U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. service academies. As Representative of North Carolina’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five service academies. The honor of attending a service academy, free of charge, comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. service academies and serving our country.
Deadline for submission of completed nomination packet (7 items listed below): November, 1 2012 by 5:00 pm.
Seeking a Nomination: Frequently Asked Questions
When do I apply for a nomination?
My office begins accepting nomination packets on July 1, 2012. The deadline to submit a nomination packet is November 1, 2012 by 5:00 pm (postmarked by Nov. 1, 2012 at 5:00 pm). Please send nomination packets to the following address:
Office of Congressman Larry Kissell
Attn: Academy Nominations
325 McGill Avenue, Suite 501
Concord, NC 28027
(In addition to your application with my office, you must also apply to each service academy from which you are requesting a nomination.)
What must be included in my nomination packet?
A complete nomination packet consists of the following 7 items:
- Application Form for Service Academy Nomination (To request an Application Form via mail, contact the Concord District Office at 704-786-1612.)
- An official, sealed high school transcript including verification of your rank
- Official SAT Reasoning Test results and/or official ACT results (Please use SAT code 5314 and/or ACT code 7586 to have your official scores sent to Congressman Kissell’s office. We also accept SAT/ACT scores if they are listed on your official, sealed high school transcript.)
- A resume of extracurricular activities
- Three letters of recommendation (one from a teacher/educator; one from an extracurricular activity advisor/instructor; one from an individual other than family) *Please submit no more than three letters of recommendation.
- An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
- A good quality, color digital photograph of yourself that is at least 1200 x 1800 pixels in resolution (4x6 in.) (submit to allison.auman@mail.house.gov)
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
I do not require a specific recommendation form. A general letter of recommendation is sufficient.
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. These requirements must be met by July 1st of the year of admission to an academy and are as follows:
- Must be at least 17 years old (each academy has a maximum age requirement)
- 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 nominating source (Congressman Larry Kissell: 8th Congressional District of North Carolina).
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the academy.
What criteria are used in selecting candidates?
Similar to the standards of each service academy, a nomination is based on a "whole person" evaluation. This evaluation includes: moral character, scholarship (high school record + college record if available, class rank, SAT and/or ACT scores), leadership (organized athletics, student body and class government, extracurricular activities, scouting, church, community involvement, work, etc.), physical aptitude, medical fitness, and overall personal goals and motivation.
What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?
No. It is possible for you to be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. In addition to your application with my office, you must also apply to each service academy from which you are requesting a nomination. It is also possible to receive multiple appointments.
What happens after I have submitted my nomination packet?
Applicants who submit a completed nomination packet by the deadline will be notified of their status by January 31, 2013.
What other sources provide nominations?
A candidate that meets the eligibility requirements established by law 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 the candidate’s state
- The President of the United States
- The Vice-President of the United States
- The Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, who nominates members of regular military, reserve components, and participants in the ROTC
I highly encourage you to apply to all possible nominating sources.
How many academies are there?
There are five service academies.
Three within the Department of Defense:
- U.S. Military Academy, WestPoint, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
One within the Department of Transportation:
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York
One within the Department of Homeland Security:
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 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. For each academy's particular admissions qualifications, visit the academy of your choice via the web sites noted above. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts applications based on a nationwide, merit-based program that has no state or district quotas.
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 appointment directly from the academy.
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. Final admission decisions are up to each academy.
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