Service Academies

The competition for an academy nomination is extremely competitive. Students are advised to apply to EVERY nominating authority for which their eligibility allows. Nominating authorities are Wisconsin's two U.S. Senators, your Congressperson, the President, and the Vice President.

Each nominating authority 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.

Each U.S. Representative and Senator may have a maximum of five cadets at the Air Force Academy, Military Academy (West Point), and Naval Academy at any one time. The number of vacancies at these three academies is determined by the number of cadets who either graduate from or leave the academies each year. Generally, each Congressional office has only one vacancy per year for the Air Force, Military, and Naval Academies.

The Merchant Marine Academy appointments are made by the Academy itself, based on statewide nominations from Congress. The State of Wisconsin gets four vacancies each year, and all Wisconsin applicants compete for these four vacancies.

The US Coast Guard Academy is the only service academy which does not use the Congressional nominating process. Students who are interested should apply directly to:

Superintendent
US Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT 06320

Nomination Process

An applicant must register with at least one nominating authority, as well as all academies in which he/she is interested. Certain information is required, as noted below, in order for a student to be eligible for one of Congressman Kind's nominations.

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL MATERIALS TO BE RECEIVED IN CONGRESSMAN KIND'S OFFICE IS MID-OCTOBER OF THE STUDENT'S SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL. This year: October 19, 2012.

Students are required to take responsibility for the completion of their file. Applicants whose files are incomplete will not be considered for a nomination.

Congressman Kind's Academy Selection Board will review a student's file and determine if they qualify to be interviewed for further consideration. Only those applicants who have a completed file, qualifying test scores, and meet all requirements set forth by each academy will be interviewed. If one qualifies, an interview will be scheduled during November or December. A competitive nomination system is used which assures that each applicant has a fair chance to compete for available openings. Nomination notifications are sent in January.

Nomination File

Applications can be obtained by contacting Congressman Ron Kind's office. You can ask for an application to be sent to you by calling (888) 442-8040. A nomination file must be completed by mid-October of the student's senior year in high school and must include the following:

  • Application Form
    • Be thorough and complete. Careful thought should be given to one's first choice of an academy. Second choices can be considered only in the event that there is not a sufficient number of qualified candidates for that particular academy. If there is not enough room on the application form, please feel free to continue on an additional page.
  • High School Transcript
    • An official record of high school records and class rank must be submitted. This transcript must show final junior year grades, grade point average, and numerical class rank. If the application is filed before this information is available, it is the student's responsibility to follow up and provide this information.
  • College Boards
    • The ACT or SAT are the required entrance examinations for admission to the Service Academies. Students are responsible for taking the tests and requesting the scores be sent to the academy/academies and to Congressman Kind's office. It will be necessary for the student to take the test prior to October for purposes of Congressman Kind's office deadline. If the exam is taken in September, a Rush Report should be requested and sent to Congressman Kind directly (for the SAT) or to the student to forward immediately (for the ACT). SAT test scores can be sent to Congressman Kind by listing code number 1971 on the test registration form. The ACT code number is 7756. Please check with your high school guidance counselor for ACT and SAT test dates and information. Congressman Kind's office accepts either exam.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • These letters should be written by those who know the student personally and know their capabilities and weaknesses. LETTERS FROM RELATIVES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please obtain all three letters and send them to Congressman Kind's office with your completed application. BE SURE TO ASK THOSE WRITING YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO NOT SEND THE LETTERS DIRECTLY TO CONGRESSMAN KIND'S OFFICE.