The five United States military academies prepare students to become officers while providing them with a free undergraduate degree—in exchange for military service.
Start your research EARLY because the first step of pre-qualification can open as early as January of your JUNIOR year! Several academies also offer summer programs and those application windows are typically early and brief. Some applications open as early as December 15th of your junior year of high school.
Except for the Coast Guard Academy, the military academies use a rigorous two-step application process.
Applicants must confirm eligibility with each service academy to which they're applying, or be "pre-qualified", before an application is released.The pre-qualification step can open as early as January of your JUNIOR year! If you are determined to be a qualified applicant, you'll then complete the admissions application.
Step #2 - Nomination
Applicants must apply for and obtain a nomination from their Congressional Representative or Senator. These nominations are highly competitive and require a separate application process and deadline for each of your Congressional members (check their websites for their application process).