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Academy Nominations

The United States Service Academies have educated some of our nation’s finest leaders. Considered to be among the top academic institutions in the country, these schools are still graduating some of the nation’s best and brightest.

Students may apply for nomination to one or more of the following academies. Please find listed below, the addresses, telephone numbers, and web pages of the service academies. Students may want to request a catalog. I hope you share this information regarding these wonderful education and service academies with America's future leaders.

The service academies search for candidates with extraordinary academic, physical, and leadership skills. Regrettably, even a Congressional Nomination does not guarantee admission.

	U.S. Military Academy: Director of Admissions Building 606 Thayer Road West Point, NY 10996 (845) 938-4011 Web Site
	U.S. Naval Academy: US Naval Academy 117 Decatur Road Annapolis, MD 21402 (410) 293-4361 Web Site
	U.S. Air Force Academy: HQ USAFA/RRS, 2304 Cadet Dr Ste 200 USAF Academy, Colorado, 80840 (719) 333-3070 Web Site
	U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Admissions Office Steamboat Road Kings Point, NY 11024 800-732-6267 Web Site
	U.S. Coast Guard Academy: The U.S. Coast Guard does not require Congressional nominations. I have included this link for your information

Nominations

To be considered for admission to any military academy, an applicant must have a nomination through either a congressional office or activities related to military service. Applicants who meet eligibility requirements may apply for and receive nominations from both sources. Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to a military academy:

• Applicants are required to be between the ages of 17 and 22
• Applicants are required to be citizens of the United States
• Applicants must be unmarried, not pregnant and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents
• Applicants must have minimum SAT scores of 550 verbal and 540 math OR minimum ACT scores of 24 English, 25 Math, 22 Reading, 25 Science Reasoning
• Applicants must rank in the upper 40% of their class
• Applicants must have outstanding participation and performance in high school activities (athletic and non-athletic)
• Applicants must have good moral standing

The Nomination Process

I accept nominations postmarked through December 1st from residents of the 8th Congressional District of Virginia who wish to attend one of the Service Academies beginning in July of the following year. Each applicant must submit the following materials:

• An introductory letter specifying which academy you are applying for and explaining why you would like to attend that academy.
• SAT or ACT scores
• A copy of your high school transcripts. If you are attending college or any post-secondary school, include transcripts for that as well.

To assist me in selecting the most qualified candidates, I have formed a Screening Committee to review each applicant. The selection process is very competitive. My office will submit a list of up to ten nominees from an unranked slate for each vacancy. The academies then select the most qualified candidates to fill the vacancies.

Interviews through my office for all eligible applicants are performed by my Screening Committee and the selection process is very competitive. My office submits a list of ten nominees from an unranked slate for each vacancy. The academies then select the most qualified candidates to fill the vacancies.

Candidates may contact Bryan Spoon in my Alexandria office by phone at (703) 971-4700 or email bryan.spoon@mail.house.gov to request information about obtaining a nomination.

You are also welcome to download the 2009 Application by clicking here.

Please note the following:
The Coast Guard Academy bases admissions on competitive nationwide examinations and does not have a Congressional Nominee Program for applicants. Application is made directly to the Academy, Office of the Director of Admissions, New London, CT 06320. For additional information, go to http://www.cga.edu/admissions/admissions.htm or call 1.800.883.USCG (8724).

ROTC

Another option to consider is the Reserve Officer Training Corps. ROTC offers full scholarships to more than 1,000 Colleges and Universities throughout the country. These scholarships are highly competitive, training young men and women to become an officer in any branch of the military. For more information on ROTC scholarships please click here.

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