Is there an age deadline for applicants to the United States Naval Academy?

I'm planning ahead for my application to the United States Naval Academy. Is there a specific age by which I need to apply, or can anyone give me insight on age limits for applicants?

The United States Naval Academy does have an age criteria for applicants. According to the policies, applicants must be at least 17 years old and not older than 23 years of age by July 1st of the year that they would enter the Academy. For example, if you plan to enter the Academy in July 2025, you must be within this age range on July 1, 2025.

There is an exception to this rule for veterans who have prior active duty military service. In this case, the amount of time served on active duty is subtracted from the candidate's age in order to determine eligibility. So, if a candidate served 2 years of active duty, for example, they could potentially be admitted to the Academy up until the age of 25.

Please ensure you meet all other requirements such as being a U.S. citizen, unmarried with no dependents, and medically qualified for naval service. Some capable candidates who don't meet the age criterion might consider attending a civilian college or university and then consider the Officer Candidate School (OCS) route to commissioning.

Remember, admission to the Academy is highly competitive, so while meeting the minimum age requirement is important, it's also crucial to demonstrate strong academics, leadership, physical fitness, and moral character.