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THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be eligible, your must be:

  • A US citizen.
  • A legal resident of the state of West Virginia (or a dependent of military members who are West Virginia residents.
  • Single; not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
  • At least 17 years of age and not yet 23 years old on July 1 of the year you would enter an academy (25 years old for USMMA).

Service academy applicants are eligible for nomination by both United States Senators in the state of their legal residence and the United States Representative for the District in which they reside as well as the Vice President. Applicants should apply for nomination to all applicable nominating sources.

Admission to a service academy is a two-tiered process. First, the candidate must apply through the Academy directly. There are five (5) service academies that offer appointments to highly qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements and are the most competitive in academic performance, physical fitness, medical standards, extracurricular involvement, leadership traits, motivation and aptitude for military service. You are encouraged to apply early to any and all service academies for which you have a sincere interest. You may apply online at the respective service academy web site. If you meet the minimum eligibility and entrance requirements, the academy will forward a formal application package. You should return all requested materials as directed by the academy as quickly as possible. If you are considered an "official" candidate by the academy, you will be scheduled for a medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Review Board (DODMERB). You will also complete a Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA).

The second tier in pursuing admission is the Congressional Nominations process. An individual must meet the admissions requirements of the Academy as well as receive a nomination in order to be offered an appointment to the Academy. You do not need a Congressional Nomination for the United States Coast Guard Academy.

The 2024 Nomination Application is now open for eligible students seeking to enter a service academy in the summer of 2025. The Application Deadline is 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

QUESTIONS?

Applicants should direct any questions regarding the admissions process of a particular Academy to that Academy's Admissions office. Information can be obtained here:

U.S. Air Force Academy
HQ USAFA/RR
2304 Cadet Dr, Ste 2300
USAF Academy, CO 80840
(800) 443-9266
U.S. Naval Academy
Candidate Guidance Office
52 King George Street
Annapolis, MD 21402
(410) 293-4361
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Admissions
606 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996
(845) 938-4041
U.S Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY
11024-1699
(516) 726-5646
U.S Coast Guard Academy
31 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT
06320-4195
(800) 883-USCG (8724)