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. 

Military - ROTC & Institutes

What is ROTC?

ROTC is a college-based program for training commissioned officers (typically a 2nd Lieutenant) of the US Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, & Navy). ROTC students attend college like other college students, but also receive basic military training and officer training for their chosen branch of service.

Are financial awards available?

In exchange for military service, ROTC cadets typically receive competitive merit-based scholarships, covering all or part of tuition, room and board. These awards can range from full to partial scholarships.

What is the difference between the Service Academies and ROTC?

Although receiving the same rank of a 2nd Lieutenant, ROTC students are allowed a more traditional college experience compared to cadets attending a military academy.  

How do I apply?

Follow the links below for websites for the Service Academies ROTC homepages. Learn about the similarities and differences of each program. You can also create your account and begin the application, if you choose. It is strongly recommended to apply to all 3 programs. Each college has their own webpage with specific information about their ROTC programs.

• Army ROTC 
• Air Force ROTC 
• Navy ROTC

Service Academies/ROTC Timelines

Do I need a nomination for ROTC?

No, nominations are only required for the service academies.

If I’m applying to the Service Academies should I apply to ROTC programs?

YES! Students applying for the US Service Academies are encouraged to apply to ROTC programs. Since ROTC students will receive financial aid and a commissioned officer rank, it is important to have this as a backup plan. 

I’m applying to multiple colleges, do I have to apply to each college’s ROTC program?

No, once you apply, students can list up to 10 colleges. Add your top 3 or 4 colleges in order. You may be selected to your second or third choice over your number one choice based on each campus ROTC needs. All students must apply to at least a public state university, but it does not have to be Illinois. This answer was gathered from multiple ROTC websites, but always verify with your specific colleges.

Can I apply to multiple ROTC programs?

Yes, it is recommended to apply to Army ROTC, Navy ROTC, & Air Force ROTC.

Do I need to do an interview?

Yes, it is required to interview at your nearest ROTC office, even if you are attending an ROTC program at another university or in another state.

What is my time commitment?

Follow these links for specific commitment information. Always double check with your university and ROTC liaison to be absolutely certain of your commitments:

Army 

Air Force  

Navy

 

Military Institutes

Military Institutes such as the Virginia Military Institute mirror the type of education and environment offered at the United States Service Academies.  They have ROTC programs for all of the major branches of the military and students can enroll in any.  The main difference between these institutes and the Service Academies is that student's can opt to pay tuition to attend these schools.  As a result they can accept or refuse their officer's commission upon graduation.  

 

 

Military - Enlistment

Military service has long been a path for social and economic mobility for thousands of young American men and women. Service is both a way to see the world and to learn valuable skills that can be transferred into civilian life. Many enlistees wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend college or purchase a house without the benefits associated with military service. Furthermore, veterans who forego college are likely to earn higher pay than nonveterans who do the same.

The responsibility, focus, and discipline military service teaches can benefit you for life. However, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the risks, as well as the benefits, of military service and what the commitment to a career in the U.S. armed forces entails. Below are several links to help you learn more about the requirements and how to enlist in the military as well as articles providing the pros/cons to consider when making this decision about your next step after graduation from high school.

• Requirements and Information on Enlisting in branches of the US Military 
• Making a Pro/Con List for Enlisting in the Miltary
• ASVAB testing information
• Steps Involved and Questions to Consider

Remember to discuss this option and questions you have with your postsecondary counselor.

Service Academy & ROTC Application Timeline

Freshman & Sophomore Year:

Academics

-Earn A’s & B’s throughout high school

-Take challenging college-prep courses and honors and AP where possible

-Take the PSAT (students will take the ACT/SAT at the end of 11th grade)

 
Leadership – Position yourself to become a leader by 11th grade

-Participate in clubs or organizations in your community, school, or church.

-Work toward becoming a leader in the organizations to which you belong.

-Ask a teacher, coach or guidance counselor to help you find ways to serve.

 
Physical – Improve your physical strength and endurance

-Participate in intramural sports or join one of your school’s athletic teams

-RUN! & Practice the Candidate Fitness Assessment events

 

Event – Attend the United States Service Academy Informational Meeting 

-Hear from representatives from the academies, ROTC, liaison officers, senate and congressional aides.

-Takes place at Vernon Hills High School every year in March.

 
Junior Year:
Start Early

Applying to the Service Academies takes more time than applying to other colleges.  Although the application opens in January of your junior year, we recommend beginning your application process in late April-early June. You will continuously update it over the course of the following year.  Use the Application Timeline as a guide throughout the process.

• • • United States Military Academy
    • United States Naval Academy
    • Air Force Academy

 
Explore the Campuses - Visit each campus to learn about cadet life. Learn everything you can while you’re there!

 
Attend the Summer Leaders Experience - Apply to attend the Service Academies’ week-long Summer Program during the summer before senior year. You’ll experience firsthand what it means to be a cadet. It is possible to do multiple summer programs.

Use these following links - Army - Air Force - Navy

 
Sharpen Academic Skills - Continue to take college-preparatory & AP courses to sharpen your academic abilities. Take the SAT/ACT in the Spring of 11th grade. Some Academies will accept your highest composite test score (Air Force) while others will take your Super-Score (Army, Navy).

Be a Leader - Assume leadership positions in school, church, scouting, athletics & community activities. Show that you have experience to build upon.

Get Fit - Improve your physical conditioning through cross-country running and swimming. RUN! & join a strenuous team sport. Practice for the Candidate Fitness Assessment, an admission requirement.

Event – Attend the United States Service Academy Informational Meeting to hear from representatives from the academies, ROTC, liaison officers, senate and congressional aides.

Senior Year:
Academics

Continue to perform your personal best in high school academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

-Earn A’s and B’s in the toughest courses you can take; do especially well in calculus, trigonometry, and physics

-Excel on the athletic field

-Become a leader in school gov’t, clubs or other organizations

-Visit Campus

-Spend a day with a cadet

-Schedule an overnight visit

-Monitor Your Cadet File

-Have you sent your nomination requests?

-Have you sent your ACT & SAT test scores?

-Have you completed the necessary forms and assessments?

-Have you prepared for the Candidate Fitness Assessment?

 
If you have any questions about applying to a service academy, please speak with your Postsecondary Counselor.