Academy Nominations

To be considered for admission to a service academy, an individual must have a nomination. Title 10, United States Code, establishes two nomination categories: Congressional and Military Service Connected. Because of the extremely keen competition for nominations, you are urged to apply to every nominating source you can, depending upon your eligibility.Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives may nominate applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements established by law.

Senators nominate applicants in their entire state and Representatives nominate those who are domiciled in their Congressional district. Applicants may and should apply to both their Senators and Member of Congress.Since the academies are able to award more appointments than are provided by Congressional vacancies and other categories, no candidate who is highly qualified needs more than one nomination to obtain an appointment. By the same token, no candidate who fails to meet academy standards will benefit by having multiple nominations.

In order that more New York applicants will have an opportunity to be reviewed by the academies, please let me know immediately if you are nominated by another source.Each Congressional office uses a selection process which is designed to meet its own needs and standards. The different procedures are often confusing to applicants who apply to more than one office. Last minute misunderstandings can be avoided by carefully studying and following the instructions of each office.Certain information is required in order for you to be considered as an applicant. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to submit this information and keep it updated. Completed applications must be received at our office by November 1 because there must be adequate time to assess each candidate's qualifications.   Applications received after that date cannot be considered.

General Requirements

 

Be at least 17 but not yet 23 years of age.

Be a citizen of the United States.

Not be married, pregnant, or have a legal obligation to support a child or children.

At least a senior in high school. Graduation from high school before admittance to a military academy is required.

 

Application Requirements

 

Applicant must be legally domiciled in the state of New York (i.e., where applicant or parents are registered to vote).

An application form must be requested in writing, filled out and returned. Click here to see a sample letter requesting an academy application.  All requests for applications must be received by October 16. Formal candidacy is established in my office upon receipt of the application.  All required information must be submitted in a single mailing. If your completed application packet is not received  by November 1, it will be presumed that you are no longer interested.

Three letters of recommendation written by a teacher, counselor, principal, employer, etc. - someone who knows you well, need to be included in your application packet.

A copy of your high school transcipt must be submitted. This transcript must show your final junior grades and numerical class rank. If you apply before this information is available, it is your responsibility to request your guidance counselor to send an up-to-date transcript and to keep your records current.

You will need to send me a copy of your ACT or SAT test scores. Applicants are responsible for registration for testing and for requesting scores. Information concerning SAT and ACT tests are available to you at the counselling office in your high school or by writing: College Entrance Examination Board (SAT) Box 592, Princeton NJ 05840 or Box 1025, Berkeley CA 94701 Registration Department American College Testing Program (ACT) P.O. Box 414 Iowa City IA 52240

Please make early contact with the academy of your choice. In order for you to receive a nomination, the academy needs to have all the required forms and your file must be complete.

In order for you to be considered, you must meet certain medical qualifications. The specific qualifications will be detailed in the information you will receive from the academy. At no cost to the applicant, medical examinations will be scheduled with the Department of Defense medical Examination Review Board after a precandidate file has been started .

 

Selection Process

 

Selections are made competitively on the basis of a composite of academic factors and leadership potential, extra-curricular activities, physical fitness, and recommendations. The following are included:

 

School records, class rank and grade point average.

Extra-curricular activities

College Board Scores (ACT or SAT)

Motivation. One of the most important considerations in the selection of nominees is motivation -- the candidate's desire to attend an academy. It is also the most difficult to measure. To an extent, motivation can be judged by a candidate's diligence in completing his/her file, which is one reason those with incomplete files are not considered for nominations. In addition, candidates are invited but not required to write an essay on their reasons for wanting to attend an academy. The essay is optional, but it could be most helpful to your candidacy.

 

Visiting the Academies

 

United States Naval Academy Department of the Navy Annapolis MD 21402 (410) 267-4361	United States Merchant Marine Academy Admissions Office Kings Point NY 11024 (516) 773-5391
United States Air Force Academy Admissions Office HQ USAFA/RR USAF Academy CO 80840-5651 (719) 472-3070	United States Military Academy Director of Admissions 606 Thayer Road West Point NY 10996-9902 (914) 938-4041

 

ALL CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THE SERVICE ACADEMIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: Senator Charles E. Schumer 757 Third Avenue Suite 17-02 New York NY  10017 Attn: Academy Coordinator Telephone inquiries may be directed to: (212) 486-4430