Academy Nominations- FAQ

Frequently asked questions for those seeking a Military Academy nomination. You may also fill out a Military Academy Nominations Form.

Service Academy Nominations

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies. As your 7th District Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five service academies. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please visit www.carson.house.gov or call 317-283-6516. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.

Service Academy Information

 

Applicants must obtain a nomination from either their U.S. Congressman or Senator to be admitted to a United State Service Academy. Young adults who meet the requirements listed below and who have a desire to lead and serve their country are encouraged to apply.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

All candidates applying for a Congressional Nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to a service academy: 

• Candidates must be at least seventeen years of age, and must not have reached their twenty-second birthday by July 1 of the year they seek admission.
• Candidates must be a U.S citizen and legal resident of the State of Indiana.
• Candidates must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
• The acceptance of an appointment to a United States service academy commits a candidate to five years of active duty service after graduation.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested applicants may also send a request for a U.S. Service Academy Nomination Application to my Service Academy Nominations Program Coordinator via email or US mail:
**In your request, please include your name, mailing address, daytime phone number, email address, and the year you plan to enter the academy.

Office of Congressman André Carson
Attn: Heather Harvey
300 E. Fall Creek Pkwy N. Dr.
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Heather.Harvey@mail.house.gov

 

In addition, it is your responsibility to directly contact your academy or academies of choice to request a pre-candidate questionnaire and complete a candidate file. The questionnaire may also be completed online by visiting each academy’s webpage:

• U.S. Military Academy: www.usma.edu
• U.S. Air Force Academy: www.usafa.af.mil
• U.S. Naval Academy: www.usna.edu
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: www.usmma.edu

 

What must be included in my nomination file?

A complete nomination file consists of the following items:

• Current yearbook photo
• Official High school transcript
• Official American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or Official College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
• Resume of extracurricular activities
• Personal Statement (500 words)
• Three letters of recommendation

 

SELECTION PROCESS

Candidates will be evaluated using a competitive system recommended by the academies. The selection process includes a personal interview, and a review of your application, essays, academic records, letters of recommendation, community involvement, character and leadership experience.

Please note that a congressional nomination is not a guarantee of admission. The final decision will be made by the academy itself following a “whole-person” evaluation that considers a candidate’s character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, goals and motivation.

Service Academy Nominations FAQ:

 

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 Indianapolis office is October 15, 2016.

 

What must be included in my nomination file?

A complete nomination file consists of the following items:

• Current photo
• High school transcript
• American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
• Resume of extracurricular activities
• An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
• Minimum of three letters of recommendation

 

What happens after I have completed my nomination file?

Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in mid November or early December.

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 the websites noted 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.

 

Where else can I receive a nomination?

In addition to Congressional Nominations, a student can apply for nominations through their U.S. Senator’s Office. Their office does nominations for five service academies, listed below:

Department of Defense:

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
• U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
• U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs

Department of Transportation:

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York

Department of Homeland Security:

• U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut 

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

What SAT/ ACT code should I use to send scores to your office?

 4427 (SAT)
 7403  (ACT)

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 of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the academy.

What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?

No. 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.

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.