United States Military Academies

Every cadet is different, but to earn an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, you must meet certain basic requirements.

• Be at least 17 but not past your 23rd birthday by July 1 of the year you enter the Academy
• Be a United States citizen
• Be unmarried with no dependents
• Be of good moral character

Your Prior Academic Record (PAR) is a measure of classroom performance and is based on a combination of your class rank and your GPA. When class rank is not provided, the PAR is based on our evaluation of your transcript, school profile and senior year schedule.

To be academically competitive for an appointment to the Academy, we recommend completion of the following high school courses:

• Four years of English (with a college preparatory class in writing)
• Four years of math
• Strong background in geometry, algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus
• Four years of science
• Lab-based and should include biology, chemistry and physics
• Three years of social studies (to include a course in U.S. history)
• Two years of a modern foreign language
• One year of computer study

Our recent classes have averaged in the top three percent of their high school classes. Adjustments are made to the PAR for students attending unusually competitive schools with a rigorous college prep curriculum and/or where honors and advanced placement courses are NOT weighted in the school’s calculation of class rank and/or GPA.

To ensure that we make accurate adjustments to your PAR, please ask your counselor to include a profile of last year’s graduating class from your high school with your transcript.

Note: A solid foundation in algebra is more valuable than exposure to calculus.

Students may take the SAT and ACT as many times as they’d like. Only the highest scores will be counted. When you register for the tests, request your scores be sent to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The SAT code for the Academy is 4830, and the ACT code is 0530.

Students who score below 620 Evidence-based reading and writing or below 580 math on the SAT reasoning test and below 24 English/reading and 25 math/science on the ACT normally will not be competitive for an appointment directly into the Academy. However, they will be considered for the prep school or a Falcon Foundation Scholarship.

In addition to academic performance and physical fitness, our admissions process carefully reviews strength of character and leadership potential. Each applicant’s character assessment consists of the following:

• Teacher’s Evaluation
• Writing Sample
• Letter of Recommendation
• Extracurricular Composite

The United States Air Force Academy doesn’t just demand strength of mind and character, it requires a strong body. In order to be a competitive applicant, you must be able to prove you are fit to meet the physical demands ingrained in Academy life.

Basic Cadet Training

Physical fitness is an integral part of attending the Academy, especially during Basic Cadet Training (BCT) and the fourth-class (freshman) year. Therefore, satisfactory completion of the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) is an important admissions requirement.

This test of strength, agility, speed and endurance is designed to help determine whether you possess the stamina required to successfully complete the physical program at the Academy.

Candidate Fitness Assessment

In order to qualify for admission, you must take the CFA. Become familiar with the six events in the CFA and practice them to score well. The events are administered consecutively with specified start, finish and rest times.

Although the CFA is pass-fail, it is imperative that you perform to the best of your ability on each of these events:

• Basketball Throw
• Pull-ups/Flexed Arm Hang
• Shuttle Run
• Modified Sit-ups (crunches)
• Push-ups
• One-mile Run

You should remember that your score is a combination of your best efforts on each of the six events.

All candidates admitted to the United States Air Force Academy must meet the medical and weight standards for a commission in the United States Air Force. If you do not meet these standards as an applicant, you will be disqualified unless provided a medical waiver.

Applying to the United States Air Force Academy is more involved than applying to a typical college or university. There are many steps and important deadlines to meet. But first it’s important to understand how the process is divided into pre-candidate and candidate phases. Many of the steps in each phase can and should be completed concurrently.

Apply for Your Nomination Early

To be eligible to accept an appointment to the Academy, you must be nominated by a legally authorized nominating entity. The process of securing a nomination is competitive and lengthy. It is recommended you begin applying for a nomination at the same time you are completing your Pre-candidate Questionnaire.

Seek Your Nomination

Application Part I

The First Steps in a Longer Journey: When you first apply to the Academy, you are an “applicant” or “pre-candidate.” Pre-candidates who qualify are then granted the status of “candidate.” In the pre-candidate phase, you will self-report your grade point average and class rank. The Pre-candidate Questionnaire opens March 1.

Application Part I

Becoming an Official Candidate

Those applicants who achieve candidate status will be able to access the online application, which contains valuable information and instructions on how to complete the official application for admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Candidate portals open July 1.

Application Part II

How Can I Prepare?

To be eligible to enter the Academy, you must:

• Be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed your 25th birthday before July 1 in the year of entrance.
• Be a citizen of the United States either by birth or naturalization, except for a limited number of international midshipmen specially authorized by Congress.
• Meet the physical, security, suitability and character requirements necessary for commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
• Obtain a Congressional nomination to the Academy; submit a completed application; and qualify scholastically.
• Be of good moral character.

Register for an account and start your application. You will need the following information to get started:

• Social Security Number
• SAT or ACT scores
• High School Class Rank
• GPA
• Congressional State and District

• Candidates must be nominated to the Academy by a U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator from your State of Residence/Domicile.
• A candidate does not have to reside in the same Congressional District as his/her nominator (a Member of the U.S. House of Representative CAN nominate a candidate who resides in a District other than their own, as long as it is in their [the nominator's] State/Territory).  This differs from nominations to the USMA, USNA, and USAFA.
• Securing a nomination is a competitive process. A nomination does not guarantee appointment to the Academy.
• Nominating authorities select their nominees by any methods they wish, including a screening interview. Each nominating authority follows a different process and establishes a unique deadline. You must be familiar with your nominating authorities’ requirements and apply for a nomination as early as possible. Contact information for your nominating authorities can be found on this website.
• Nominations to the Academy must be received by January 31st. Your nominating authorities will notify us of your nomination. If we do not receive your nomination by January 31st, your application will be closed.
• The United States Merchant Marine Academy does not accept Vice Presidential or military service-connected nominations, i.e. Presidential, Regular/Reserve Component, ROTC.

• All candidates are required to take either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), or American College Test (ACT).
• The Academy will accept official test results up to the February test date of the year for which candidates seek appointment.  The Academy will accept all test scores attained within three years of the admissions application deadline. The Academy does not accept the non-standard or untimed administration of the SAT or ACT. 
• Students who achieve scores below 580 math and 29 reading on the SAT and below 24 math and 23 English on the ACT are strongly encouraged to retake the tests. For the Class of 2024, the score range was as follows:
  • SAT scores should be forwarded using the Academy's College Board Code: 2923. 
  • ACT scores should be forwarded using the Academy's ACT Code: 2974. 
  • Speak with your school counselor or visit the SAT and ACT websites for additional information. 

You are encouraged to take both the SAT and ACT tests several times to try to improve your scores. Your highest scores will be accepted. SAT or ACT qualifying scores for admission will be determined by the Academy for each entering class.

You must request an official transcript from your school. Official transcripts can be mailed to:

Admissions Office
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, New York 11024-1699

Please note - a seventh semester transcript is required by the file completion deadline of February 1st.

• Satisfactory completion of the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) is one of the requirements for admission to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  Passing results must be received in the Admissions Office by the application deadline.
• The CFA is a test of strength, agility, speed and endurance.  The results of this test are important in the overall assessment of your admission file, so you should become familiar with the six events in the CFA and practice them to score well.
• Your CFA examination may be administered by an Admissions Field Rep, a J/ROTC instructor, Physical Education Teacher, or any commissioned/non-commissioned officer other than a parent/guardian. It is your responsibility to arrange for a qualified person to conduct your examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that the results are submitted to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Admissions Office by the application deadline.
• Candidates have two (2) chances to pass the CFA. If you wait until the deadline to submit your CFA scores, you will not have an opportunity for a retest.  Taking the CFA early and submitting scores well in advance of the application deadline is in your best interest.
• Candidate Fitness Assessment Instructions
• Fitness Assessment Score Sheet
• Non-swimmers
• Fourth classmen must demonstrate the capability of swimming 100 yards using two basic strokes, and 15 minutes of flotation. Non-swimmers must devote a part of their time to learning basic swimming strokes, and it is therefore recommended that applicants learn to swim before entering the Academy. This requirement must be fulfilled prior to a midshipman's first shipboard training period.

A candidate for admission to the Academy must be in good medical condition and must meet the requirements for an Appointment as a U.S. Navy Reserve midshipman.

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) is responsible for determining the medical qualification of Academy applicants. Medical examinations are conducted by a service academy examining facility designated by DoDMERB.

To be considered for the DoDMERB medical exam, the Admissions Office must receive your high school transcript, official SAT/ACT scores AND a passing Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). It is the candidate's responsibility to pursue medical processing in a timely manner to its conclusion. It can take several weeks to schedule your initial medical evaluation and several more weeks to determine medical qualification.

Applicants can visit the DODMERB website to obtain additional information.

Failing to disclose pre-existing medical conditions that you were aware of which are discovered after reporting to the USMMA may result in medical separation and you may be ineligible for readmission.

• Complete your Activities Record. The United States Merchant Marine Academy looks for well- rounded candidates that demonstrate exemplary character. Your extracurricular activity is an important part of your assessment. Be prepared to provide detailed information on the following:
• Athletic Activities: Approximately 84 percent of entering midshipmen have earned a varsity letter and 66 percent are team captains.
• Non-Athletic Activities: Examples include but are not limited to:
  • Student Government
  • National Honors Society
  • Scouting (Eagle/Gold Award)
  • JROTC
  • Naval Sea Cadet Corps
  • Civil Air Patrol
  • Band
• Community Service
• Work Experience
• Submit the Academic Information Request. The information requested includes official transcripts and a school profile.
• Request School Official Evaluations. Evaluations are required from the following instructors:
  • English
  • Math
  • Lab science (either chemistry or physics)
• Submit your Biographical Essay. Your essay must be at least 500 words. Include your name and candidate ID at the top of the page.

The application opens in mid-July and closes in early January on the Regular Admission deadline; all required application material must be received by January 15. The application consists of four parts:

• Online Application
• Medical Examination
• Physical Fitness Examination
• Interview

Before you start your application, have a few things handy:

• Your Bear's Den login credentials
• The names, email and phone numbers of teachers who will submit your recommendations
• The name, email and phone number of the adult who will submit your Physical Fitness Exam results
• The names of the colleges your parents and siblings have attended (if any)

Application Timeline

You are eligible to apply for the Coast Guard Academy if you are:

• A U.S. citizen of sound moral character
• Unmarried with no dependents or financial debt
• 17-22 years of age on July 1 of the year of entry
• A high school graduate or GED recipient (or will be prior to entry)

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may want to consider applying to be an International Cadet.

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) and its contractor coordinate your medical examination to determine if you meet medical qualifications for admission.

Watch for a letter or email after you submit your application. Follow these instructions to schedule your exam and track results.
If the exam is not done by April 15, or your qualifications are still uncertain by May 1, you will not be eligible for further consideration.

You are responsible to arrange for the PFE. Find an adult to administer the PFE and submit your scores. The Academy will email instructions to this person after you submit your online application.

Download the PFE Instruction Manual and audio file to prepare in advance.

• PFE Instruction Manual
• PFE Cadence Push-Ups (Audio File)

Applicants to the Coast Guard Academy must complete the PFE; the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) cannot be substituted for this required application item. 

Admissions may request to interview applicants and prospective applicants in order to best meet your needs and the Academy's enrollment goals. If so, a representative of Admissions will contact you. If selected for an interview, participation is required.

The Academy’s Early Action review group is non-binding. All applicants appointed in this group will still have until May 1st to accept or decline.

High school seniors and active duty military members are eligible for Early Action. Those attending college or a post-grad year are not unless they are first-time applicants.

You are eligible to apply for the United States Naval Academy if you meet the following criteria: 

• A United States Citizen
• At least 17 years of age and must not have passed 23rd birthday on July 1st of year of entry
• Unmarried
• Not pregnant and no dependents
• Have a valid Social Security Number  (If you do not have a Social Security number you can apply for a card)

If you are in high school but are not old enough to apply, you can register with USNA to receive information about our summer programs.

You must submit a preliminary application to become an official candidate for next year's class. You can submit a preliminary application if you:

• will be a senior in high school next year
• are currently in your senior year of high school
• are a current college student looking to transfer

Upon completion of your preliminary application, Admissions will review it to determine your competitiveness for receiving a candidate number. Receipt of a candidate number will then indicate your designation as an Official Candidate for admission. Within your candidate letter, there will be important instructions on how to proceed with completing your official application. 

You will need the following information to complete the preliminary application:

• Social Security Number
• High School Educational Testing Service (ETS) Code
• High School Class Rank
• Congressional State and District
• Full Zip Code
• SAT, ACT or PSAT scores

If you have applied for our Summer Seminar program you do not need to submit a preliminary application, as they are the same application.

You must obtain a nomination from an official source, which normally includes U.S. Representatives or U.S. Senators representing your Congressional district or State, respectively, and the Vice President of the United States. Applying for a nomination is similar to applying for a school. Being personally acquainted with the nominator is not required. We encourage you to apply to all available sources.

It is recommended that you submit your letter of application for nominations immediately after you complete your preliminary application. Do not wait until you receive a nomination to begin your formal USNA application.  Many nomination notifications do not go out until early to mid-January and the deadline for the USNA application is January 31. Your nominator will notify us of your nomination.  You do not need to notify the Academy. 

Nomination Process and Reference Information

• Find Your Senators & Congressman: 
  • U.S. Senators
  • U.S. Congressman
• Nomination Applications:
  • Presidential Nomination
  • ROTC/JROTC Unit Nomination
• (Contact your Senators and Congressman for their respective applications.) Nomination Sources:
  • U.S. Senators, Representatives, and Delegates The President of the U.S.
  • The Vice President of the U.S.
  • Navy and Marine Corps (Active and Reserve)
  • Reserve Officers Training Corps Units
  • Children of deceased or disabled veterans and children of prisoners of war or servicemen missing in action
  • Children of Medal of Honor Awardees

The Naval Academy requires candidates to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) prior to admission. We evaluate candidates based on the highest score in each individual category if you elect to take these tests multiple times.

Note: You may use your PSAT scores for the preliminary qualification; however, these will not be used as final admissions criteria.
Test scores should be forwarded to the Naval Academy using the appropriate College Code Numbers: 

• SAT Code – 5809
• ACT Code – 1742

Check with your school counselor or visit the SAT and ACT website for test dates and registration requirements.  We will accept any ACT or SAT test that is taken before January 31, even if the results arrive after. We do not accept test scores from a test taken with accommodations.

Fee waiver information for SAT and ACT.

In addition to completing your Candidate Academic Information, your high school counselor should mail an official transcript to USNA.  Transcripts should include your candidate number and be mailed to the following address:

Office of Admissions 

52 King George Street 

Annapolis, MD 21402

The Naval Academy program is physically challenging and we require all candidates to undergo a thorough medical examination. 

The Admissions Department will submit your name to the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) who will contact you about scheduling your medical examination. DoDMERB will carefully review your medical exam to determine if you meet the medical standards for admission. Approximately one month after your physical exam is completed, you will receive (by mail) a status report of the DoDMERB findings. DoDMERB may request that you provide additional information/records regarding illnesses, injuries, surgery, familial diseases, and other factors that could affect your medical status. You may also be asked to schedule follow-up appointments to determine your current medical status. You may check on the status of your medical exam by referring to the DoDMERB website.

If you have a disqualifying condition, you will be automatically considered for a waiver if/when you receive a Conditional Offer of Appointment. You do not need to request a waiver, nor should you send additional medical information to the Naval Academy for review. A waiver of the medical standard may be granted if both your academic record and medical history suggest the risk introduced by the disqualifying condition is justified by your potential for success as a midshipman and as a naval officer. Many candidates will be required to provide additional information to DoDMERB after their first disqualifying medical condition has been waived. This additional information may result in other disqualifying conditions - which will also be considered for waiver. Major medical considerations are summarized in Appendix A: Medical Considerations Document. This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of all disqualifying conditions; it is a brief and general summary for your convenience.

The Candidate Fitness Assessment is used to evaluate coordination, strength, speed, agility, and endurance. If you are accustomed to regular physical activity, you should have no difficulty with the assessment. Maintaining a high level of physical fitness during high school is strongly encouraged to prepare you to meet the physical demands of Plebe Summer and life as a midshipman.

The test consists of a one-mile run, a 'shuttle' run, a kneeling basketball throw, abdominal crunches, push-ups, and pull-ups or a flexed-arm hang for women (when pull-ups cannot be accomplished) and can be administered by a physical education teacher, a team coach, a current JROTC instructor, a commissioned officer, or a Blue and Gold officer (BGO). 

Candidate Fitness Assessment Instructions

An official interview with a Blue and Gold Officer is the final step in completing your application. 

Blue and Gold Officers are volunteers composed of Naval Academy graduates, parents of midshipmen or graduates, and civilians.  Located in every state, they are qualified to guide and support you towards your final decision and through your midshipmen experience.

All candidates should contact their Blue and Gold Officer immediately upon receipt of their official candidate letter. The contact information for your BGO is located on the Candidate Information Page. The preferred communication method for most Blue and Gold Officers is email. Ensure the email address provided in your application is valid and checked regularly. If you do not know who your assigned Blue and Gold Officer is, you may contact the Area Coordinator to find out.

Maximize your opportunity for admission by paying close attention to deadlines and keeping track of application requirements.    
 Applicants who qualify for admission are categorized by the following:

• Outstanding Achievement - Students who have an outstanding achievement record will receive a Letter of Assurance.  This letter indicates our intent to extend an Offer of Appointment and could be received as early as September of your senior year in high school.
• Board Qualified - Students who do not receive a Letter of Assurance will be selected from within your nominating sources for an Offer of Appointment.   

Additional notes to keep in mind:

• On average, of the 3000 students who fully qualify for the Naval Academy, 1,400 will receive appointments and approximately 1,200 become midshipmen.  
• The USNA uses a "rolling admissions" selection process.  Most candidates will be notified of their final status by April 15.
• All appointees should notify the Admissions Office of their intention to accept or decline by May 1.
• After December 31, new applications to the Class of 2027 will not be accepted.
• Applications must be completed by January 31 or will not be considered for admittance into the USNA.

Start your application to West Point by filling out a Candidate Questionnaire (CQ) online. The CQ opens each year in mid-January for high school juniors, and we encourage you to open a file as early as possible. You must meet the general qualifications below and have a Social Security Number to start a file. An Admissions officer will review your file and notify you if you are qualified to compete for an offer of admission.

General Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following basic eligibility requirements to apply to West Point:

• Be at least 17, but not 23 or older, on July 1 of the year you enter West Point
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Cannot be married
• Cannot be pregnant
• Cannot be legally responsible for child support

Admissions Timeline

West Point Field Force members are volunteer Admissions representatives of the U.S. Military Academy in your local area. Field Force members are an invaluable source of information for navigating the application process at West Point. Find your Field Force representative today!

The Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) is an optional, week long, immersive experience in all four pillars of development at West Point. You'll experience academic seminars, military training, physical fitness, and character development at the world's preeminent leader development institution. SLE is not a requirement for admission to West Point, but we do encourage you to apply for the program so you can be sure that West Point is the place for you.

The application portal is open for high school juniors between January 15 and March 15.

Cadet Candidates must have a nomination to attend the U.S. Military Academy. There are two types of nomination: Congressional (either your Representative or one of your State’s Senators) or Service-Connected. We recommend applying for nominations in the spring of your high school junior year, and applying for every nomination you are eligible for (one Representative, two Senators, plus the Vice President is four opportunities). Each nominating source controls its own process and timeline, however, your nomination is due to West Point by January 31 of the year you would enter.

• Locate your Congressional Representative or Senators
• Learn more about applying for a nomination and writing a letter to your Representative or Senators

Cadet candidates must complete and submit the results of several tests to remain competitive for appointment to West Point:

• Medical Exam (DoDMERB)
• Candidate Fitness Assessment
• SAT or ACT with Writing Portion
• Medical Exam

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, known as “DoDMERB,” will send you a letter with the location and date of your exam. The location is a civilian medical facility or at an Army, Air Force, or Navy facility if one is near your home. After your exam, the DoDMERB forwards the test results to you. You can track your medical status by visiting this website.

TIP: Take your medical exam as soon as possible! It can take several months to get qualified if more information is needed following your exam. If you haven’t been scheduled by DoDMERB by the fall of your high school senior year, contact your regional Admissions Officer.

Candidate Fitness Assessment

Your CFA must be administered by a qualified individual, typically your physical education (PE) teacher. If you meet initial qualification from the CQ, the Admissions Office will send you a link to the Candidate Kit which has the test form and instructions in PDF format. The CFA consists of six events:

• Basketball throw (from a kneeling position)
• Cadence pull-ups or flexed-arm hang (women's option)
• 40-yard shuttle run (for time)
• Abdominal crunches (number completed in 2 minutes)
• Push-ups (number completed in 2 minutes)
• 1-mile run (for time)

Your grader will submit your score sheet online to the Admissions Office.

Who can administer the CFA besides my PE teacher?

• Military Academy Liaison Officers
• Military Officers or Non-commissioned Officers
• Professors of Military Science
• JROTC Instructors

TIP: Prepare for the CFA by practicing the six test areas. Running, general conditioning exercises, and competitive sports will also strengthen your abilities. Visit the Department of Physical Education's page for additional fitness preparation information.

SAT or ACT with Writing Portion

The tests must be timed and include a writing score. The SAT includes a writing exam, but if you’re registering for the ACT, select the "ACT Plus Writing" exam to be considered for admission.

TIP: Take the tests as many times as practicable. We will superscore your standardized tests.

All candidates require an interview as part of their application.  You will be contacted by a West Point Admissions Field Force representative to schedule the interview. 

TIP: Dress as you would for a job interview.

If you haven't already, now is the time to come see for yourself what makes West Point one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education and leader development! Visits during the academic year include:

• Cadet life briefing with a first year cadet
• Walking tour with a cadet
• Attending a class
• Lunch in the cadet mess
• Admissions information briefing
• Parents club information briefing
• Individual file assessment with an Admissions Officer

You are competing against the nation's top tier of high school students for an offer of admission - there’s no room for “oops!” Stay on top of your file by frequently checking your Candidate Portal for notifications or updates on your application status. Make sure you have uploaded all the required documents. West Point does not offer rolling admissions, so deadlines are important. Files must be complete by January 31st of the year you are applying to enter. Required documents include:

• Transcripts
• School official evaluation
• Candidate statement
• Candidate Fitness Assessment
• Medical Exam (DoDMERB)
• Nominations
• Interview

Questions to ask:

• Have you sent all of your nomination requests? Did you meet their deadlines?
• Have your ACT and/or SAT scores been sent to us?
• Have you completed the forms in your candidate kit?
• Are you practicing the six performance areas for your Candidate Fitness Assessment?
• Have you had the Qualifying Medical Examination (DoDMERB)?