Service Academy Nominations
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies. As your 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 grants you a fully-funded education and comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.
To apply for my nomination, please fill out a Service Academy Nomination Form. Physical applications are available at the district offices in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
If you are interested in attending the 2020 Service Academies Congressional Nomination virtual information session, happening on September 18, 2020, at 3:30PM, please visit this page.
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
- The President of the United States, who nominates children of career military personnel, deceased or disabled veterans, military or civilian personnel in missing status, and Medal of Honor recipients;
- The Vice President of the United States, who nominates five individuals from across the United Sates per year; and
- The Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, who nominates members of regular military, reserve components, and participants in the ROTC.
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 your 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
- Skill/Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the academy.
Who do I contact to request an application?
Contact your congressional district office to request a nomination packet, or fill out a Service Academy Nominations Form.
When do I apply for a nomination?
My nomination application period opens August of each year for candidates starting their senior year in high school, or those who have already graduated.
What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?
The deadline for submitting a nomination packet for school year 2020-2021 is December 11, 2020.
What must be included in my nomination file?
A complete nomination file consists of the following items:
- Official high school transcript
- American College Testing Program (ACT) or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
- List of extracurricular activities
- An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
- Minimum of two letters of recommendation
What happens after I have completed my nomination file?
Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will hear back from the congressional office in December or January for an interview or nomination for appointment.
What criteria is 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 and motivation are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.
How many academies are there?
There are five service academies.
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut
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 USCGA accepts candidates based on their own criteria.
Where may Congressman Sablan make nominations for the upcoming admissions cycle?
For the 2020 admissions cycle, there are slots available for students from the Northern Mariana Islands at the following Service Academies:
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - 1 vacancy
- U.S. Military Academy - 2 vacancies
- U.S. Naval Academy - 2 vacancies
- U.S. Air Force Academy - 1 vacancy
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
I do not require a specific recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.
What are the SAT and ACT codes for the service academies and the congressional office?
Institution codes are needed when you register for SAT and ACT program tests or to send official score reports. Codes for each service academy and your congressional office are as follows:
SAT:
USMA – 2924
USNA – 5809
USAFA – 4830
USMMA – 2923
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan – 6348
ACT:
USMA – 2976
USNA – 1742
USAFA – 0530
USMMA – 2974
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan – 7596
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 gain 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 starting in February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May.
Recent FAQ's:
Do I have to take the ASVAB to apply for the service academies?
No, academy applicants do not have to take the ASVAB to apply to the academies.
Can the ASVAB substitute for ACT/SAT scores?
No, the ASVAB cannot be used to substitute for the required SAT or ACT test.
Why can’t I be married or have dependents to be eligible to apply?
Regulations prohibit students from being married, having dependents, or having dependent responsibilities. This means your marital status must be single, and you must have no children. Dependents include a spouse by marriage, having a birth child, step child, or adopted child whether or not you provide support to said dependent. Also, if admitted to an academy, you may not acquire any dependents while a midshipman or cadet. There are several reasons why. First, most of your time, energy, and attention will be taken up just getting through the program. Second, all cadets and midshipmen live at the respective academies, no exceptions. There is no housing for families at the academies. Third, student stipend pay is much too low to support a family.
Are there any fees at the academies that I would be responsible for?
No, there is no tuition, fees, or financial aid at the service academies. The services pays 100% of the tuition, room and board, medical and dental care costs of all cadets or midshipmen. This means ALL students who attend the academies do so on a full scholarship in return for 5 years of active duty service upon graduation.
Do I have to pay for lodging fees?
No, there are no lodging fees. Students also enjoy regular active-duty benefits including access to military commissaries and exchanges, and discounts at various commercial establishments.
Are there summer programs for high school students?
Yes, all the academies have a one week summer program for rising seniors normally held in June. The highly competitive programs give high school students a week to experience life as a cadet/midshipman to inform their college selection decision. They are fast-paced programs of academic classes, military training, physical fitness training, and intramural athletics. Students who attend summer programs are responsible for transportation to and from the academies.
Can outside scholarships be applied at the service academies?
The service academies are federally-funded military institutions. All students are on Active Duty Status as members of the United States Army and receive an annual salary. All student expenses, including tuition, room & board, and supplies are paid for by the federal government. In exchange, all graduates from the academies are required to serve no fewer than 5 years in the United States Armed Forces. Since all tuition and fees are covered by the academies, and midshipmen and cadets receive monthly stipends, federal financial aid programs do not apply.
(Except at the Merchant Marine Academy. There is also no tuition or room/board charged to USMMA students. The government covers the cost of their uniforms and books. However, other normal expenses (purchase of laptop at the outset of their first year, activity and service fees, etc.) are the responsibility of the students. Midshipmen at the USMMA are not paid a monthly stipend as cadets/midshipmen are at the DoD and DHS academies. To help financially-needy or economically-disadvantaged students meet their other normal expenses, the USMMA participates in several federal financial aid programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Loans available to USMMA midshipmen include student Stafford loans and parent PLUS loans. Grants available include, PELL. In addition, those students eligible to receive “outside” scholarships are encouraged to apply for them, as those can be used to satisfy their billed expenses.)
Are there are any specific courses that I need to take in high school to be considered for the academies?
Academic preparation and performance are very important. The academies do not require a specific number of courses or units of study as a prerequisite for admission. Competitive candidates typically average five college preparatory courses per semester and will complete four years of English, four years of mathematics through pre-calculus or higher, four years of science (to include chemistry with a laboratory), three years of social studies and two years of a foreign language. Many appointees have taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment courses. Overall, a strong college preparatory program taken in high school is highly recommended.
Is there a minimum SAT/ACT score at any of the academies?
The academy admissions process uses the “whole candidate” concept which seeks well-rounded candidates who demonstrate excellent academic ability, leadership potential, and overall fitness. There is no minimum SAT or ACT score but low scores are likely to disqualify candidates. Approximately 75 percent of the entering class comes from the top 20 percent of their high school class. Mean SAT test scores for a recent class are Math-654, English-627. Mean ACT scores are Math-29, Verbal-29, Reading-30, Science Reasoning-28.
Candidates will normally enhance their competitiveness by taking the SAT and/or the ACT more than once.
Can I enlist in the military and still apply for a service academy before my contractual obligation is up?
Yes, enlisted members may apply for the academies. The Secretary of the appropriate service may nominate enlisted members of the regular and the reserve components. The member’s command would nominate interested individuals and agree to let them leave their units prior to an appointment.
Are there any health conditions that would make me ineligible for the service academy? For example, is asthma a disqualifier?
The academy program are physically challenging. All candidates are required to undergo a thorough medical examination because academy graduates are commissioned in a wide variety of career fields with strict medical standards. There are many disqualifying medical conditions, including asthma. Medical waivers may be granted in limited circumstances. For more information, students may go to https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/MedicalAppendix1.pdf.
Is there “boot camp” or physical training in the service academies?
All appointees begin their first year with a rigorous, seven-week orientation program that introduces them to military life. Upper-class students instruct in military topics ranging from customs and courtesies, the Honor Code, military heritage to marching and room inspections. Students demonstrate proficiency through knowledge tests, drill, rifle-manual competitions, parades and inspections. Daily physical conditioning training includes strenuous exercises, running and competitive sports. All activities condition students to meet the physical and mental demands of the academic school year.
Do the service academies pay for medical evaluations and transportation to and from Guam?
Nominees are responsible for transportation costs to and from Guam for the required medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board.
If appointed, do the service academies pay for transportation to get there?
Yes, transportation costs to the academy are fully covered for those who receive appointments.
What are the physical requirements for the academies?
In order to qualify for admission to the Service Academies, you must take the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). The CFA consists of six physical and motor fitness events that are designed to measure muscular strength and endurance, cardio-respiratory endurance, power, balance, and agility. When administered together as a single battery, these six events will help the Admissions Board determine if a candidate possesses the stamina and movement skills required to successfully complete the physical program and perform the duties required of commissioned officers in the uniformed services. You should remember that your score is a combination of your best efforts on each of the six events. Strive for excellence and the highest possible score. Although the CFA is Pass-Fail, it is imperative that you perform to the best of your ability on each of these events:
- Basketball Throw
- Pull-Ups/Flexed Arm Hang
- Shuttle Run
- Modified Sit-Ups (Crunches)
- Push-Ups
- One Mile run
For more information, go to https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Candidate-Fitness-Assessment.php or https://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/fitness-assessment/.
Is there a GPA requirement?
There is no specific GPA minimum. However, you should strive to be among the top (20 percent) of your high school class.
If I apply for a nomination this year, will I have to apply again next year?
Yes, all service academy nomination applicants must apply. Students who wish to reapply in a subsequent year must submit a new application.
If I get into prep school, will I need to apply again later?
Prep school students seeking a nomination would need to submit an additional application. Previously submitted materials need not be resubmitted.
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To apply for my nomination, please fill out a Service Academy Nominations Form.
