Service Academy Application Process
Gaining acceptance into a service academy is daunting. Our team of experts in the admissions process will be your copilot throughout this layered and nuanced journey. At Beyond The HUD, our approach is to find a power setting that empowers our candidates to own the process while providing just the right amount of flight following and dispatch guidance in order to arrive at your destination. We won’t fly your jet for you but we certainly won’t let you run out of fuel before landing.
We ask all interested candidates schedule a short, complimentary phone interview to determine if our goals are aligned. Because Beyond The HUD is focused on client satisfaction, we limit our client manifest to ensure our value is consistent and focused on you. Click HERE to schedule a phone call.
Preflight procedures
The service academy application process stands out from your normal college application experience. While there are certainly similarities and overlap, the requirements of a service academy application package are unique in many ways. Beyond The HUD ensures you fully understand this complex process as well as the often confusing timelines and pre-requisites layered into the application process.
Similar
Composite scoring of class rank, GPA, rigor of course load, strength of high school, transcript
Essay
Extracurriculars and Leadership
Letters of Rec
Resume
Unique
ACT/SAT
Candidate Fitness Assessment
Medical evaluations and examinations (DoDMERB)
Nomination from Vice President, US Senator or House Representative (most common)
Personal Interview
Teacher Evaluations (core subjects)
While there are similarities between the college and academy admissions processes, the approach and strategy employed with service academies requires a deliberate and intentional mindset.
Beyond The HUD will provide you the framework and structure to align with the service academies core values and selection criteria. Often times, we can recage and pivot from your current compliment of products but often it does require a complete rework to make your application stand out.
The requirements and process for a service academy application can certainly be found by heading to the Admissions page for the respective academy. The reality is many candidates fail to complete the process. Missed deadlines, waiting too long to apply and not being intentional during the early high school years are among a list of sad stories we hear at Beyond The HUD.
Our service will step you through this process and create deadlines and deliverables to stay ahead of your peers. The acceptance rates are historically low and missteps along the way can be disastrous to your chances.
Filing your flight plan
Once you understand the process for the service academy application, it’s time to start plotting our route of flight. Beyond The HUD pays close attention to your vector in order to keep you on course without deviating too far from the optimal path. There’s a mountain of paperwork to fly over and we make sure you set power to MAX to get the process started quickly and efficiently.
Flight plan phase overview
ACT/SAT strategy
Composite score strategy
Establish due dates
Essay prep
Fitness plan
Interview prep
Letters of rec strategy
Nomination strategy
In this phase, our staff will go over best practices, examples of success as well as common pitfalls to avoid with each flight level of the service academy process.
You will be expected to establish good executive functioning skills and time management to accomplish everything and stay on time and on target.
Beyond The HUD will provide candidates with a set of objectives and tasks to complete between each check-in and call. The earlier you register and start in this process, the better. We recommend consulting with our staff as early as freshman year of high school or middle school if this is your ultimate goal
Flying your flight plan
This is where the rubber meets the road. In this phase we will vector you in to final. All the final touches and remaining requirements will be completed. Practice interviews will give way to the real event. Fitness tests, letters of rec and teacher evaluations will be in your 6.
Fly, Fight, Win!
Composite score vectoring
DODMERB completion
Letters of Rec
Obtain nominations
Pass CFA (Fitness Test)
Practice personal interview
Submit application
Teacher Evaluation
Write essay
The previous phases were all just a lead-up to the actual flight. In this phase we will fight like we train.
Your situational awareness will be the best it can be after months of preparation.
Candidates who have put in the time and effort to secure the nominations, craft a compelling essay and practiced the art of the personal interview will shine.
All the admin pieces and forms will be in the flight bin.
Assessments, exams and tests are all wrapping up during this time. All that is left to do is wait for the appointment notification.
