The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) takes in thousands of applications each year (2021 alone saw over 11,000). Given how large the pool of academy hopefuls can be, admissions are highly competitive. And that’s to say nothing of perhaps the most crucial part of the process: securing a nomination.
What is a nomination, and why is it important?
A nomination is a formal recommendation from a certain political authority from either the U.S. Executive or Legislative Branches. What a nomination is not is a formal appointment. Both nominations and appointments hold distinct meanings in USAFA admissions process.
Nomination
A nomination is the legal authorization required for the Academy to consider you for an appointment. In simple terms, it’s a recommendation from a source (such as a U.S. Senator, Congressman, or the Vice President) that allows the Academy to evaluate your application for acceptance. Without a nomination, you cannot be considered for an appointment to the Academy.
Appointment
An appointment comes when an applicant is officially offered a slot to attend the Academy. It means you have been accepted into USAFA and can begin training.
How does an applicant receive an appointment?
The process for securing an appointment to USAFA is a two-parter, consisting of a nomination and Academy application. Candidates should pursue nominations while also working on their application – they happen simultaneously. Once you’ve received a nomination and applied, you’re eligible to receive an appointment.
What are the four primary nomination sources?
There are four primary avenues through which an applicant can pursue USAFA nominations. The three most conventional options include nominations from Congress, the Vice President, or the President. If you have prior military service, you might also qualify for the Prior Enlisted and Military-Affiliated nomination.
1. Congressional Nominations
The most common nomination comes from U.S. Senators and Representatives. Each member of Congress can write referrals for candidates to USAFA, though there are some differences between how the two chambers process requests:
- U.S. Senators: Each state has two U.S. Senators who can nominate candidates for the USAF.
- U.S. Representative: Members of the House can also nominate candidates for the Academy, but these nominations are often specific to their Congressional district.
Members of Congress are typically allowed to nominate up to 10 candidates each per year. This can mean tough competition, especially in more populous districts. Congressional nominations are commonly made through the Competitive List method, where officials submit their 10 nominees and let the Academy handle selection. Another nomination pathway is the Principal and Alternate method, where one of the 10 nominees is given priority, and the other nine are submitted as ranked alternates. Sometimes, Congressional nominators will combine the two approaches, submitting one name as a priority and the remaining nine as a Competitive List.
The Academy often has more qualified nominees than there are available slots. As a result, even if you aren’t selected as the principal nominee, you could still be placed on the National Waiting List. This list ranks applicants by their composite score, and once USAFA has filled its primary slots, it will offer appointments to those whose selection was deferred.
2. Vice Presidential Nominations
In addition to Congressional nominations, applicants can also apply for a nomination from the Vice President. Just like senators and representatives, the Vice President can nominate up to 10 applicants for a vacancy. The Academy then reviews all applications and selects nominees based on appointment criteria.
3. Presidential Nominations
If your parent or guardian is active-duty military, retired, or a reservist, you could potentially qualify for a Presidential Nomination. The U.S. President can make an unlimited number of nominations, but appointments are typically capped at 100 each year. While receiving a Presidential nomination doesn’t guarantee an appointment, it significantly improves your chances.
Applicants can find the current Service Academies Application Form here.
4. Prior Enlisted and Military-Affiliated Nominations
Applicants who were previously enlisted in the USAF or other military branches fall into a special nomination category, provided they have a few years of service behind them. Additionally, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets could find themselves eligible for this special class of nominations based on their involvement in the program. Applicants from the JROTC must be from a distinguished unit to be considered for a nomination.
Should I limit myself to one nomination source?
No. As mentioned earlier, you should apply to every nomination source for which you qualify. This vastly increases your chances of securing a nomination and, hopefully, receiving an appointment to USAFA.
In other words, if you qualify for both a Presidential and Congressional nomination, don’t just apply to the latter. Apply to both. Sending out multiple requests will increase your chances of at a nomination. And the nominations you have, the higher the likelihood of your appointment.
Final tips for securing a nomination
Securing a nomination can be stressful. But having a clear plan of action will help keep your mind clear and your candidacy moving in the right direction.
Start early
The nomination process is lengthy, so it’s important to jump right in. If you’re still in high school, don’t wait until too far into your junior year. Start the process as soon as you can. This way, you won’t have to worry about missing deadlines, being boxed out by other applications, or overlooking something important.
Be organized
Keeping track of multiple applications and nomination requests is no easy task. That’s why getting – and staying -- organized is critical. Create a checklist to help you keep track of all those from whom you’ve requested a nomination, their responses, and other specifics related to your application package.
Build a strong case
When applying for a nomination, you need to demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for USAFA. Don’t pull any punches. Brag about your academic achievements,
talk up your physical fitness, demonstrate your leadership skills, and showcase your level of involvement in community service.
Embrace the National Waiting List
Even if you don’t receive a nomination, there’s a good chance you’ll still make it onto the National Waiting List. Getting waitlisted isn’t the same as getting benched. On the contrary, it opens the door for an appointment…so don’t lose hope if you don’t receive a nomination right away!
Keep at it
The process can be long and competitive, but persistence is key. Keep applying to all the nomination sources you can and make sure your Academy application is as strong as possible. Persistence pays off, and many successful applicants receive their nomination and appointment after a few years of effort.
Conclusion
Securing a nomination to the USAF isn’t just an important step – it’s a necessary one. With a nomination in hand, your odds of landing an appointment and getting accepted as a cadet skyrocket.
It’s important to remember that while the process can be grueling and at times anxiety-inducing, putting forth a solid effort is the best way to influence a positive outcome. Remember to stay organized, start early, and stay persistent, and you’ll be well on your way to receiving an appointment. Good luck!
If you want to take the next step and maximize your chance of getting accepted into the Air Force Academy, you can enroll in our full Academy Blueprint online course, here.
