Applying to US Naval Academy, where do I start?

So I'm seriously considering applying to the US Naval Academy. What’s the first step I should take as a high school junior? I've heard the nomination process is crucial; any advice on tackling it?

Applying to the U.S. Naval Academy or any other service academy is indeed a unique process compared to traditional universities. Here are some steps you can follow as a high school junior:

1. Research: Understand what the Naval Academy is all about, its values, curriculum, obligations after graduation, and lifestyle. It's a highly rigorous environment academically, physically, and morally, so it's important to ensure it aligns with your personal and career goals.

2. Academic Preparation: Just like any university, the Naval Academy values high academic achievement. Keep your grades up, preferably in challenging courses including APs. Depending on your desired major, you may want to focus on excelling in relevant subjects. For example, if you want to major in Aerospace Engineering, it's important to do well in your math and science classes.

3. Physical Fitness: Strong physical fitness is valuable at a military academy. Participating in a varsity sport can be beneficial to demonstrate your athletic abilities. The Naval Academy also requires the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), so it would be wise to start practicing those elements.

4. Leadership: Show evidence of leadership, such as participating in significant extracurricular activities where you've taken on a substantial role. Clubs, sports, volunteer work, or military-based programs like JROTC can help demonstrate leadership abilities.

5. The Nomination Process: Yes, you're correct that getting a nomination is a crucial part of the application process. You can seek a nomination from various sources including your U.S. representative, U.S. senators, and the Vice President of the U.S. Start identifying your potential nominators and understand their application process and deadlines. Contact their offices early to express your interest and ask about their protocols. In some cases, you may need to prepare for interviews or gather letters of recommendation.

6. Preliminary Application: To start your official application to the Naval Academy, go to their website and complete the Preliminary Application to establish your candidate record.

7. Official Application: If you're deemed competitive based on your preliminary application, you'll receive notification that you may proceed with the official Candidate Application. This includes multiple steps and components, from teacher recommendations to medical examinations.

Begin early, be persistent, seek guidance when needed, and best of luck with your application process!