Start by researching each academy
Compare the branch, majors, campus environment, service commitment, nomination rules, and career paths after graduation. Students should also keep ROTC and civilian college options active while they explore.
Move from pre-candidate to candidate
Most applicants begin with a preliminary application or pre-candidate questionnaire. Competitive students are then invited into a fuller candidate phase with portals, essays, recommendations, activities, transcripts, and test scores.
Applications and nominations work together
The application process for the academies is one of the things that makes these colleges so highly regarded. Each of the academies besides the Coast Guard Academy includes pre-candidate questionnaires. These usually open during your junior year of high school. They are required before the final application process, which usually opens around July before senior year.
Compared to most colleges, several service academies also require a congressional nomination. This includes the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, West Point, and the Merchant Marine Academy. The Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.
What is a Congressional Nomination?
A congressional nomination is a recommendation from a U.S. senator, U.S. representative, or the Vice President. It is required for most federal service academies, except the Coast Guard Academy.
A typical applicant may apply to both U.S. senators, their U.S. representative, the Vice President, and any service-connected source for which they are eligible. Applying broadly can help, but every office has its own process.
Each nominating office sets its own deadline, forms, essays, recommendation rules, interview process, and academy preference instructions. Nomination applications are tied to a specific admissions cycle, so students should verify current rules every year.
Official Nomination Resources
Use the official resources below to learn about nomination requirements and application procedures.
Complete fitness, medical, and nomination steps
The Candidate Fitness Assessment and DoDMERB medical process can take time, so students should respond quickly to instructions and follow-up requests. Most academies also require a nomination; the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.
Prepare for interviews and final decisions
Students may interview with nomination panels, academy liaison officers, or admissions representatives. An appointment is an offer of admission. Students may also see prep school, waitlist, ROTC, or civilian college outcomes.