Gaining admission to the Academy can be a strenuous process, as it requires you to undergo an extensive application process as well as receive an appointment.

Get Ready

Basic Requirements
In order to be eligible, you must be:
--at least 17 years of age and must not have passed your 23rd birthday on July 1st of the year of admission;
--unmarried, not pregnant and have no incurred obligations of parenthood;
--a United States citizen (except for the limited quotas of international cadets specifically authorized by Congress); and
--of good moral character.
Additional requirements:
You must:
--be found scholastically qualified by the Admissions Board;
--be medically qualified;
--pass the Merchant Marine Academy’s Physical Aptitude Examination (same for all the service academies); and
--receive an official nomination from one of many sources available

For specific application requirements visit the Academy Admissions page.