About the academies. United States Military Academy (West Point) ; United States Naval Academy ; United States Coast Guard Academy ; United States Merchant Marine Academy ; United States Air Force Academy ; United States Senior Military Colleges/ROTC ; Preparatory schools ; Graduate schools ; Which academy should you choose?
Is a service academy right for you? Basic requirements ; Workload ; Regimentation ; Restricted social life ; Service obligation ; Desire and willingness ; Self-assessment
Getting ready to apply. Start early ; Advice for late starters ; Special situations ; The "whole person" evaluation process ; Shouldering a heavy load ; Academics ; Athletics ; Extracurricular activities ; Opportunities outside school ; Community service ; Learning and adventure ; Work ; Choose your own adventure
The applications process. General tips ; West Point ; Naval Academy ; Coast Guard Academy ; Merchant Marine Academy ; Air Force Academy ; How you are evaluated ; Managing your portal
Getting a nomination. Understanding nominations ; Sources of nominations ; International cadets ; Merchant Marine Academy nominations ; Do I need to bribe my congressperson? ; How the Congressional nominations process works
Special issues and concerns. Recruited athletes ; Economically disadvantaged/hardship candidates ; Diversity recruiting ; Women ; LGBT ; Religious preference ; Foreign/dual citizenship ; Homeschooled or nontraditional education ; Trouble ; Former cadets
Candidate fitness assessment and medical clearance. Candidate Fitness Assessment ; Medical clearance (DoDMERB)
Acceptances and rejections. I finished my application. Now what? ; Candidate visits ; Letters of assurance ; Types of admission ; When will I hear? ; How will I hear? ; What if I don't get in? ; Steps following acceptance ; Reporting for duty ; The shock of transition and the morale curve
Appendix I. Laws governing appointments to the academies ; Appendix II. Class profiles
Appendix IV. Presidential nomination letters.
