Academy Dreams
Aerial view of the Naval Academy grounds and the Severn River in Annapolis

USNA · High school roadmap

Senior year: U.S. Naval Academy12th grade · Finish strong

Your 12th grade checklist for USNA, built from the official pages we track.

The Naval Academy and the Severn River from the air, October 2012. Photo: U.S. Navy (National Museum of the U.S. Navy) via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (U.S. government work).

Why this year matters

Seniors in fall 2026 are applying for the Class of 2031. The month-by-month deadlines are below. The essentials:

Dates come from official pages (accessed Oct. 17, 2026). Your congressional offices and your USAFA portal may set earlier personal deadlines, and those win.

Checklist for senior year

Start here

  • Medical exam (DoDMERB, using the DMACS portal). The process:
    • Each academy sends your name to DoDMERB.
    • DoDMERB emails you a link to the DMACS 2.0 Applicant Portal, where you register and fill in your medical history.
    • A contractor (CIV Team) emails you to schedule exams through DoDMETS. The medical and eye exams may be at different places.
    • If DoDMERB needs more information, your status becomes "Remedial."
    • Waivers are decided by the academy, not DoDMERB1.
    • CIV Team tries to reach you up to 4 times. If you don't schedule in that window, you start over1.
    • When your name goes to DoDMERB depends on the academy:
      • USAFA: after you finish 3 of 5 checklist items2.
      • USCGA: after it has your counselor recommendation with transcript, test scores, and fitness test score3.
      • USMMA: after your application, 11th-grade transcript, and unofficial scores4.
      • West Point: once you're an official candidate5.
  • Interviews. USNA requires a Blue and Gold Officer interview6. USAFA requires an ALO interview, which is virtual, lasts 1.5–2 hours, and must be held with no parents within earshot7. USCGA interviews only if requested, but then it's required8.

Key deadlines

Already happened (catch up now if you missed any)

  • Applications opened: West Point Feb. 15, 20269; USAFA PCQ Mar. 1, 20262; USNA April 202610; USMMA May 1, 20264; USCGA July 158.

October 2026

  • Take or retake the CFA (USNA, West Point, USAFA, USMMA) or the USCGA fitness test911.
  • Respond to DoDMERB and DoDMETS scheduling emails right away1.
  • Contact your BGO (USNA) or ALO (USAFA) to schedule your interview67.

November 2026

  • Some congressional offices have later deadlines. For example, one House office lists Nov. 1312. Never assume yours is late. Check it.
  • Keep working your checklists and medical remedials.

December 2026

  • Dec. 31: USNA accepts no new applications after this date6. USAFA's Pre-Candidate Questionnaire deadline2.

January 2027

  • Early to mid-January: many nomination notifications go out6.
  • Jan. 31 (big day):
    • USNA application must be complete6.
    • Vice Presidential nomination application closes for USNA, West Point, and USAFA13.

February 2027

  • Vice Presidential nominees are "normally" notified in February or March13.

March 2027

  • Keep checking your portals and finish any remaining medical remedials.

April 2027

  • By Apr. 15: most USNA candidates know their status6.

May 2027

  • May 1: reply deadline at USNA6, USAFA2, USCGA8, and USMMA14. It is also USCGA's medical qualification/waiver deadline8. West Point's reply date: not published on the pages we reviewed.

June 2027: reporting

  • USNA, West Point, and USMMA 2027 reporting dates: not published on the pages we reviewed.

Dates change. Always confirm on the official USNA admissions site and your congressional offices’ pages.

USNA-specific notes

Eligibility basics6

  • Age: 17 to not past 23rd birthday on July 1 of the entry year
  • Other basics: U.S. citizen by July 1; unmarried; not pregnant; no dependents

Sources

  1. DHA: DoDMERB (dha.mil)
  2. USAFA Grades 11–12 (usafa.edu)
  3. USCGA Handbook 2025–26 (uscga.edu)
  4. USMMA 8 Steps (usmma.edu)
  5. West Point Medical (westpoint.edu)
  6. USNA Apply (usna.edu)
  7. USAFA Requirements (usafa.edu)
  8. USCGA Apply (uscga.edu)
  9. Timeline (westpoint.edu)
  10. USNA PAO (usna.edu)
  11. USCGA PFT Guide (uscga.edu)
  12. Rep. Newhouse PDF (newhouse.house.gov)
  13. White House (whitehouse.gov)
  14. USMMA Admissions (usmma.edu)

Keep every USNA date on your calendar.

Coming soon: reminder emails before applications open, nomination deadlines close and summer program windows shut.

Reminders coming soonAll deadlines