Military
Highland Park High School is very proud of our relationship with the United States Military and its Service Academies. Highland Park graduates have served with distinction in all branches of the military as both enlisted men and women and officers through the Service Academies and ROTC programs. Not only do these students honor themsleves and their families through their service to our country, but also help themsleves individually through forging viable college and career paths, including scholarships that help pay for education for whatever their future plans may be.
When a student approaches us with an interest in military service it is customary to go over the different ways that one can serve. Below you will find information on these various avenues:
United States Service Academies
ROTC Programs/Military Institutes
Military Service Academies
Military Academy Information
These are the five service academies that students can apply to:
Army - The United States Military Academy - West Point
Navy - United States Naval Academy
Air Force - United States Air Force Academy
Merchant Marines - United States Merchant Marine Academy
Coast Guard - United States Coast Guard Academy
The process of applying for to the Service Academies takes concentration, attention to detail, and following the prescribed timeline strictly. Meet with your postsecondary counselor early in the Spring of Junior year to prepare the necessary materials to apply for your nominations to the multiple elected officials, ROTC programs, and summer programs. Make sure you request teacher recommendations 2nd semester of Junior year from two teachers, one in mathematics and one in science.
Students applying for the US Service Academies are encouraged to also apply to ROTC programs. Since ROTC students will receive financial aid and a commissioned officer rank, it is important to consider this as a backup plan. (Please refer to the ROTC program page under the Military section for more details.)
Students with learning differences who have an IEP or 504 plan in high school should reach out to their Counselor/Postsecondary Counselor as soon as they have identified an interest in applying to one of the service academies as there are special considerations for these students that need to be discussed.
Service Academies/ROTC Timelines
Nomination Process
Before students can apply to the Service Academies, students will need a nomination from an elected official, during the Spring of Junior year.
-Apply to the 2 IL senators, your Congressional representative & the Vice President. If you are NOT nominated through any of these competitive processes, you could still be placed on a national wait list.
-Nominators evaluate candidates during the summer and make decisions in early fall. Applicants need to visit each official’s website for specific nomination instructions & timelines.
-Once you have submitted your nomination applications, apply to each Service Academy application through their website.
Chicago Area Service Academy Nominators
-IL Senators – apply to both Senators
-IL Representatives - nomination should be from your district
-The Vice President
-It is also possible to receive a nomination from someone who is serving or who has served in the US military.