Click here for Academy Nomination Application

If you are at least a junior in high school and would like to be considered for a nomination to a service academy, you should send a written formal request (including your Name, Address, E-mail Address, Phone Number and Service Academy) to Senator Schumer's New York City office to obtain your application. It is not necessary to send any other documents at this time. if you do not receive an application within 2 weeks of writing, please do not hesitate to contact my office

To be considered for admission to the Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy, an individual must have a nomination either through a Member of the United States Senate or House of Representatives or through a military service connection. Senators nominate applicants in their entire state and Representatives nominate those who are domiciled in their Congressional district. Applicants may and should seek a nomation from both their Senators and Member of Congress.

Senators nominate applicants in their entire state and Representatives nominate those who are domiciled in their Congressional district. Applicants may and should apply to both their Senators and Member of Congress. Since the academies are able to award more appointments than are provided by Congressional vacancies and other categories, NO candidate who is highly qualified needs more than ONE nomination to obtain an appointment. By the same token, no candidate who fails to meet academy standards will benefit by having multiple nominations.

In order that more New York applicants will have an opportunity to be reviewed by the academies, please let me know immediately if you are nominated by another source. Each Congressional office uses a selection process which is designed to meet its own needs and standards. The different procedures are often confusing to applicants who apply to more than one office. Last minute misunderstandings can be avoided by carefully studying and following the instructions of each office. Certain information is required in order for you to be considered as an applicant. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to submit this information and keep it updated. Completed applications must be received at our office by November 1 because there must be adequate time to assess each candidate's qualifications. Applications received after that date cannot be considered.


General Requirements

  • Be at least 17 but not yet 23 years of age.
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Not be married, pregnant, or have a legal obligation to support a child or children.
  • At least a senior in high school. Graduation from high school before admittance to a military academy is required.

Application Requirements

  • Once received, the application must be filled out, signed and returned (by mail) along with the requested documents by the NOVEMBER 1 deadline. Expect to have to include the following with your completed application packet:
    • Three letters of recommendation written by a teacher, counselor, principal, employer, etc. — someone who knows you well, need to be included in your application packet.
    • Optional essay;
    • A copy of your high school transcript must be submitted. This transcript must show your final junior grades and numerical class rank. If you apply before this information is available, it is your responsibility to request your guidance counselor to send an up-to-date transcript and to keep your records current.
    • SAT or ACT scores; the numerical code to have your scores sent directly to my office is 2202 for the SAT and 7163 for the ACT.
    • Applicant must be legally domiciled in the state of New York (i.e., where applicant or parents are registered to vote).

    Please make early contact with the academy of your choice. In order for you to receive a nomination, the academy needs to have all the required forms and your file must be complete.

    You will need to send me a copy of your ACT or SAT test scores. Applicants are responsible for registration for testing and for requesting scores. Information concerning SAT and ACT tests are available to you at the counseling office in your high school or by writing:

College Entrance Examination Board (SAT)
Box 592, Princeton NJ 05840
or Box 1025, Berkeley CA 94701

Registration Department
American College Testing Program (ACT)
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City IA 52240

In order for you to be considered, you must meet certain medical qualifications. The specific qualifications will be detailed in the information you will receive from the academy. At no cost to the applicant, medical examinations will be scheduled with the Department of Defense medical Examination Review Board after a pre-candidate file has been started.


Selection Process

Selections are made competitively on the basis of a composite of academic factors and leadership potential, extracurricular activities, physical fitness, and recommendations. The following are included:

  • School records, class rank and grade point average.
  • Extracurricular activities
  • College Board Scores (ACT or SAT)
  • Motivation. One of the most important considerations in the selection of nominees is motivation the candidate's desire to attend an academy. It is also the most difficult to measure. To an extent, motivation can be judged by a candidate's diligence in completing his/her file, which is one reason those with incomplete files are not considered for nominations. In addition, candidates are invited but not required to write an essay on their reasons for wanting to attend an academy. The essay is optional, but it could be most helpful to your candidacy.

Visiting the Academies

United States Naval Academy
Department of the Navy
Annapolis MD 21402
(410) 267-4361
 
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Admissions Office
Kings Point NY 11024
(516) 773-5391
 
United States Air Force Academy
Admissions Office
HQ USAFA/RR
USAF Academy CO 80840-5651
(719) 472-3070
United States Military Academy
Director of Admissions
606 Thayer Road
West Point NY 10996-9902
(914) 938-4041


All completed applications should be forwarded to the NYC office by US Mail or private delivery service. Faxed applications are not acceptable. The mailing address is as follows:

Senator Charles E. Schumer
780 Third Avenue
Suite 2301
New York NY 10017
Attn: Academy Coordinator

Telephone inquiries may be directed to: (212) 486-4430

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