General Qualifications

Citizenship

Applicants must be a US Citizen, or have obtained citizenship by the time of their high school graduation.

State and District Residency

Applicants seeking Nominations from Congressman Platts must be residents of the 19th Congressional District and official residents of Pennsylvania.

Age

By July 1st of the entering year, applicants must be at least 17 years of age, but must not exceed 23 years of age.

Physical Requirements

All applicants must pass a Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). See each Academy’s website for details.

Medical Examination

All Applicants must pass a Department of Defense Medical Review Board (DoDMeRB) medical examination.

Moral Character

All cadets and midshipmen must be of strong moral character and live under an Honor Code. All applicants should review each Academy’s Honor Code in order to understand its importance.

Marital Status

Applicants must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

Academic Requirements

Your academic composite (GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores) account for 60% of your selection score to an Academy. Each Academy has specific academic requirements with regards to GPA, Class Rank, SAT and ACT scores. Please see the Academy Information pages for details.

Nomination

Applicants for the US Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval Academies must receive a Nomination from a member of the US Congress or from the Vice President of the United States. Visit each Academy’s website for information about the specific requirements and restrictions for Presidential and ROTC Nominations. The US Coast Guard Academy does not require a Nomination to attend—apply directly to the US Coast Guard Academy.