Is it too late to try to apply?

I am a Senior in high school and recently found out about the service academies. I was planning on going to a state university, but after researching, I've decided that going into the academy would be the option I favored more. It has constantly been on my mind for the past month or so and it is something I really want to do. My grades are good and I tested well on the ACT, the only thing that is holding me back is the government nominations. I missed the cutoff for my congressmen's application, but I can still try and get the VP and Presidential nomination. Should I try to get those even though it is very unlikely that I will?

You won’t know unless you try. Get your apps in ASAP as I believe you only have a couple weeks left. State school and reapplying is not a bad backup plan.

Charlie Goodrich said:

I am a Senior in high school and recently found out about the service academies. I was planning on going to a state university, but after researching, I've decided that going into the academy would be the option I favored more. It has constantly been on my mind for the past month or so and it is something I really want to do. My grades are good and I tested well on the ACT, the only thing that is holding me back is the government nominations. I missed the cutoff for my congressmen's application, but I can still try and get the VP and Presidential nomination. Should I try to get those even though it is very unlikely that I will?

Click to expand...

It’s always worth a try, and keep in mind that many successfully re-apply to an SA from college. You have more than one shot at this until you age out

The Presidential nom is an eligibility-based one. If you’re eligible, apply and provide the required docs.

Apply for the VP, as everyone should. The SA evaluates and chooses those, no interaction with VP staff.

You’ll have to hustle to get everything else set in motion, including CFA and DoDMERB process.

You should continue work on your alternate plan at civilian schools. Does your state university have an ROTC detachment in your service of interest? Do the research on applying for ROTC scholarships, fast, because that process is already underway. ROTC units can also be participated in without a scholarship, and get you started on the path to an officer commission AND can be an additional nom source for the SA next cycle.

If you were to apply and are not successful this cycle, you will be “in the system” as a re-applicant next cycle, which shows determination and desire. Your medical exam is good for two years, you will know the ropes, and you may have a strong semester of college grades in plebe-like course to deliver.

Charlie Goodrich said:

I am a Senior in high school and recently found out about the service academies. I was planning on going to a state university, but after researching, I've decided that going into the academy would be the option I favored more. It has constantly been on my mind for the past month or so and it is something I really want to do. My grades are good and I tested well on the ACT, the only thing that is holding me back is the government nominations. I missed the cutoff for my congressmen's application, but I can still try and get the VP and Presidential nomination. Should I try to get those even though it is very unlikely that I will?

Click to expand...

+1 to everything the posters before me said. I will add that 28% of the naval academy’s class came from post-high school programs(prep schools, state colleges, etc). We see guys and gals get in to the academies ALL THE TIME while applying from college. If this is something you really want, prepare for the next admissions cycle as well as the current one.

Also, The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination, so if you apply there starting TODAY you will be at an even playing field with the other applicants. If service is something you really want, look into AROTC, NROTC, or AFROTC. There you will earn a commission as an officer at the SAME RANK as someone who went to the academies.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me with any questions, I’m applying to 3 SAs currently, so I have a little bit of the “inside scoop”.

You have time to apply to USNA this year, especially since the deadline was extended to Feb. 28. You probably don't have time to apply to the Members of Congress for a nom, since most have deadlines in Sept. or Oct. However, it's worth a call to each of your MOC's SA coordinators. In some parts of the country, MOCs may not get enough applicants to fill a slate so are more flexible with deadlines.

You also may want to look at USMMA. It requires noms but you can apply to any/every MOC in your state, not just your Rep, so again, more flexibility. USMMA isn't as well known and thus doesn't usually have as many applicants, so there might be open slots on some MOC's slates. It's a great school and you can commission into the USN out of USMMA.

I also advise talking to your BGO about your specific situation -- whether it makes sense to apply this year or build up your "resume" and apply next year.

OP any chance you play a sport that the academy might be interested in?

It can’t hurt if you do

Get the applications open and see if you can get enough done to knock out DODmerb. That is good for two years and will put you ahead in the 2026 cycle.

Don't overlook the ROTC scholarship programs as a springboard to the SAs. The ROTC scholarship applications do not start closing until end of the December and do not require a nomination.

Reach out to local armed forces recruiter; they have a vested interest in having a kid get a ROTC scholarship. They will help, especially if you have top academics and scores.

Not a bad backup plan to attend college with ROTC scholarship and then come back strong for the 2026 application process.

As Capt MJ said, applying out of a ROTC program allows two routes - (1) nomination from MOC and (2) nomination out of the ROTC unit.