Service Academies

If you’ve thought about spending a chapter of your life in the Military and haven’t yet started applying to colleges, you might consider one of our nation’s prestigious Service academies. Combining world-class education with dedicated physical training, these schools are purpose-built to develop the next generation of military leaders.

What Is a Service Academy?

America’s Service academies are legendary, highly selective institutions, right up there with the most elite public and private colleges and universities. These schools command considerable respect, and many of their alumni have gone on to achieve incredible success in both the Military and in civilian life, including three U.S. presidents, 21 astronauts and hundreds of successful entrepreneurs.

U.S. Military Academy (USMA)

One of the oldest Service academies, USMA, is located in West Point, NY, and prepares students (called cadets) to be officers in the U.S. Army.

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U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)

With an emphasis on intensive naval training, the USNA, is located in Annapolis, MD, and is tasked with training officers for the Navy and Marine Corps.

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U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA)

Offering strong programs in aerospace engineering and physical sciences from its campus in Colorado Springs, CO, USAFA cultivates future leaders for the Air Force and Space Force.

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U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)

Rather than training students for a specific branch of the Military, USMMA, in Kings Point, NY, focuses on developing officers for the maritime industry and commercial shipping, though it still offers the option to serve in the Military upon graduation.

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U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA)

With a curriculum emphasizing maritime safety, law enforcement, and environmental protection, USCGA, located in New London, CT, is tasked with training the future officers of the—you guessed it—Coast Guard.

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Service Academy Eligibility

As you think about applying to one of the Service academies, there are some requirements to consider. To be eligible to join an academy, you must be:

a citizen of the United States.
of good moral character.
unmarried with no dependents.
at least 17, but fewer than 23 years of age by July 1 of the year you plan to attend.

To learn more about these requirements and the Service academies themselves, check out the at-a-glance links above.

How To Apply to a Service Academy

To apply for one of the Service academies, you’ll have to go through a two-step application process. Step one is writing to your congressional representative or senator to request a nomination. While this may sound a little daunting, chances are they’ll be honored to help.

After you’ve secured your nomination, the second step is to complete testing — taking the SAT or ACT as you would for any other college, undergoing a medical examination and passing the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) physical exam. After these are done, complete and submit all forms to the academy or academies by their deadline. White House Process for Academies

Why Enroll at a Service Academy?

Admissions at Service academies are competitive for a reason. In addition to offering a fully funded, four-year education, Service academies are among the nation’s most prestigious schools in terms of quality of education and will look absolutely fantastic on a resume. And, few schools can compete with the benefits you’ll receive, like an annual stipend of $10,000 to cover personal expenses while a student, and secure employment as a military officer upon graduation.

Track Your Path: From Academy to Service

While the core curriculum at each Service academy is informed by the Service branches it serves, each academy features a similar core curriculum — a combination of science and mathematics, social sciences, and humanities — meant to offer students a well-rounded education in addition to their official training.

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Did You Know?

Due to the heavy emphasis on STEM coursework, every student graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree, even if they decide to major in humanities.

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