Candidates (and parents) often confuse the difference between a nomination and an appointment to a Service Academy, especially if candidates are otherwise fully qualified.  A candidate must be academically, physically, and medically qualified with a nomination in order to be considered for an appointment.  The nomination must be to the specific Service Academy

Basically, a nomination is the legal authority for a Service Academy to consider a candidate for appointment.

In this episode, we will look at gaining a nomination through a Member of Congress