How do I apply to the Naval Academy?
The first step is to fill out a Precandidate Questionnaire. Once it is evaluated by the Naval Academy, you will be notified if you have been designated as an official candidate.
Do I have to turn in all of my application forms within 30 days?
No. There is nothing that tracks how long it has been since your packet was sent out from the Academy. The sooner you complete your application package, however, the sooner it will go before the Admissions board. Since USNA has a rolling Admissions cycle there are more openings in September than there are in January.
Will I receive a letter once my application packet is complete?
Yes. Once the Academy has all of your forms scanned in to the computer, you will receive a postcard stating that all forms have been received. Expect to receive this postcard approximately one month after you send in the last form.
Should I make copies of everything I send in to USNA?
Yes. The Naval Academy deals with close to a million pieces of mail each year, and unfortunately, not every piece arrives safely. It is further recommended that you send your application package materials by certified mail so you have proof of its arrival.
I'm interested in attending the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. How do I do it?
Please see the Academy's Summer Seminar web page for more information.
I completed my Preliminary Application, but I was not designated as an official candidate. May I still talk to a BGO?
Absolutely! One of the BGO's jobs is to counsel and assist interested students who may not yet meet the normal scholastic qualifying levels necessary to be declared an official candidate for admission to the Naval Academy. BGO contact information can be found by visiting the BGO page of this site.
How do I go about getting a nomination?
Candidates are required by law to obtain a nomination in order to be offered an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Every candidate is eligible for a nomination from the Vice President. Additionally, candidates may be eligible for nominations from the two Senators and one House Representative from their congressional district (where you claim residency). Additionally, those candidates who have a parent on active duty or that retired from active U.S. military service is also eligible for a Presidential nomination. Please apply to ALL nomination sources for which you are eligible, as this will enhance your application efforts. For more information, please see:
If I receive one nomination, should I tell the other sources to withdraw my name from consideration?
NO. You want as many nominations as you can get. Most nominations are competitive. A senator or congressman provides a list of 10 names and USNA selects the best one. If you are on several lists, the chances of you being the most competitive on at least one list significantly improves.
What if I am NOT a U.S. citizen?
Each year, there are several opportunities available for certain non-U.S. citizens to attend U.S. service academies. This is based on nation-to-nation agreements, and involves a specialized application procedure. Non-U.S. citizens must contact the U.S. Naval Attache at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country for details. The U.S. Naval Attache will be able to advise you as to whether your home country will be eligible to submit applications of their citizens to the Naval Academy via the U.S. State Department. Application procedures vary as do the service commitments in your own defense force. Service requirements after graduation vary from nation to nation, but in any case, service will NOT take place in the U.S. military.
What if I am a dual-national?
You must decide to apply as either a U.S. citizen or as a non-U.S. citizen. You should also consider the implications of service in the U.S. military as legally viewed by the other nation for which you claim citizenship.
How will do I get a medical exam?
The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB), the agency in charge of the medical aspect of applications to any service academy and/or ROTC program, will send you a medical packet identifying with whom you should schedule your medical exam. Usually the medical exam takes place at a U.S. military medical facility located within a reasonable distance. Should difficulties arise, contact your BGO for assistance.
Will I be contacted regarding my medical exam?
Yes. DODMERB will contact you directly. They will send you information regarding the scheduing of your medical examination.. If you are not located near a military medical facility, Concord (a private contractor) will contact you. If you have not heard anything 6 weeks after you received your application package, then contact your BGO for assistance.
Will I be contacted regarding the completion of my DODMERB medical exam?
Yes. You will either be sent a letter stating whether you are medically qualified, disqualified, or incomplete. This is the longest leg of the application. If DODMERB requests additional information, ensure you take action to send it back to them immediately.
What do I do if I am found to be medically disqualified?
You should have received a letter that tells you exactly what to do. It says to send a letter to the Senior Medical Officer if you want to try for a waiver or send a letter to DODMERB if you believe their information is incorrect.
Do I need to request a waiver for my eyesight?
It depends. You need to look in Appendix A of the catalog or the USNA Admission page for Eyes and Vision for the currnet standards.. It breaks down what is disqualifying and what is waiverable. You do not need to request a waiver even if you have less than 20/20 and meet the requirements in App. A.
If I do not have 20/20 vision, is it to my advantage to get corrective surgery? And will I be allowed to fly if I have the surgery?
It is not to your advantage to have corrective eye surgery. Currently, the U.S. Navy does not allow individuals who have had corrective eye surgery to enter into aviation training. In addition, if you have eye surgery, you will need to request a waiver to get into the Naval Academy. Check the USNA Admission page for Eyes and Vision for the currnet standards.
What if there are no local high school physical education (PE) teachers to administer the Physical Aptitude Exam (PAE)?
Use your best judgment in finding the nearest equivalent. Possibilities include a town sporting coach, an active duty military officer and an athletic director at a gymnasium.
When will I be notified if I was accepted or turned down to attend the Academy?
Usually you will hear from the Naval Academy no later than 15 April. Offers of appointment are made after 15 April.
 Can I visit the Naval Academy?
Yes. If you want to come for an overnight visit, you may sign up for one of ten candidate visit (CV) weekends conducted throughout the academic year. You may sign up for the weekends starting the last week in August. The visits begin on a Friday morning, conclude at 1100 on Saturday, and provide an opportunity to experience a day of classes and overnight in Bancroft hall with your assigned midshipman. The dates for the weekends are listed here.
If you do not want to spend the night, you can stop by the admissions office and attend one of the briefings during the day. The briefings are offered M-F at 9, 11, 2, and 4 or at 9 and 11 on Saturday. Reservations are not required.
Where is the United States Naval Academy located?
The U.S. Naval Academy's address is 121 Blake Road, Annapolis, MD, 21402-5000.
What should I bring to I-day?
The Academy issues most, if not all, necessities. You will receive a list in your Permit to Report Package specifying a few basic things to bring with you. You will be told to bring a small bag in which to deposit your civilian clothes after you are issued uniforms. This bag is then stored away and returned to you during Plebe Parents’ Weekend in August. In some cases, the items you are told to bring with you end up stored away until that time as well. Count on only being allowed to keep your watch (which should be an inexpensive shock resistant one) and wallet after you are issued your uniforms.
If your question does not appear in our FAQ list, please use the "Comments" section of USNA Prep's Contact Form or send an email to contact@usnaprep.com.
You can also visit the official U.S. Naval Academy’s FAQ page. |
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