|
Academy Nominations:
Since
1802, many of America’s finest students have
competed to enroll as cadets or midshipmen at the
nation’s five prestigious United States service
academies. Within the corridors of these historic
institutions, ambition, aptitude, and talent are
rewarded with some of the best and most affordable
educational opportunities available in America.
These
academies, operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Merchant Marines, and Coast Guard, are five of the
best kept secrets in American higher education.
Not only do these schools rival the best private
colleges in the country in terms of quality of
education, they do so at no cost to
the student or family. In exchange for this free
education, the students agree to accept
commissioning for a number of years as an officer
in the armed services or the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Careful
attention is paid to each individual cadet or
midshipman at the academies. Student/teacher
ratios are generally lower at the academies than
at other colleges, and students’ progress is
closely monitored to ensure peak performance.
Graduates leave the service academies with the
intellectual, social, and leadership skills
necessary to succeed in any career or environment.
Although
these academies offer seemingly limitless
opportunities to excel, enrollment is limited by
law. The academies are interested in the
"whole person" perspective, giving
weight to all facets of an individual’s
character including intelligence, creativity, and
leadership qualities.
In
this competitive application process, students who
display excellence in the classroom, on the
athletic fields, and in the community are most
likely to be selected.
For
all service academies except the Coast Guard,
individuals must be nominated by one of several
federal officials, including the Vice President,
U.S. Senators, and U.S. Representatives. An
appointment is an actual offer of admission from
the academy made directly to a nominated
applicant. Coast Guard candidates apply directly
to the academy.
The
process is open to anyone with the desire and
determination to apply, and my nominations, which
are based on the recommendations of an independent
academy review board, are made solely on the basis
of merit. Application requirements may vary for
different nominating sources, so it is important
to contact each source individually. Students may
also apply to more than one academy at the same
time.
Students
interested in one of the five academies should
contact Senator Snowe in the spring or summer of
their junior year in high school, and no later
than the fall of their senior year. Applicants
must be at least 17 and no more than 22 years old
as of July 1 of the year of admission to a service
academy. Interested young men and women from
throughout Maine can contact any of Senator
Snowe's offices for information about service
appointments.
Academy Nominations:
Q&A
Q: How does one apply to attend a U.S. Military Academy?
A: Senator Snowe accepts applications postmarked through November 1st from Maine residents between the ages 17 to 22, who wish to attend an academy beginning in July of the following year. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and legal residents of Maine and must never
have been married. As a U.S. Senator, Senator Snowe may nominate up to ten candidates for each vacancy
at:
-
US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
-
US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
-
US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York
-
US Military Academy, West Point, New York
While
the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut
accepts nominations, admissions are made through a
direct, rolling admission or early admission
process.
It is important to indicate which academy is preferred. If more than one is desired, please list them in the order of choice.
Links to additional information are provided below
for each academy.
Q: What do you look for when selecting your
top ten?
A: The military academy selection process is very competitive. Although standards vary somewhat among the academies, the candidates all show outstanding performance in academics, leadership, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs
and community involvement. The academies especially stress the importance of leadership both in and out of school.
After Senator Snowe submits her nominees, each individual school then selects the candidates of their choice. At any
given time, Senator Snowe can have a maximum of five appointees at each academy.
Q:
How does one
receive an application packet?
A: To receive an application packet, please contact
Senator Snowe at:
United States Senator Olympia Snowe
Attn: Cheryl Leeman
3 Canal Plaza, Suite 601
Portland, Maine 04101
cheryl_leeman@snowe.senate.gov
(207) 874-0883
|
