Each year I am afforded the unique opportunity of reviewing the accomplishments of Pennsylvania's most outstanding young citizens. Nominating students to the United States Service Academies is one of the most rewarding aspects of being Pennsylvania's senior United States Senator, and I take my role in this process very seriously.
To compete for a nomination you will need to complete the following steps by October 3, 2008:
Step 1: Complete the online nomination application:
Step 2: Submit the following supporting materials (Please try to submit all supporting material in one packet):
A. Signed Statement of Intent: Click here to download
B. Two (2) letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a teacher, principal, or guidance counselor. The second letter can be from an individual of your choice.
C. Official high school transcript
D. SAT or ACT scores. (Scores can be submitted on your official high school transcript or you can have the College Board or ACT send the scores directly to the Senator's office. Please use the following codes to have scores sent directly: SAT - 2826 or ACT – 7175).
E. Photo
These materials should be submitted by mail to United States Senator Arlen Specter, Attn: Academy Selection Committee, PO Box 1092, Harrisburg, PA 17108. If you plan to send the material UPS, Fed Ex, DHL, etc., please address the package to US Senator Arlen Specter, Attn: Academy Selection Committee, 228 Walnut Street Room 1104, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Step 3: You will be able to check the status of your application online to determine if your file is complete.
Interviews will be held in mid-November. An effort will be made to interview all students who have successfully completed the application process. However, any applicant that receives a total SAT score below 1600 or ACT score below 23 may not be interviewed. You will be notified by e-mail of the time and place of your interview. If you do not receive an e-mail interview notification by October 31, 2008, please contact my office at (717) 782-3951.
Only those students seeking a nomination to the Air Force, Military, or Naval Academies will be interviewed by my Academy Selection Committee. Merchant Marine Academy applicants are chosen through a merit selection competition, and are not interviewed.
The Senatorial nomination process is very competitive and there are many more deserving students than there are nominations. Non-selection as my nominee does not necessarily mean you do not meet academy standards, but reflects the high caliber of candidates who have applied for my limited number of nominations. I commend you on your desire to serve this nation as an officer in the United States Armed Services, and wish you every success in your pursuit of an appointment to a United States Service Academy. If you have any questions regarding the application packet or the selection process, please call my Harrisburg office at (717) 782-3951.
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