“… To gain a spot at one of the five U.S. military academies, students must go through a rigorous admission process that requires them to jump through a few more hoops than one would for a traditional college. For one, the process begins a full year before the standard college application process. Starting their junior year, the candidates must fill out questionnaires. Except for students applying for the United States Coast Guard, all other students must apply for nominations, which will come from members of Congress, the Vice President and other military personnel. Typically, each member of Congress can only issue a certain number of recommendations, and the candidates are often chosen through a democratic process by a select panel.” …