What are the eligibility requirements for applying to the Naval Academy?

I'm trying to understand all the eligibility criteria for the Naval Academy. Besides academic qualifications, what other factors are considered? Are there any physical or leadership requirements?

The US Naval Academy has a list of requirements that you need to meet in order to be eligible for consideration. These include elements such as age, citizenship, marital status, as well as academic, physical, and leadership qualifications.

First, you must be a U.S. citizen. Also, you must be at least 17 years old and must not have passed your 23rd birthday on 1st July of the year you would enter the academy.

Secondly, applicants must be unmarried. They should not be pregnant or have a legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

Onto academics, while there are no explicit GPA or test score requirements, the Naval Academy does look for candidates who have a strong academic background, particularly in math and science. Both your high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores will be looked at closely.

Additionally, leadership is a key aspect considered by the academy. This can be shown through things like participating and leading in extracurricular activities, serving in student government, or being a team captain in sports. Essentially, you'll need to illustrate a proven track record of taking on responsibility and motivating others.

Physical prowess is another requirement due to the physically rigorous nature of service. Applicants must pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) which includes exercises like basketball throw, pull-ups or flexed-arm hang, shuttle run, crunches, push-ups, and a one-mile run.

Finally, all applicants must also receive a nomination, usually from a Congressman or Senator. Intent to serve is also a significant attribute - you must be willing to serve as a commissioned officer in the Navy or Marine Corps.

So while the Naval Academy does look at your academic qualifications, they're also looking for leadership potential, physical fitness, and clear and demonstrated interest in serving. It's quite a holistic process.