United States
Naval Academy
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for the United States Naval Academy if you meet the following criteria:
A United States Citizen
At least 17 years of age and must not have passed 23rd birthday on July 1st of year of entry
Unmarried
Not pregnant and no dependents
Have a valid Social Security Number (If you do not have a Social Security number you can apply for a card here https://www.ssa.gov)
If you are in high school but are not old enough to apply, you can register with USNA to receive information about our Summer Programs.
Preliminary Application
You must submit a preliminary application to become an official candidate for next year's class. You can submit a preliminary application if you…
will be a senior in high school next year
are currently in your senior year of high school
are a current college student looking to transfer
Upon completion of your preliminary application, Admissions will review it to determine your competitiveness for receiving a candidate number. Receipt of a candidate number will then indicate your designation as an Official Candidate for admission. Within your candidate letter, there will be important instructions on how to proceed with completing your official application.
You will need the following information to complete the preliminary application:
Social Security Number
High School Educational Testing Service (ETS) Code
High School Class Rank
Congressional State and District
Full Zip Code
SAT, ACT or PSAT scores
If you have applied for our Summer Seminar program you do not need to submit a preliminary application, as they are the same application.
Apply for Nomination
You must obtain a nomination from an official source, which normally includes U.S. Representatives or U.S. Senators representing your Congressional district or State, respectively, and the Vice President of the United States. Applying for a nomination is similar to applying for a school. Being personally acquainted with the nominator is not required. We encourage you to apply to all available sources.
It is recommended that you submit your letter of application for nominations immediately after you complete your preliminary application. Do not wait until you receive a nomination to begin your formal USNA application. Many nomination notifications do not go out until early to mid-January and the deadline for the USNA application is January 31. Your nominator will notify us of your nomination. You do not need to notify the Academy.
Nomination Process and Reference Information
Find Your Senators & Congressman:
Nomination Applications:
(Contact your Senators and Congressman for their respective applications.)
Nomination Sources:
College Entrance Exams
The Naval Academy requires candidates to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) prior to admission. We evaluate candidates based on the highest score in each individual category if you elect to take these tests multiple times.
Note: You may use your PSAT scores for the preliminary qualification; however, these will not be used as final admissions criteria.
Test scores should be forwarded to the Naval Academy using the appropriate College Code Numbers:
SAT Code – 5809
ACT Code – 1742
Check with your school counselor or visit the SAT and ACT website for test dates and registration requirements. We will accept any ACT or SAT test that is taken before January 31, even if the results arrive after. We do not accept test scores from a test taken with accommodations.
Fee waiver information for SAT and ACT.
Transcript
In addition to completing your Candidate Academic Information, your high school counselor should mail an official transcript to USNA.
Transcripts should include your candidate number and be mailed to the following address:
Office of Admissions
52 King George Street
Annapolis, MD 21402
Medical Examination
The Naval Academy program is physically challenging and we require all candidates to undergo a thorough medical examination.
The Admissions Department will submit your name to the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) who will contact you about scheduling your medical examination. DoDMERB will carefully review your medical exam to determine if you meet the medical standards for admission. Approximately one month after your physical exam is completed, you will receive (by mail) a status report of the DoDMERB findings. DoDMERB may request that you provide additional information/records regarding illnesses, injuries, surgery, familial diseases, and other factors that could affect your medical status. You may also be asked to schedule follow-up appointments to determine your current medical status. You may check on the status of your medical exam by referring to the DoDMERB website.
If you have a disqualifying condition, you will be automatically considered for a waiver if/when you receive a Conditional Offer of Appointment. You do not need to request a waiver, nor should you send additional medical information to the Naval Academy for review. A waiver of the medical standard may be granted if both your academic record and medical history suggest the risk introduced by the disqualifying condition is justified by your potential for success as a midshipman and as a naval officer. Many candidates will be required to provide additional information to DoDMERB after their first disqualifying medical condition has been waived. This additional information may result in other disqualifying conditions - which will also be considered for waiver. Major medical considerations are summarized in Appendix A: Medical Considerations Document. This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of all disqualifying conditions; it is a brief and general summary for your convenience.
Candidate Fitness Assessment
The Candidate Fitness Assessment is used to evaluate coordination, strength, speed, agility, and endurance. If you are accustomed to regular physical activity, you should have no difficulty with the assessment. Maintaining a high level of physical fitness during high school is strongly encouraged to prepare you to meet the physical demands of Plebe Summer and life as a midshipman.
The test consists of a one-mile run, a 'shuttle' run, a kneeling basketball throw, abdominal crunches, push-ups, and pull-ups or a flexed-arm hang for women (when pull-ups cannot be accomplished) and can be administered by a physical education teacher, a team coach, a current JROTC instructor, a commissioned officer, or a Blue and Gold officer (BGO).
Candidate Fitness Assessment Instructions
Interview
An official interview with a Blue and Gold Officer is the final step in completing your application.
Blue and Gold Officers are volunteers composed of Naval Academy graduates, parents of midshipmen or graduates, and civilians. Located in every state, they are qualified to guide and support you towards your final decision and through your midshipmen experience.
All candidates should contact their Blue and Gold Officer immediately upon receipt of their official candidate letter. The contact information for your BGO is located on the Candidate Information Page. The preferred communication method for most Blue and Gold Officers is email. Ensure the email address provided in your application is valid and checked regularly. If you do not know who your assigned Blue and Gold Officer is, you may contact the Area Coordinator to find out.
Selection Process & Deadlines
Maximize your opportunity for admission by paying close attention to deadlines and keeping track of application requirements.
Applicants who qualify for admission are categorized by the following:
Outstanding Achievement - Students who have an outstanding achievement record will receive a Letter of Assurance. This letter indicates our intent to extend an Offer of Appointment and could be received as early as September of your senior year in high school.
Board Qualified - Students who do not receive a Letter of Assurance will be selected from within your nominating sources for an Offer of Appointment.
Additional notes to keep in mind:
On average, of the 3000 students who fully qualify for the Naval Academy, 1,400 will receive appointments and approximately 1,200 become midshipmen.
The USNA uses a "rolling admissions" selection process. Most candidates will be notified of their final status by April 15.
All appointees should notify the Admissions Office of their intention to accept or decline by May 1.
After December 31, new applications to the Class of 2027 will not be accepted.
Applications must be completed by January 31 or will not be considered for admittance into the USNA.