Academy Nominations

Each year, Members of Congress have the privilege of recommending a select group of individuals for admission to the United States service academies. Senator Young is honored to nominate a number of highly-qualified young men and women to the nation’s service academies. Competition for the limited number of available appointments is strong. The academies recommend that high school students interested in applying for an appointment should contact the Academy of their choice in the spring of their junior year and apply for a congressional nomination during their senior year.

Nominees are chosen based on personal merit. Criteria considered include evidence of character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude, and extracurricular activities. 

Application for a Nomination to a Service Academy

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UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMIES

ELIGIBILITY

All candidates applying for a congressional nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of the state of Indiana
• The applicant must be at least 17 years old but not older than 23 (applicants may not be older than 25 as of July 1 to make application to the Merchant Marine Academy)
• The applicant must be unmarried and must not have any legal obligation to support children or other dependents

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please note: Applicants must also apply directly to the United States service academies before making application for a nomination from Senator Young.

An applicant should begin compiling his or her supporting materials for a nomination from Senator Young during his or her junior year.

To be eligible to compete for a nomination to a service academy, each applicant must complete/attach the following:

• Application for a Nomination to a Service Academy
• A letter of intent that describes why you want to attend an academy
  • Remember to highlight what characteristics or credentials separate you from other applicants
• Three letters of recommendation
  • Please choose individuals who can accurately remark on your academic credentials, professional history, and personal character
• A list of extra-curricular activities
  • Remember to highlight leadership roles/positions
• Official transcript of grades through junior year
• Official class rank
  • If your school does not rank, please include an official notice from your guidance counselor.
• SAT and/or ACT scores
  • Scores can be listed on your official transcript
  • Scores can be listed from your SAT/ACT account (you may take a screenshot of your scores from your College Board/ ACT account and upload)
    • This is the preferred method of delivery 
  • You may request official reports from the testing agency by using the following codes:
    • SAT school code: 1308
    • ACT school code: 7127
  • Self-reported scores without documentation will not be accepted

You must complete the questionnaire and upload each corresponding document online by Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Failure to complete these requirements by the submission deadline will disqualify you from further consideration. Please be sure that you are a current and legal resident of the state of Indiana or your application will be invalid. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note that late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Following the submission deadline, all applications will be reviewed by an advisory board selected by Senator Young.

Following a rigorous review of each completed application, Senator Young’s Nominations Review Board will conduct personal interviews with applicants. Applicants selected for interviews will meet in the Indianapolis area on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Please keep this date open on your calendar.

ACADEMY DAYS

A few times per year, students will have the opportunity to attend an “Academy Day.” These information sessions are planned for students interested in learning more about America’s service academies. Representatives from each academy will be available to answer questions. While attendance is certainly not required to obtain a nomination, representatives present at Academy Day can help answer specific questions potential applicants may have about a particular academy or the congressional nominations process. 

Senator Young is hosting a virtual Academy Day on September 18 from 6:30-8:00PM ET. Please email Academy_Nominations@young.senate.gov for more information.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

For questions, please contact Senator Young’s Indianapolis Office at 317-226-6700 or send an email to Academy_Nominations@young.senate.gov.