• 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.

     
    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.