Boy, as I read this thread only days before dropping my son off at West Point to begin his plebe year with the class of 2020, and have such mixed emotions of both pride and sadness steming from knowing how much I will miss my best friend, I can't believe how fast this process goes.
My son only decided to apply to the academies at the end of his Junior years in HS, and we had no idea what it took to earn an appointment. He applied to USMA, USAFA and USNA , and was admitted to both USMA and USAFA, then eliminated USNA after accepting at USMA (he was wait listed at USNA, but he wanted USMA anyway). The process goes and goes, but before you know it you are at the point of dropping your child off at a military academy.
From this parents perspective, which is shared by my wife, after we visited USNA and USMA several times, and spoke to many people from each academy, West Point left us with the best feeling by far, and my son felt the same way. They want great kids there, and they want them to do well. The admissions people are top notch, and it is hard to go there and leave without a tremendous sensation.
My son went through all of the obstacles, and we were there with him during much of the process, ACT /SAT, CFA, MOC applications, essays, interviews, teacher evaluations and recommendations, and everything else. There is a method to successfully navigating all of this, and your children and you will figure it out. Lots of frustration, but also little victories along the way. If anyone has questions, I m delighted to help if I can. Frankly, I kneed a distraction, as I am trying hard not to think about missing my son. Tough moment.
Good luck to all.