US Service Academy Nominations Application Instructions

A nomination to one of the United States Service Academies is a distinct and rare honor. Acceptance of an academy appointment involves at least a nine-year obligation to the Service: four years at the academy and at least five years of active duty service (with the exception of the Merchant Marine Academy). In order to process your application, we need your cooperation. The information below is provided to help you expedite your application.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

The competition for nominations in the Fifth District is especially keen, and therefore you are urged to apply for a nomination from every available nominating source. These include Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, the President and the Vice President. Children of deceased or disabled veterans or children of Medal of Honor winners may apply for a nomination from another source; I will not be able to duplicate that nomination. Since academies may award more appointments than are available through Congressional vacancies, more than one nomination is neither required nor of assistance in achieving an appointment. Please advise me immediately if you are nominated by another source.

Each Congressional office uses a selection process, which is designed to meet its particular needs and standards. Please carefully read and follow the specific instructions for each office.

If you have not already filed a pre-candidate questionnaire with the Academies of interest to you, please complete the appropriate Academy Information profiles on their web sites. Most of the academies now require that you apply via their website. Upon learning of your interest, the Academy will establish a Prospective Candidate's File for you and send you any pertinent information. I will not be able to offer a nomination to any student who does not have an open candidate file at the relevant Academy and has not submitted a completed packet by my deadline.

II. REQUIREMENTS

You must be:

  1. 17 years old but not yet 23 years old to enter all academies, except the Merchant Marine Academy, which is 25 years of age .
  2. A citizen of the United States.
  3. Unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support a child or dependent.
  4. A legal resident of the Fifth Congressional District of Maryland (except the Merchant Marine Academy).

You must furnish:

  1. A complete application form: Please find enclosed a copy of an application. Formal candidacy is established upon receipt of the completed application. All materials must be submitted as a complete packet. Due to the pandemic and the inaccessibility to standardized testing sites this year, SAT and ACT scores are not required but will be accepted if available.
  2. Three letters of recommendation: Enclosed are forms, which may be used to accompany these letters. Two of the three letters must come from recent teachers who have instructed you (from different disciplines). The remaining letter can be written by counselors, employers, coaches, clergy or anyone who knows you well.
  3. An up-to-date transcript: The transcripts must be official and should include your grade point average, class rank, and your junior year course work.
  4. Essays – 4 short essays demonstrating your interest, why you would be successful at the Academy and what hardships/obstacles you have overcome which would render you the ideal candidate. Essay topic questions can be found here.

III. TYPE OF NOMINATION

For each vacancy I have at the U.S. Air Force, Naval, Military and Merchant Marine Academies, I may nominate up to ten candidates to compete for that vacancy. Under the competitive appointment process that I use, the academies will select from my slate of nominees the one candidate they believe to be the most qualified for an appointment. The remaining nominees will then compete for other available appointments in a nationwide pool.

IV. BASIS FOR NOMINATION

Nominations are made competitively on the basis of the composite of the candidate's academic record, extra-curricular activities, essay testimonials, and an interview with the Fifth District Service Academy Selection Board. The following are considered:

  1. Personal Testimonials provided via the required essays
  2. School Records, including grade point average and class rank (if available). The average competitive candidate stands in the upper fifth of his or her class.
  3. Extracurricular activities, including work, athletics, community service, and school clubs and organizations. Serving in leadership roles such as the team captain or president is preferred.
  4. Motivation is one of the most important considerations, but the most difficult to measure. To an extent, motivation is reflected in the diligence, independence, and perseverance the candidate shows in completing his or her file. The interview is also designed to assess an applicant's leadership potential.
  5. Brief Essays: Each applicant is asked to respond to four short essay questions.

V. FINAL NOTES

If your file is complete, you will be notified in early November about the scheduled time of your interview before my Service Academy Selection Board. The Board is comprised of members of the academic, military, and civic communities who serve as a panel to review nominations. All interviews will be conducted in November over a Zoom/Skype call due to Coronavirus.

GOOD LUCK!

The online application is available on my website: /help/us-service-academy-nominations along with the printable version of the application form. While the online application is preferred, the assembled application can be emailed to:

Mrs. Stefanie Carey Barone at: Stefanie.Carey@mail.house.gov

Any questions or concerns in general about the process can be directed to Ms. Barone at the email above or by phone at: 301-843-1577.

THE COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET MUST BE POSTMARKED BY

October 11, 2024