DC resident / process for Academy appointments

[Anonymous]

Thanks in advance for some broad big picture thinking. My child is entering high school and has some interest in the Academies (primarily Air Force or Naval). We moved to DC a few years ago and aren't well versed in "how things work around here" for academies - and as child is just entering high school have no connections with guidance counselors or college counselors. It's all sort of abstract at the moment so thought I'd start here for any pointers or thoughts about the process.

I had a friend get an appointment to the Naval Academy when we were in high school (30 years ago!) and all I remember was it was through a competitive process with the office of a Senator of our state.

How does it work in DC itself, for DC residents? What's the best pathway? How competitive in terms of grades and scores? Are there steps we should be taking now to better position child, if this is what they decide to persue?

[Anonymous]

Google will give you will get a very accurate answer.

[Anonymous]

Naval is by far the toughest nom in DC. Mostly due to proximity.

[Anonymous]

you'll get much better answers on The Service Academies Forum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you'll get much better answers on The Service Academies Forum

Yep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google will give you will get a very accurate answer.

This

[Anonymous]

Your son has not even started high school and he's thinking about the military and that commitment?
I would offer, having been through the process and my son receiving a nomination to USNA, to wait until his or her junior year before really diving into the thought process. Towards the end of their junior year (early spring), if they still have a strong interest, have them apply to go one of the summer programs at one of the academies of the branch they have the most interest. For USNA it's called Summer Seminar. This will give them a taste and they will learn all they need to know about the application and nomination process.

In the meantime, keep the grades up, find EC's that show leadership and by all means have them get involved in a least one sport (preferably team) that they can eventually become a leader in and make varsity.