What is a nomination?
Students interested in attending one of the five United States Service Academies must seek a nomination for appointment from one of the following authorities as designated by law:
- A member of the U.S. House of Representatives: you may seek a nomination from your Member of Congress.
- U.S. Senators: you may seek nominations from either Senator who represents the state in which you reside.
- Vice President of the United States: Exceptionally well-qualified students may submit their application materials directly to the Vice President for consideration for one of his or her nominations. Candidates may apply for a Vice Presidential nomination regardless of their state of residence so long as they meet the eligibility criteria below.
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
Each applicant 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 turned 23 years old;*
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen;
- Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not expecting, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents;
- (If pursuing a nomination from Congressman Himes) Residence: Must have a permanent residence within the boundaries of Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District;
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy.
* Candidates for admission to the Merchant Marine Academy must be at least 17 years old, but not have passed their 25th birthday by July 1 of the year of admission.
Who do I contact to request an application?
You can complete the application online here. Should you have any questions, please contact Congressman Himes’ Bridgeport Office at (203) 333-6600 for assistance.
When do I apply for a nomination?
The nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for rising high school seniors or high school graduates who will be under the age of 23 by July 1st of their year of admission.
What is the deadline for completing a nomination application?
The deadline for submitting your application is normally mid-October. Please contact the Himes Bridgeport office at (203) 333-6600 with additional questions.
What must be included in my nomination application?
A complete nomination file consists of the following items:
- High school transcript
- Completed application
- Short answer question
- Long answer question (500 words or less)
- Minimum of three letters of recommendation
- American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
What happens after I have completed my application?
Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in late November.
How are candidates selected?
Candidates are selected to receive nominations based on a holistic evaluation. Factors taken into consideration include: academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character and motivation.
How many academies are there?
There are five service academies.
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U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
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U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
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U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado
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U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
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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 requirements are similar, each Academy sets its own admissions criteria. Additional Academy-specific admission criteria may be found on the websites above. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), as the USCGA accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.
Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
Some of the people from whom applicants typically seek recommendations include:
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Employers
- Coaches
- Clergy
- Scout Leaders
A specific recommendation form is not required. A standard letter of recommendation is sufficient.
Will I automatically be selected by an 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.
Can I pursue nominations to multiple Academies?
Yes. You can receive nominations to multiple academies depending on how competitive your application is among the pool of candidates.
If I win multiple nominations, can I receive appointments from more than one Academy?
Yes, if you receive multiple nominations and complete applications to multiple Academies, it is possible you could receive 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.