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1519 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone (202)
225-4301

#  Frequently Asked Questions About Service Academy Nominations

**1) What is a nomination?**

Title 10 of the U.S. Code establishes two types of nominations: a)
congressional and b) military service connected.

A non-military candidate may seek a nomination from the following: a) a
member of the U.S. House of Representatives, from the congressional
district where the candidate resides b) both U.S. Senators from his or
her state c) in addition, a candidate may apply directly to the
Vice-President of the United States, who can nominate applicants from
any part of the nation. Students whose parents are service connected may
also apply for a Presidential nomination.

For a Presidential nomination, apply after July 1 of the year prior to
admission and before

January 31 of the year of admission. For Vice Presidential apply before
November 1^st^ of the year prior to admission.

**2) 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:

-   You must be at least 17 years old, but not have passed your 23rd
    birthday.

-   You must be a U.S. citizen.

-   You must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to
    support children or other dependents.

-   You must reside within the boundaries of the 3rd Congressional
    District of Arkansas.

-   You must possess good moral character. It is assumed good moral
    character exists unless there is evidence to demonstrate otherwise.

**3) When do I apply for a Congressional or Senate nomination?**

You begin the process in the spring of your junior year. Call
Congressman Boozman\'s office to request a nomination packet or visit
www.house.boozman.com.

4\) What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?

Congressman Boozman's deadline for returning materials to the
congressional office is November 1^st^. Check with the Senate office for
their respective deadlines.

**5) What must be included in my nomination file?**

A complete nomination file consists of the following items:

1\) Application Packet

2\) 3 Letters of Recommendation

3\) SAT or ACT scores

4\) Official High School or College Transcripts

5\) Photograph of Applicant -- in a single person photograph (can be an
official school photo or an 4x6 snapshot)

**6) What happens after I have completed my nomination file?**

Applicants who meet the basic eligibility requirements and complete a
nomination file by November 1^st^ will be invited to meet with
Congressman Boozman\'s Service Academy Nomination Board.

**7) Why does Congressman Boozman use a nominating board?**

This board evaluates applicants and recommends candidates for
nomination. This well-qualified, non-partisan board will ensure a fair
and impartial process.

**8) What criteria does the board use 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.

**9) What is Congressman Boozman\'s "method of nomination?"**

The preferred method of nomination is the competitive nomination. This
process allows Congressman Boozman to nominate up to 10 qualified
candidates for each available opening. The academy itself will make the
final selection.

**10) How do I open an admissions file with the academies?**

All applicants must directly contact the academies they are interested
in attending to open an admissions file. Please refer to the Service
Academy Contact Information listed below for further information.

**11) How many academies are there?**

There are five.

Three reside within the Department of Defense:

-   The U.S. Military Academy at West Point

-   The U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis

-   The U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs

One resides within the Department of Transportation:

-   The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point

One resides within the Department of Homeland Security

-   The U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London

**12) 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. Refer to the Service
Academy Contact Information for the academy of your choice and contact
them directly for an academy catalog. Each academy will outline its
particular admissions qualifications. You may also discuss this matter
with the member(s) of the Service Academy Board who represents your
academy choice(s). Congressman Boozman\'s nominating board does not
represent the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. It is not necessary to seek a
nomination to the Coast Guard Academy. U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates
based on their own testing criteria.

**13) Can I have family members submit letters of recommendation?**

No. All recommendations must come from outside your immediate or
extended family. Typical recommendations are from:

-   Principals & Teachers -- Especially teachers of Math, Science and
    English

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-   Counselors Clergy Employer

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-   Scout Leaders Coaches

The list above is an example of those individuals who are qualified to
submit recommendations on your behalf. Please call Congressman
Boozman\'s office if you have any questions regarding this particular
requirement.

**14) Do I have to have all of the required paperwork collected before
submitting it to Congressman Boozman?**

No. Once you have requested a nomination packet, a file will be opened
in your name. It may take time to gather the appropriate materials. Send
in the materials as you receive them. Remember, your transcripts and
recommendations should be sent directly to Congressman Boozman\'s
office.

**15) How should I submit my SAT/ACT scores?**

Test results must be sent directly to Congressman Boozman\'s office by
the testing service. The institution code for SAT scores is 5679 and for
ACT scores the code is 7235. Applicants must have a cumulative SAT score
of at least 1000 in order to meet minimum academic qualifications. It is
recommended to take the ACT/SAT test early and often. Also see Question
19 for more information.

**16) When will I receive my nomination?**

Nominations must be delivered to the academies by January 31st. You will
be notified some time thereafter.

**17) 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 a letter of appointment directly from the academy.

**18) 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. It is recommended to apply to at least two
academies and it is also recommended to apply to the Merchant Marine and
Coast Guard Academies in addition to the Air Force, Naval and Military
Academies

**19) When will I know if I have been offered an appointment by an
academy?**

Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admissions status in
February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May 1^st^.
The Academies will award appointments after the candidate file is
reviewed and the candidate is determined "fully qualified". Academies
review files weekly, so it is in the candidate's best interest to have
their file completed by early January if the ACT/SAT scores are where
the candidate wants them. As these scores weigh heavily in the
appointment process, it is recommended to take ACT/SAT tests early and
often. It is also recommended to complete the candidate's file at the
Academy when the scores are where you want them, otherwise the candidate
may be reviewed and not found "fully qualified" on their competitive
point basis.

Please contact Congressman Boozman\'s office with any additional
questions.

Congressman John Boozman

213 W. Monroe, Suite K

Lowell, AR 72745

\(479\) 725-0400

**[Service Academy Contact Information]{.underline}**

United States Military Academy

Director of Admissions

United States Military Academy

606 Thayer Road

West Point, NY 10996-9902

Director of Admissions (845) 938-4041

Toll Free Number (800) 822-2769

Website:
[http://www.usma.edu](http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.usma.edu)

United States Naval Academy

Candidate Guidance Office

United States Naval Academy

117 Decatur Rd.

Annapolis, MD 21402-5018

Candidate Guidance Office (410) 293-4361

Toll Free Number (800) 638-9156

Website:
[http://www.usna.edu](http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.usna.edu)

United States Air Force Academy

USAFA/RRS

2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200

USAF Academy, Colorado 80840-5025

Toll Free Number (800) 443-9266

Website:
[http://www.usafa.af.mil](http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.usafa.af.mil)

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Director of Admissions

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Kings Point, New York 11024-1699

Toll Free Number (800) 732-6267

Website:
[http://www.usmma.edu](http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.usmma.edu)

United States Coast Guard Academy

Director of Admissions

15 Mohegan Ave

New London, CT 06320-4195

Toll Free Number (800) 883-USCG

Website:
[http://www.cga.edu/](http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.cga.edu/)

\*It is not necessary to seek a nomination to attend the Coast Guard
Academy. U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing
criteria.