Bill Pascrell, Representing the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey

Military Academies

There are five service academies in the United States which offer young men and woman a free college education at highly ranked, nationally recognized academies while preparing them for an officer's commission in the armed forces. The Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, the Military Academy, and the Naval Academy all require a nomination from an authorized nominating source. The Coast Guard Academy is the only service academy that offers appointments on the basis of an annual nationwide competition; there are no congressional nominations for the Coast Guard Academy.

Basic Requirements

Legal Requirements

• 17-22 years old, but not 23 years age by July 1st of year admitted
• United States Citizen
• Unmarried
• Not pregnant; with no legal obligation to support a child

Academic Qualifications

• Above average High School or College academic record
• Strong performance on ACT/ SAT
• High School Rank and recommendations from teachers

Medical Qualifications

• Good physical and mental health
• Pass a Qualifying Medical Exam

Physical Qualifications

• Above average strength, endurance, and agility
• Good performance on Physical Aptitude Exam

Leadership Qualifications

You should strive to develop the personal traits that will allow you to be an effective leader in school, church and community activities. Participation in secondary school extracurricular activities, both athletic and non-athletic, and the attainment of responsible positions in those activities, provide valuable leadership experience. You should try to make significant contributions in leadership positions on athletic teams, in club and class activities, and in church, scout, civic and community activities. Working to provide family financial support may limit participation in extracurricular activities at school. If so, that should be noted in your application.

Recommended Academic Preparation (High School)

English	4 Years
Mathematics (Including Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus)	4 Years
Laboratory Science	2 Years
Foreign Language	2 Years
US History	1 Year
Computer Science	1 Year

If you are interested in applying to an Academy, please send a copy of the "Congressional Academy Nomination Letter" located in your Admission Booklet, or the Academy website to our office at 200 Federal Plaza Ste 500 Paterson NJ 07505, by August of the summer before your Senior Year.

Any questions please contact Congressman Pascrell's office at 973-523-5152.

In order for your application to be considered for review, you must have completed the following steps which are all found in the packet obtained at Congressman Pascrell's office:

1. Complete the Application form, attaching a recent photograph (1 ½ x 1 ½) and mail it to my Paterson office.
2. Have your Principal or Guidance Counselor complete the Scholastic Information Form and give it to you in a sealed envelope.
3. Have three letters of recommendation from people such as school officials, activity supervisors, and public and private sector leaders, given to you in a sealed envelope.

Remember! The academy of your choice requires you to apply directly to them ALSO. Do not send application materials separately. Only SAT scores sent from the admissions testing program will be accepted separately. My SAT code is 2780 and my ACT code is 7531. You may only apply for a nomination to 1 (one) academy. We are no longer allowing students to apply to more than one academy.

Your file will be reviewed and you will be advised in November if you have qualified for the interview process. Interviews, required of all applicants, will be conducted on a two-tier system.

1. The applicant will be required to attend a brief introduction interview. The applicant will meet with the whole Academy Nomination Committee and will be given 3-5 minutes to introduce her/himself to the committee. The committee will answer any questions that the applicant may have and also ask the applicant questions if they so desire.
2. The applicant will be required to attend the final and official interview with the Academy Nomination Committee. This interview will take place in front of a selected amount of committee members, as well as representatives from the specific academies.

Nomination decisions will be finalized in the following week and all applicants will be notified through the mail approx. 2-3 weeks after their interview.

For more information please contact Fahim Abedrabbo in Congressman Pascrell's office at (973) 523-5152.

For more detailed information regarding the programs offered by each of the academies, you are encouraged to follow the links below. Each service academy has its own web site.