Military Academy Nominations - FAQ | Representative Diana Harshbarger

What is a congressional nomination?

Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. We encourage candidates to seek nominations from any or multiple options below to increase their chances for selection:

U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger should the candidate reside in the First Congressional District of Tennessee.
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty should the candidate reside in Tennessee.
Directly from 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 1st Congressional District of Tennessee.
Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy.

Where do I find the application for a nomination?

The online application is located on our website here.

When do I apply for a nomination?

You may apply for a nomination after first contacting the service academy or academies of your choice to open a pre-candidate file. After doing so you may then begin the online application process on our website. The online application period opens in May of each year for candidates who are currently high school juniors and on track to graduate high school in the spring of that year. Applicants under the age of 23 who have already graduated from high school are also eligible to apply in this window. The deadline to apply is October 31st of each year at 11:59 pm. Late applications will not be considered.

What must be included in my online application?

A complete application consists of the following items:

Contact and personal information of applicant
Ranked preference of desired service academy nomination
Current photo
Official high school transcript and/or college transcript if applicable emailed separate from online application to TN01.Academy.Transcript@mail.house.gov upon completion of application.
American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
Resume of extracurricular and leadership activities, volunteerism and work experience, any and all applicable.
An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)
Three letters of recommendation

What happens after I have completed my nomination application?

Candidates who complete the online application no later than 11:59 pm on October 31st will be scheduled for an interview in November. An announcement of the nominated candidates for the First Congressional District of Tennessee will be made in December.

What criteria is used in selecting candidates for a nomination?

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. Final candidate selections will be made by our distinguished Service Academy Selection Panel comprised of very dedicated and carefully selected volunteers.

How many academies are there?

There are five service academies.

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut

Are the requirements the same for all 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 noted 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 the following where a personal or professional relationship to candidate exists:

Teachers
Counselors
Employers
Coaches
Clergy
Scout Leaders
Other Community Leaders
U.S. Military Members or Veterans

Will I automatically be selected by the academy if I receive a nomination?

No. If you are nominated you will be placed among a select group of other 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 have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to win 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 offers of appointment are generally sent out by May.

What if I have additional questions?

Applicants are expected to take personal pride and responsibility for their own application. Therefore, the applicant should present any questions they may have by contacting my Service Academy Nominations Director Angie Jarnagin by email at TN01.Academy.Transcript@mail.house.gov.