Congressional Nominations

1. Congressional Nominations Office of congressman Ross SPANO Florida’s 15th district

2. Congressional Nominations WHAT IS A CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATION? HOW DO YOU OBTAIN A NOMINATION ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED APPLICATION WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? WHICH ACADEMIES REQUIRE NOMINATIONS? DEADLINES LETTERS OF ASSURANCE OFFERS OF APPOINTMENT PREP SCHOOL

3. Application-Two Track Process • Apply to Academy(s) • Your Responsibility • Contact Local LO • Academy website • Complete Application • Begin Admissions Contact • Fulfill Requests • Apply for Nomination • Discussed Here

4. What is a Congressional Nomination? • Letter of Recommendation • Who can grant them? • Congressmen • Senators • Vice President • Not an Offer of Appointment • Academies Make Final Decision

5. How do you obtain a Nomination? • Written Letter of Intent • Apply on our Website • http://Spano.house.gov • Interview with Selection Committee in November • Recommendations to Congressman Spano • Submit to Academy

6. Basic Eligibility Requirements • US Citizens • Residents of Florida and Congressional District • Between ages 17 – 22 years of age • Merchant Marines – 17-25 years of age • Unmarried • No legal obligation to support a child or other individual • Not pregnant • Good moral character

7. Eligibility Requirements Cont’d • High School Juniors • Spring/Summer • High School Seniors • NOW!! • Student at Academy Prep Schools – still need a Nomination • Coast Guard • No Nomination Needed • Apply directly with the Academy

8. Process Steps Academy(s) Application Qualifying Medical Exam Candidate Fitness Assessment ACT Plus Writing and/or SAT with Essay Nominated by Congressman, Senator or other source Receive Appointment

9. Application Requirements • It is the responsibility of the CANDIDATE to follow through with all requirements. • Deadline – October 5, 2019 • Completed Application • Recent Photograph • 350-600 word essay “Why I Desire to Attend the Academy” • 2 Letters of Recommendation • Employers, coaches, teachers, clergy, etc. • Written on Official Letterhead if possible • Not acceptable – Family, friends of family or peers • SAT and ACT Scores • Testing Code 0368 for SAT • Testing Code 7335 for ACT • High School Transcripts • Class Rank and GPA • Send ALL data to District Office (NOT Washington DC) 170 Fitzgerald Road, Suite 1 Lakeland, Florida 33813

10. Completed Your Application? Appointment for Personal Interview with Selection Committee finalists Interviews will be in November of 2019 for finalists Committee may recommend 10 nominees to Congressman Spano for each appointment available at respective Academies Congressman Spano will review and will make final recommendations Nominations are submitted by his office to Academies Final Selection for Appointment made by Academies

11. Available Appointments • AKA “Vacancies” • 5 Charged Cadets at each Academy at one time • We are permitted to Nominate 10 candidates per Vacancy • Meaning, it’s very likely you are competing for ONE opening at your chosen Academy • Apply for as many Nominations as you can • Example: Your Congressman, 2 Senators, Vice President

12. What are we looking for in you? High Scores on SAT/ACT and GPA Athletic Prowess Extracurricular Activities Language Skills Community & Service Oriented Demonstrated Leader Competitive High Moral Character Self Confident Uncommon Life Experiences Physical Courage

13. What Schools Require Nominations? • Department of Defense • US Air Force Academy • US Military Academy at West Point • US Naval Academy • Department of Transportation • US Merchant Marine Academy • Homeland Defense • *US Coast Guard does NOT require a Nomination

14. Deadlines • Congressional Nomination – Oct 5, 2019 • We submit Nomination Recommendations by Jan. 31 • Admissions Example: US Air Force Academy • Completed Application – End of January • Complete Admissions Requirements – End of May

15. Letters of Assurance (LOA) Letters of Assurance – Sent to candidates August through January This does NOT mean an Offer of Appointment You must still be selected and given a Congressional or Senatorial Nomination

16. Appointments • Clear Offer of Appointment – October to June • Candidate’s file complete • Approved by Academy Board • Have received Nomination • Conditional Offer of Appointment – October to June • Medical/CFA may be missing • Approved by Academy Board • Have received Nomination

17. Prep School Application Process Same application process – Must apply with Academy All candidates are considered for direct appointment If not selected, then considered for prep school This is similar to a 5th year of high school Candidates are able to improve grades, participate and excel in athletics, demonstrate leadership roles, etc. under the Academy’s watchful eye After completion of Prep School year, students must still obtain a Nomination before Appointed to Academy

18. QUESTIONS??? James Jacobs 863-644-8215 James.Jacobs@mail.house.gov

19. NAVAL ACADEMY CLASS 2022 • Nominating Categories (6652) • Presidential 790 • Congressional 5222 • Navy Secretary 377 • ROTC/JROTC 186 • Other 77 • Offers 1373 • Class Size 1209 • Prep School Grads 206

20. NAVAL ACADEMY CLASS 2022 • Standarized Tests (Middle 50% tile) • SAT Verbal (620-760) • SAT Math (620-760) • ACT English (26-32) • ACT Math (27-32) • Attributes • Varsity Athletics 93% • Community Service 91% • National Honor Society 66% • Student Body Leader 65% • Work Experience (>10 hrs/wk) 32% • ROTC/JROTC, Sea Cadet, CAP 16% • Boy/Girl Scouts 17%