Military Academy Nominations FAQ

What is a nomination?

Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following:

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides
Both U.S. Senators from his or her state
Apply directly to the Vice-President of the United States

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Each applicant for a nomination 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 passed the 23rd birthday
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the 2nd District of Virginia.
Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

Who do I contact to request an application?

Contact the office to request a nomination packet.

When do I apply for a nomination?

The nomination application period opens May 1st of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors and will be seniors the following school year, or who have already graduated.

What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?

For the Class of 2029 (2024 nomination year), all application materials must be received by the district office by October 25th, 2024, by 5:00pm EST. No applications received after this date will be considered for a nomination. This includes any nomination packets postmarked prior to this date that are received after October 25th. Please contact the Congresswoman’s Virginia Beach Office for additional information, by calling (757)364-7650.

What must be included in my nomination file?

Once you complete the online form to request an initial application, you will receive an email detailing required documents to complete your application including:

Letters of recommendation (3)
High School Transcript(s)
College transcripts (if applicable)
StandardizedTestResults
Essay
Resume of your accomplishments and extracurricular activities
List of the service academies you are applying to, as well as the type of nominations you are applying for (Senatorial, Presidential, JROTC, etc.)
A recent, professional photograph of yourself (optional)

What happens after I have completed my nomination file?

Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in late October or early November.

What criteria is used in selecting candidates?

Nominations are based on a “whole person” evaluation. Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character and motivation are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.

How many academies are there?

There are five service academies.

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
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 qualifications are similar, each academy operates under its own admissions guidelines. Visit the academy of your choice via the websites noted for each academy’s particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.

Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?

Some of the people applicants typically seek recommendations from include:

Teachers
Counselors
Employers
Coaches
Clergy
Scout Leaders

Will I automatically be selected by the 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.

What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?

No. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year’s pool of candidates. It is also possible to win 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.