_first step: attend military information night -
This night, sponsored by Sen. Carper, Sen. Coons and Rep. Blunt-Rochester gives prospective students every detail they need to know to make application to one of our service academies. This is a MUST attend event usually held in February.
how to apply to a service academy
Applying to a Service Academy
Applying to a service academy is much more arduous and multi-layered for both student and TA than applying to other universities.* While there are variations in the process, below is a general outline of what the process entails. Ideally the student will begin in the junior year. Here are the key elements, but be sure to check with each academy as these vary. N.B. Keep copies of all paperwork.
Preliminary Application—gives enough information that they say, “Yes, you can apply.” Then a full application is sent to the student by the academy.
Summer Seminar—not a requirement, but highly recommended. The student applies beginning in January of the junior year. The one-week session—basically a boot camp—is in the summer between the junior and senior year. Will conflict with the last week or so of HBW. Gives a snapshot of the first year at an academy.
Recommendations—need at least three. One from a math teacher, one from an English teacher, and one from the TA. The student may also be able to submit one from a coach, church or scout leader.
Congressional nomination—submitted by a congressman or senator or the Vice-President. The student in the spring of junior year should contact congressman and senators. Find out what the process is.
Standardized tests—must submit SAT or ACT scores.
Official application—must submit the official application. The earlier the better. The aphorism “First come, first served” applies here.
Medical Examination—must have a physical and eye exam. DODMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) will give you the names of doctors. Do as soon as possible.
Fitness test (Physical Aptitude Exam)—is sometimes administered by our PE teachers. It usually involves such things a one-mile run, sit-ups, shuttle run, kneeling basketball throw, and standing broad jump. Each academy sets its own standards. Practice for the PAE.
Interview—This is usually done by officers with special training for interviewing. This relationship is integral to a positive outcome.
One of the intriguing aspects of the process at one of the academies is that the student could receive a “letter of assurance” in September of the senior year but still not be admitted.
Another unique feature of these applications is that the student may hear as early as October or as late as May of the senior year.
US Naval Academy http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/
US Air Force Academy http://academyadmissions.com/
US Military Academy http://admissions.usma.edu/
US Coast Guard Academy http://www.cga.edu/display.aspx?id=2910
US Merchant Marine Academy http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/
*A service academy application will be more arduous and complex because as a TA you may have to submit recommendations and forms to the academy, a congressman, and two senators.
Applying to a service academy is much more arduous and multi-layered for both student and TA than applying to other universities.* While there are variations in the process, below is a general outline of what the process entails. Ideally the student will begin in the junior year. Here are the key elements, but be sure to check with each academy as these vary. N.B. Keep copies of all paperwork.
Preliminary Application—gives enough information that they say, “Yes, you can apply.” Then a full application is sent to the student by the academy.
Summer Seminar—not a requirement, but highly recommended. The student applies beginning in January of the junior year. The one-week session—basically a boot camp—is in the summer between the junior and senior year. Will conflict with the last week or so of HBW. Gives a snapshot of the first year at an academy.
Recommendations—need at least three. One from a math teacher, one from an English teacher, and one from the TA. The student may also be able to submit one from a coach, church or scout leader.
Congressional nomination—submitted by a congressman or senator or the Vice-President. The student in the spring of junior year should contact congressman and senators. Find out what the process is.
Standardized tests—must submit SAT or ACT scores.
Official application—must submit the official application. The earlier the better. The aphorism “First come, first served” applies here.
Medical Examination—must have a physical and eye exam. DODMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) will give you the names of doctors. Do as soon as possible.
Fitness test (Physical Aptitude Exam)—is sometimes administered by our PE teachers. It usually involves such things a one-mile run, sit-ups, shuttle run, kneeling basketball throw, and standing broad jump. Each academy sets its own standards. Practice for the PAE.
Interview—This is usually done by officers with special training for interviewing. This relationship is integral to a positive outcome.
One of the intriguing aspects of the process at one of the academies is that the student could receive a “letter of assurance” in September of the senior year but still not be admitted.
Another unique feature of these applications is that the student may hear as early as October or as late as May of the senior year.
US Naval Academy http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/
US Air Force Academy http://academyadmissions.com/
US Military Academy http://admissions.usma.edu/
US Coast Guard Academy http://www.cga.edu/display.aspx?id=2910
US Merchant Marine Academy http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/
*A service academy application will be more arduous and complex because as a TA you may have to submit recommendations and forms to the academy, a congressman, and two senators.
