DON'T PROCRASTINATE!  BEGIN THE PROCESS EARLY!
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The admissions process to the US service academies is an extensive and very competitive process. The US Military Academy at West Point, the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs all require an applicant to submit an on-line file and proceed through pre-candidate qualification before an application is provided. The US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point New York requires an applicant to submit part 1 of the 3 part application prior to receiving a nomination. All these schools have an extremely competitive application process and are ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.com as some of the most selective colleges and universities in America. The average acceptance rate is between 8-17% for each of the schools.

Here are 10 tips to give you an edge in getting into one of these elite institutions:
1. Get the grades. You have to be among the best to be a cadet. Ninety percent of cadets were in the top 20% of their class. But, the academies want well-rounded people. Good grades are a starting point, not the finish line.
2. Practice testing. The ACT and SAT are critical. Find out what scores you need at the websites listed below.  Keep Testing until you score high enough to be above the average.
3. Be an athlete. Not everyone is an intercollegiate athlete, but most cadets play intramural sports, face fitness tests and undergo strenuous physical training.
4. Be a leader. The academies are looking for leaders. Participation in clubs and extracurriculars is not enough. Become a club officer or class officer. Work hard to earn school, athletic and community awards. Awards separate you from the pack.
5. Be involved in the community. Leaders care. Show you care by routinely volunteering or working in community programs.
6. Ace the interview. Your interview with the academy liaison officer is a big deal. You will be asked about citizenship, reasons for attending and even about current events. Read the newspaper before your interview. Practice with your family. Answer in clear, thoughtful sentences.
7. Know your Congressman. You need an official nomination to get into the academies (except the Coast Guard Academy). These come from Senators, Congressmen, the Vice President and the President. Apply to all the sources, but get to personally know the ones you can. Volunteer in their office. Write them letters. Make appointments to see them.
8. Go for more than one. Congressman and Senators have a limited number of nominations for each academy. By considering all four academies you increase your chances of getting in.
9. Attend summer programs. Each academy offers programs for exceptional students during the summer before their senior year. These programs provide an up close look at the academies and what cadet life is like. Your counselor can help you apply.
10. Start now! While the academies don't start official applications until your junior year in high school, you should start early. Write and get the pre-candidate questionnaires and candidate kits. Talk to your academic advisor. Talk to your Congressman. Meet the academy liaison officer for your area. Let everyone know you have a dream and a plan to make it real.
Retrieved 6/19/18 10:13am from https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/us-military-academies-overview.html

United States Military Academy (West Point, New York)
United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)
United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut)
United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York)

The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success.. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.    Your scores in four critical areas -- Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge (see below) -- count towards your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT score determines whether you're qualified to enlist in the U.S. military.
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Your scores in the other areas of the ASVAB will determine how qualified you are for certain military occupational specialties and Enlistment Bonuses. A high score will improve your chances of getting the specialty/job and signing bonus you want.
Scoring high on the ASVAB will require study and concentration. Don't skimp on preparing for this test. It's your future. Get the most out of it.

ASVAB: In-depth career exploration and information @ www.asvabprogram.com