# United States Naval Academy **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095 "2010-07-26T20:50:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![may\_be\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@may\_be\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/may_be_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095/1 "2010-07-26T20:50:34Z")
What are the set requirements to get in? I’ve visited the site, but cannot find any set requirements for entry. I’ve heard 1800 on the SAT and a reccomendation from a government official, but I’m not 100% positive on either of those. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095/2 "2010-07-26T21:20:03Z")
Normally you get recommended by your US senator or US house member to get in. I think they each get a certain number of slots they can use per year. I don’t know if other politicians can put your name up as well. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095/3 "2010-07-26T21:34:11Z")
> **[United States Naval Academy | Appointment process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Naval_Academy#Appointment_process)** > > By an Act of Congress passed in 1903, two midshipman appointments were allowed for each senator, representative, and delegate in Congress, two for the District of Columbia, and five each year at large. Currently each member of Congress and the vice president can have five appointees attending the Naval Academy at any time. When any appointee graduates or otherwise leaves the academy, a vacancy is created. Candidates are nominated by their senator, representative, or delegate in Congress, and thos... Here’s a partial answer to your question, I think. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095/4 "2010-07-26T21:54:52Z")
For the many steps you need to follow to be admitted, see [http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps.htm](http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps.htm) No school I’m aware of has a hard cutoff SAT score. It’s just one of many things they look at. Average SAT scores for the naval academy appear to be well over 600 in each of the two traditional sections. [One site](http://www.ophs.opusd.k12.ca.us/average_sat_act_scores.htm) says 667 (Math) and 637 (Verbal) are average, but those scores are years out of date. I didn’t find any information on average scores for the new writing section. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095/5 "2010-07-27T06:15:56Z")
If memory serves (as an applicant to USNA and USMA a decade ago - I failed the Medical Exam Review Board [DODMERB] due to sporting injuries), the requirements included the following: -Congressman recommendation (House or Senate); each Member of Congress is allotted 5 recommendations -Strong academics and standardized test scores -Being able to pass the PT test (pullups, pushups, situps, overhead basketball throw and shuttle run). (Anecdote: make sure you lock your elbows on the down-side of pullups; I had had a multiple fracture in one of my elbows a year or so prior to testing that cost me some of my range of motion - during the test is an inconvenient time to explain that only one elbow straightens :smack: ) There are a bunch of other, more detailed requirements, as well. Naturally, drug history, et cetera - anything that would compromise your ability to be given a national security clearance, since all officers (in all branches) are required to maintain at least a Secret clearance. Hope that helps (and is still accurate. Like a said, it’s been more than a decade). ---
**Author:** ![Yesterdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@Yesterdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yesterdog)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-naval-academy/548095/6 "2010-07-27T16:47:31Z")
I can tell you from first hand experience that a 520 verbal is ok. This score was from 2000, so not sure what it equates to in 2010. PM me for more info. (Damn, 10 yrs already?)