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Service Academy Nominations

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Welch has the privilege of nominating a limited number of individuals each year to four of the five service academies.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Congressman Welch may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district. To request a Service Academy Nomination from our office, please review the Academy Nominations Instructions and then submit a completed Academy Nomination Application to Congressman Welch’s Vermont office.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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: Must 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: Permanent residence must be in Vermont.
  • Skill / Fitness: Must be able to meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

Who do I contact to request an application?

Contact the Vermont office at (802) 652-2450 to request a nomination packet.

When do I apply for a nomination?

The 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 the Vermont Office is December 1.

What must be included in my nomination file?

A complete nomination file consists of the following items:

  • Application
  • 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

How many academies are there?

There are five service academies.

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's website for each academy's particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as it 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

A specific recommendation form is not required. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.

Will I automatically be admitted to the academy after I receive a nomination?

No. A nomination does not guarantee you admission to an Academy; it represents only one component of a complete application. You will still need to meet the rigorous admission standards for the school.

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.