Henry Cuellar for Congress | Proven Leadership for Texas

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR (TX-28)

AUGUST 25, 2010

The office of Congressman Henry Cuellar, TX-28, will host an informational session for high school seniors and juniors interested in attending one of the United States’ prestigious service academies, such as the Naval Academy, West Point or the Air Force Academy. The session will include information about all of the academies and the nomination process for Congressman Cuellar’s office.

Hear more on how you or your student can attend a service academy:

Date:   Monday, August 30, 2010
Time:   6 p.m. CST
Location:  Texas A&M International University
Room: SC236
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, TX 78041

Date:   Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Time:   6 p.m. CST
Location:  Rio Grande City High School
Room: Library
144 FM 3167
Rio Grande City, TX 78582

Date:   Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Time:   6 p.m. CST
Location:  South Texas College
Room: Cooper Center – Conference Rooms (North & South)
3201 W. Pecan
McAllen, TX 78501

Date:   Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Time:   6 p.m. CST
Location:  Floresville High School
Room: Library 
1813 Tiger Lane
Floresville, TX 78114

Basic Requirements For Service Academy Eligibility:

Must be at least 17, but not yet 23 years-of-age by July 1st of year of admission to the academy 
Must be a citizen of the United States 
Must be unmarried 
Cannot be pregnant or have legal obligation to support a child or other dependents 
Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy 

Nomination Process and Requirements

My selection process consists of several steps, including the completion of my nomination application packet and an interview before my Service Academy Advisory Board. In choosing nominees, I will consider:

Academics: Official transcript, grade point average, SAT and ACT scores, class rank, etc. 
Leadership experience and ability: Applicant must complete a three-page application form, indicating information on extra-curricular activities. Examples include work, church, school government, and youth or civic organizations. 
Motivation and writing skills: Acceptance to an Academy is a highly desired goal. To gauge each applicant's determination and goals, an essay of 300 words must be submitted on the topic of "Why I want to attend the (name) Academy." 
A minimum of three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from your high school Guidance Counselor or Principal, to be included in your application packet. 
An interview before my service academy selection board. Interviews take place in December. 
Residency: Candidates must be domiciled in Texas' 28th Congressional District. 
Optional: Candidates are encouraged to attach a list of honors, awards, activities, achievements, resume, photograph or any other information you feel is pertinent to your application. 

My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year. The application deadline will be November 6th.

Offers of Appointment
The admissions departments of the academies will make the final decision on which candidates will be offered admission. Offers of Appointment are announced on a rolling basis. The Academies will notify most candidates of their final status by April.

If you are not selected, you are welcome to reapply the following year. Many applicants succeed after an additional year of preparation.