US citizens are located around the globe and that can make applications complicated!
If your family is based overseas as part of the military or foreign services, like the Army or the US State Department, or if you simply live outside of the United States, you (as an American citizen abroad) may wonder how your situation abroad affects your opportunities to apply to one or more of the US service academies (SAs). This blog will discuss your approach and some of the challenges you may face if you live overseas.
From my experiences coaching candidates living abroad, students will typically address four main areas that are unique to their particular situation:
1) Nomination sources and qualifications for them
2) Academics
3) Medical and eye examination completion
4) Interview coordination
Let's review each area that I identified . . .
NOMINATIONS
Although you live abroad, you must still apply for a nomination. A candidate should apply for all nomination sources for which s/he qualifies. For military or foreign service dependents, you will apply to both your two Senators and the Congressman based on your hometown residency. Your residency can be determined by the location where your parents pay local taxes, where you would apply for a driver's license, or where you would register to vote. I recommend that you establish all of these details well before completing the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire for any of the SAs (which typically start in the middle of your junior year).
Most military dependents will qualify for the Presidential nomination, too. There are specific qualifications so you should explore those details. And, lastly, you should also seek the Vice Presidential nomination.
If you cannot claim residency within the United States (as a US citizen), then the only nomination for which you may apply is the Vice Presidential nomination. One avenue to explore is establishing residency through family, or others, that may reside in the United States.
ACADEMICS
As a student in a foreign country, you may attend one of the local schools. Its unique curriculum and grading system may need to be explained to Admissions at the SAs. When you submit the application form to which your high school transcript is attached, you should attach a letter of explanation about your school and the grading system. Note that Department of Defense Dependent School students do not need to make such an explanation as the Admissions Boards are familiar with the DODDS system. You will still need to take the SAT/ACT regardless of your school system.
MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) will notify you about the location and date of your medical exam. In general, the exam will take place at an area U.S. military base, attaché or embassy. Your DoDMERB case manager (which may be found on their website under "contacts") will be able to help arrange the exam in the foreign country, as the DoDMETS group that typically arranges exams only covers the students located in the 50 states of the US.
If none of these choices are readily available, DoDMERB may direct you to find a private physician to conduct your medical exam at your own expense. It may take up to three doctors (i.e., one general practitioner doctor, one eye doctor, and one ear doctor) but the process itself is straightforward -- DoDMERB requires a scanned copy of the forms, which you will submit directly to your case manager. One challenge you may face is finding English-speaking physicians, so be sure to confirm that they will be able to read and respond in writing on the medical forms.
One last point: If DoDMERB requires any medical records, then they must be translated into English if documented in a foreign language.
INTERVIEWS
As a candidate, you will have a number of interviews. You should assume all of them will be conducted by a video link or phone call. Typically, the SAs, like the Military Academy or AF Academy, will have Field Force Representatives and Admissions Liaison Officers located overseas so the time differences will not be difficult to manage.
However, for nominations, you should anticipate that the interviewers will be located in your 'home' state, which may require orchestrating around some significant time differences. I recommend anticipating this challenge and coordinate early in the process with the Congressional staffers who work for your Representative and your Senators. Clearly, this process is manageable, but it will take some proactive measures to ensure things run smoothly.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The good news is that most of the application forms are online and completed through the Academy portals. However, in the rare instance when something must be mailed, you should anticipate mail delays as overseas mail can take several weeks to process. Keep copies of all letters and forms sent to the SAs so that you can quickly re-submit any misplaced information or forms.
The process of applying for the US service academies is extensive. However, for students living overseas, it is even more complex depending on your particular situation. I recommend anticipating the challenges (i.e., nominations, academics, medical exams, and others) and preparing now to address them. All are manageable if you make plans to ensure a successful application process. Good luck!
[I would welcome a chance to discuss details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process . . . including helping you address the challenges of living abroad and applying to the SAs. Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com, 503.515.7406 or use my contact form on this website.]
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