U.S. Service Academy Nominations – Frequently Asked Questions
About U.S. Service Academy Nominations
As a Member of Congress, Congressman Nick LaLota has the privilege of nominating exceptional young people from New York's First Congressional District to our nation's Service Academies. Service Academy appointments are highly competitive and offer students the opportunity to receive a world-class education while preparing to serve our nation.
Attending a Service Academy comes with a significant commitment. Graduates generally incur a minimum five-year active-duty service obligation following graduation.
Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. Service Academies:
- U.S. Military Academy (USMA) – West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) – Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – Colorado Springs, Colorado
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) – Kings Point, New York
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut, does not require a congressional nomination. Students interested in USCGA should apply directly to the Academy.
Applying for a congressional nomination is separate from applying for admission to a Service Academy. Applicants must apply directly to each Academy they wish to attend.
Key Dates for the Class of 2031
- May 15, 2026: Congressman LaLota's Service Academy nomination application opens
- September 30, 2026: Completed application and all required supplemental materials must be received by our office
- Early November 2026: Applicants will receive their assigned interview date and time
- November 18–19, 2026: Service Academy interviews. Interviews are scheduled for Thursday, November 19, with Wednesday, November 18 available if additional interview slots are needed. Applicants should plan to be available on both dates.
- Following Interviews: Congressman LaLota's office will communicate nomination decisions directly to applicants
- 2027: Service Academies communicate appointment decisions directly to candidates
What is a nomination?
A nomination is an official recommendation that allows a qualified candidate to be considered for an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy that requires a nomination.
Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the applicable eligibility requirements. Because nominations are competitive, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek nominations from every source for which they are eligible.
Depending on the Academy and an applicant's individual circumstances, nomination sources may include:
- The U.S. Representative who represents the candidate's congressional district
- Both U.S. Senators from the candidate's state
- The Vice President of the United States
- Certain service-connected and other nomination authorities for eligible applicants
The Vice President may nominate candidates to USMA, USNA, and USAFA, but not USMMA or USCGA. Certain applicants may also qualify for other nomination categories based on military service or family circumstances. Applicants should review the requirements of each Academy for information about all nomination sources for which they may be eligible.
Nomination requirements and sources vary by Academy.
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
General eligibility requirements for USMA, USNA, and USAFA include:
- Age: Be at least 17 years old and not have passed your 23rd birthday by July 1 of the year of admission
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen by the time required by the Academy
- Marital/Dependent Status: Be unmarried, not pregnant, and without a legal obligation to support children or other dependents
- Residence: Applicants seeking a nomination from Congressman LaLota to USMA, USNA, or USAFA must be legal residents of New York's First Congressional District
- Qualifications: Meet the academic, medical, physical, character, and other requirements established by the Academy
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has different eligibility requirements, including a maximum age of 25 rather than 23. Additionally, Members of the House of Representatives may nominate applicants to USMMA who reside anywhere within their state, rather than only within their congressional district.
Applicants are responsible for reviewing and meeting the specific eligibility requirements established by each Academy to which they apply.
To verify your congressional district, visit Find Your Representative.
How do I apply for a nomination?
Applicants seeking a nomination from Congressman LaLota should complete the online Service Academy nomination application and submit all required supplemental materials.
Applications will not be considered complete until our office has received the completed application and all required materials.
When can I apply for a nomination?
Congressman LaLota's Service Academy nomination application period opens May 15 of each year for candidates seeking admission to an Academy the following year.
This generally includes high school juniors who will be seniors during the upcoming school year, current seniors, college students, and other eligible applicants.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin both the nomination and Academy admissions processes early.
Can I apply if I have already graduated from high school or am attending college?
Yes. You do not have to be a current high school student to seek a Service Academy nomination.
High school graduates and college students may apply provided they meet the applicable age and other eligibility requirements established by the Academy they wish to attend.
What is the deadline for completing my nomination file?
Applications for the 2026 nomination cycle must be received by Congressman LaLota's office no later than September 30, 2026.
The completed online application and all required supplemental materials must be received by the deadline for an application to be considered complete.
Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the deadline to submit their materials.
What must be included in my nomination file?
Applicants should carefully review the current online application for the materials required by Congressman LaLota's office.
A nomination application must include materials such as:
- High school and/or college transcripts
- Resume or information regarding extracurricular activities, leadership positions, employment, athletics, and community involvement
- Essay or personal statement
- THREE Letters of recommendation
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by September 30, 2026.
Can I submit additional materials beyond what is requested?
Applicants should submit only the materials requested in the application and carefully follow all application instructions, including applicable word limits and deadlines.
Additional or unsolicited materials may not be considered as part of the nomination process.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted to Congressman LaLota's office is complete and accurate.
Do I need to apply directly to the Service Academy too?
Yes. Applying for a congressional nomination and applying for admission to a Service Academy are two separate processes.
Applicants are responsible for applying directly to each Service Academy they wish to attend and completing all admissions requirements established by that Academy.
Do not wait to receive a congressional nomination before beginning or completing your Academy application. Applicants should carefully monitor the deadlines and requirements established by each Academy.
What happens after I complete my nomination file?
Once our office receives your completed application and all required supplemental materials, your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted in early November with your assigned interview date and time.
Interviews will be conducted in person on Thursday, November 19, 2026. If additional interview slots are needed due to application volume, interviews may also be conducted on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Applicants should plan to be available on both dates.
If extreme circumstances prevent you from attending in person, such as attending school several hundred miles away, you must notify our office as far in advance as possible.
Is an interview required?
Applicants selected to proceed through Congressman LaLota's nomination process should plan to participate in an in-person interview with the Service Academy Review Board.
Applicants will receive information regarding their assigned interview date and time in early November.
If extreme circumstances prevent an applicant from attending in person, the applicant should contact our office well in advance to discuss the circumstances.
Who should communicate with the office about my application?
Whenever possible, our office communicates directly with the applicant regarding his or her nomination application.
We appreciate the support and involvement of parents and guardians throughout this process. However, attending a Service Academy requires significant maturity, independence, and personal responsibility. Applicants should take primary responsibility for communicating with our office, submitting required materials, monitoring deadlines, and responding to requests regarding their application.
What criteria are used in selecting candidates?
Congressman LaLota's Service Academy nominations are based on a "whole person" evaluation of each candidate.
Factors considered may include:
- Academic achievement
- Leadership experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Athletics and physical aptitude
- Community involvement
- Character
- Motivation to attend a Service Academy and serve our nation
- Interview performance
Applicants are evaluated in comparison with other qualified candidates seeking a nomination during that year's application cycle.
How many Service Academies are there?
There are five U.S. Service Academies:
- U.S. Military Academy (USMA) – West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) – Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – Colorado Springs, Colorado
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) – Kings Point, New York
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) – New London, Connecticut
Congressional nominations are used for appointments to USMA, USNA, USAFA, and USMMA.
USCGA does not require a congressional nomination. Students interested in attending USCGA should apply directly through the Academy's admissions process.
Are the requirements the same for all Service Academies?
No. Although many qualifications are similar, each Academy establishes and administers its own admissions requirements.
Applicants should carefully review the admissions website for each Academy to which they are applying for current academic, physical, medical, testing, age, and other requirements.
Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
Applicants should seek recommendations from individuals who know them well and can speak meaningfully about their character, accomplishments, leadership ability, work ethic, and potential for service.
Examples may include:
- Teachers
- School counselors
- Employers
- Coaches
- Clergy
- Scout leaders
- Community or organizational leaders
Applicants should review the current application for the number and type of recommendations required for that year's nomination cycle.
Does receiving a nomination guarantee that I will receive an appointment?
No. A congressional nomination does not guarantee an appointment to a Service Academy.
A nomination allows a candidate to compete for an appointment. Each Service Academy evaluates candidates according to its own admissions standards and ultimately determines which candidates receive appointments.
If selected, the candidate will receive an offer of appointment directly from the Academy.
What if I am interested in more than one Academy? Am I limited to a single nomination?
No. Applicants may seek consideration for more than one Service Academy and may be nominated to multiple Academies.
Applicants should indicate their Academy preferences as requested in Congressman LaLota's application. Because nominations are competitive and the number available is limited, applicants are not guaranteed a nomination to every Academy they request.
It is also possible for a candidate to ultimately receive appointments from more than one Academy.
Should I apply for nominations from my Senators and other eligible sources?
Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for a nomination from every source for which they are eligible.
Applying to Congressman LaLota's office does not prevent you from also seeking nominations from New York's two U.S. Senators, the Vice President for applicable Academies, or other nomination sources for which you qualify.
Each nominating authority establishes its own application process and deadlines, so applicants should apply to each separately and carefully monitor those requirements.
When will I know if Congressman LaLota has nominated me?
Following the interview process, Congressman LaLota's office will communicate nomination decisions directly to applicants.
Applicants should continue working on their Academy applications while awaiting a nomination decision and should not delay completing any Academy requirements.
When will I know if I have been offered an appointment by an Academy?
Appointment timelines vary by Academy and by candidate. Service Academies communicate directly with candidates regarding their admissions and appointment status.
Applicants should regularly monitor their Academy applicant portals, email, and other communications from the Academies for updates regarding their status.
Congressman LaLota's office does not determine whether or when an Academy offers an appointment.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
For questions about Congressman LaLota's Service Academy nomination process, please contact our Service Academy team at NY01ServiceAcademies@mail.house.gov or 202-225-3826.