Frequently asked questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination.
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 3rd Congressional District of Georgia.
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy
WHO DO I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING AN APPLICATION?
Please contact Jessica Eck at jessica.eck@mail.house.gov or via phone at 770-683-2033 with any questions regarding a nomination application.
WHEN DO I APPLY FOR A NOMINATION?
The nomination application period opens August 1st of each year seniors and those who have graduated.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING AN APPLICATION PACKET?
The deadline for submitting a nomination application packet to my District Office for the 2024 cycle is Friday, October 11th. If you have questions regarding the deadline, please contact my District Office at 770-683-2033. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All applications should be submitted to Jessica Eck in my Newnan Office.
WHAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN MY APPLICATION PACKET?
You must submit the following items to my office together as one application packet in the following order:
- Service Academy Nomination Application with Checklist
- Official high school transcript in sealed envelope
- ACT and/or SAT results from their websites
- 1 page resume
- An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
- Minimum of three letters of recommendation with original signatures
An example can be found here. Applications should be turned in as one packet with all required pieces included. There should be NO staples on any portions of the application. Do not use sheet protectors or tab any sections. Do not bind the application in any way. The application should be held together with either a paper clip or a binder clip and submitted in either a file folder or manila envelope.
Emailed applications should be sent to Jessica.Eck@mail.house.gov with the subject line: 2023 Academy Application for (Candidate’s Last Name). The application should be scanned together as one PDF document that includes all pieces of the application. Separate PDFs of each piece of an application will not be accepted. Please title the document LastName_FirstName.
Email is the preferred method of submission.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE COMPLETED MY APPLICATION PACKET?
When all applications have been received, they will be processed and reviewed. Candidates will then be selected for interviews with our Academy Board based on their applications. If you are selected for an interview, they will take place on a Saturday in late October or early November. The interview is required and will take place at the Central Education Center in Newnan, Georgia. Not all applicants will receive an interview. Notifications will go out to candidates selected about 2 weeks after the submission deadline.
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.
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 above 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
Letters should be no more than 1 page and have the original signature of the author.
WILL I AUTOMATICALLY BE SELECTED BY THE ACADEMY AFTER I RECEIVE A NOMINATION?
No. It is important to understand that a nomination does not mean you automatically receive an appointment to an academy. If you receive a nomination from my office, 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 place among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to earn 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 appointment offers are generally sent out by May.
