:

  • Completed, signed application
  • Essays requested in application
  • Official high school transcript (and college transcript, if applicable)
  • Official American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
  • Three to five letters of recommendation
  • Current photo (optional)

What happens after I have completed my nomination file?

Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in late October or early November. After the interviews (typically within 2-3 weeks), candidates will be notified by a phone call and in writing of the result of their application.

What criteria are used in selecting candidates?

Nominations are based on a "whole person" evaluation. Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character, motivation, and the results of interviews are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.

Does Congressman Walberg automatically nominate everyone who applies?

No. Applicants will be evaluated and only offered a nomination if their application is competitive.

Can I be nominated by Congressman Walberg to multiple academies?

Yes. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to win multiple appointments. Be sure to rank on your application the academies which you would like to attend if nominated.

How many academies are there?

There are five service academies.

Three reside within the Department of Defense:

One resides within the Department of Transportation:

One resides within the Department of Homeland Security:

Are the requirements the same for all of the service academies?

No. Although many of the qualifications are similar, each academy operates under its own admissions guidelines. Visit the academy of your choice via their websites for each academy's particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.

Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?

Some of the people applicants typically seek recommendations from include:

  • Teachers
  • Counselors
  • Employers
  • Coaches
  • Clergy
  • Scout Leaders

Congressman Walberg does not require a specific recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is sufficient. Please do not submit more than five letters of recommendation.

Will I automatically be selected by the academy after I receive a nomination?

No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the academy will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the academy.

When will I know if I have been offered an appointment by an academy?

Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May. Note that several academies offer rolling appointments, and you may know as early as October or as late as May if you are receiving an appointment.

Can you explain the number of appointments and slots available each year to Congressman Walberg?

Each congressman is given 5 slots for each of three academies (West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy). For each slot that is open, the congressman can nominate up to ten candidates. Thus, if the congressman had four slots open and wished to fill all of them, he could nominate 40 students. The number of slots available (and thus, the number of students that Congressman Walberg can nominate) varies with each year depending upon the cadets/midshipmen currently enlisted. Please note that the Congressman does not have to fill all or even any of the open slots. The Merchant Marine Academy grants 10 slots per congressman per year.

Does Congressman Walberg use the Competitive, Principal, or Principal with Competing Alternates Method?

In the past, Congressman Walberg has used the Competitive Method. Please check with the District Office at 517-780-9075 if you are interested in more information on the nomination methods.

How does the anticipated redistricting of Michigan’s Congressional Districts impact the service academy nominations?

The 7th Congressional District is anticipated to have new district lines at the convening of the 113th Congress in January 2013. However, Congressman Walberg is only authorized to nominate students from his current district, including portions of Calhoun, Eaton, Washtenaw, and Lenawee Counties, and all of Jackson, Hillsdale, and Branch Counties. Students from Monroe County or any portion of the anticipated new 7th Congressional District are not eligible to apply for nominations from Congressman Walberg in 2012, but must apply with their current representative in Congress.