I believe you have to have a letter of recommendation from a Congressman? As I understand it, you have to apply with them, and they will issue the letter if they're satisfied you meet the requirements. Not sure if they have a limit of how many letters they can issue each year, though.
Nomination thru elected members of congress (Senate and House)
=> 10 from each state, 5 of whom are nominated by each Senator from that state;
=> 5 from each congressional district, nominated by the Representative from the district;
=> 5 from the District of Columbia, nominated by the Delegate from the District of Columbia;
=> 4 from the U.S. Virgin Islands, nominated by the Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands;
=> 5 from Puerto Rico, nominated by the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico;
=> 4 from Guam, nominated by the Delegate from Guam;
=> 3 from American Samoa, nominated by the Delegate from American Samoa;
=> 3 from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, nominated by the Delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Also nominations may be made by..,
The POTUS (no limit) ~ usually children of career military members, KIA, MIA, or have a 100% service-connected active duty disability
The Vice President (5).
Other admissions...
Sons of Medal of Honor recipients
Sons of previous graduates
Generals/Admirals may nominate enlisted personnel of the related services.
The superintendents of the academies : limited to number of of available slots
Of course: admission standards apply in every case
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SF