Military Academy Nominations
Please submit this form to begin the application process for a nomination from Congresswoman Friedman to a United States Service Academy.
Applications for the class of 2030 are now open.
The deadline for additional application materials is 5:00 PM PST on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Answers to frequently asked questions for those seeking a Service Academy nomination can be found below.
- What is a nomination?
Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following:
- A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides
- Both U.S. Senators from his or her state
- Apply directly to the Vice-President of the United States
There also exists service-connected nominations that are conferred when a candidate meets certain criteria relating to their own or their parents' military service. Please visit the academy websites for more information about the eligibility requirements for other, non-Congressional sources of nominations.
You are allowed to, and in fact highly encouraged to, apply for multiple nominations from other sources at the same time as applying for a nomination from Congresswoman Laura Friedman.
- What are the basic eligibility requirements?
Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:
- Age: Must be at least 17 years old and must not have passed your 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year of entrance (25th birthday for the Merchant Marine Academy only)
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
- Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the 30th Congressional District of California.
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy
- When do I apply for a nomination?
The nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors and will be seniors the following school year, or who have already graduated.
- What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?
The deadline for submitting a nomination packet to the District Office is normally mid-October. Please email LFriedmanServiceNom@mail.house.gov with any questions
- What must be included in my nomination file?
- Service Academy Nomination Application Form
- Unofficial transcripts from all high schools, community colleges, universities, and other educational institutions that you have attended and are currently attending
- Minimum of three letters of recommendation from anyone other than family members, with at least one letter coming from a teacher at an educational institution that you have attended or are currently attending
- A personal essay (one page long, single-spaced, and maximum 500 words) explaining why you want to attend a Service Academy and how you plan to give back to your community if you attend a Service Academy
- Resume that contains your extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, and honors/awards
- American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
- Letters of Assurance (LOA) and/or Letters of Encouragement (LOE) from Service Academies if available
- Current professional, wallet-sized photograph
- What happens after I have completed my nomination file?
Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in late October or early November.
- What criteria is used in selecting candidates?
Nominations are based on a "whole person" evaluation. Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character and motivation are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.
- How many academies are there?
There are five service academies.
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut
- Are the requirements the same for all of the service academies?
No. Although many of the qualifications are similar, each academy operates under its own admissions guidelines. Visit the academy of your choice via the websites noted for each academy's particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.
- Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
Some of the people applicants typically seek recommendations from include:
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Employers
- Coaches
- Clergy
- Scout Leaders
A specific recommendation form is not required. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.
- Will I automatically be selected by the academy after I receive a nomination?
No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the academy of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the academy.
- What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?
No. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to win multiple appointments.
- When will I know if I have been offered an appointment by an academy?
Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May.