As a parent of a rising senior who just completed her applications for both the USNA and the NROTC scholarship, my advice to you is to start EARLY. During your junior year, you should be taking the required standardized tests, visiting colleges, and researching who your nominating sources are what your nominating sources require. Get a much done as you can before school starts.
Here is the timeline my DD followed her junior year to give you an idea:
September: Registered to take the ACT in Oct. Dec. Feb. and April
Signed up for a CVW. Dad had to request two days off of work to drive out.
October: Took ACT. Score not too bad, but room for improvement.
November: Visited USNA
December: Took ACT for the second time. (Score improved 10% in English and 30% in Science)
January: Researched colleges, wrote resume, started asking teachers for letters of references
Applied to NASS on the first day the portal opened.
February: Did not take the ACT due to illiness.
Went on college visits. (Brrrr!)
Got notified of acceptance to NASS
March: More college visits!
Reminded teachers for letters of references
April: Took the ACT again. Refused to ever take another test. Mom very happy with results.
More college visits!
Met with high school guidance counsellor to find out the process for requesting transcripts
May: Got notified by USNA of official candidate status
Requested transcripts from guidance office be sent out
Letters of references received and uploaded
June: Went to NASS
Completed application for NROTC
Completed application for USNA
July: Met with BGO, scheduled required physical exams, had interview with NROTC
Sent out completed packets to nominating sources
It's now the beginning of August and DD is completely done with the application process for both the USNA and NROTC. Her BGO complimented her on being the first candidate this cycle to get all of her paperwork in. The Common App portal just opened so DD is currently working on applying to the colleges she selected. Her goal is to be completely done with everything before the start of senior year in two weeks.
I hope this timeline is helpful to you. Keep in mind that with all of your activities and responsibilities, you should not wait until the last minute to get things done. My DD had to work around her sports practices, Sea Cadet drill schedule, work schedule, holiday orchestra concerts, and The FAMILY schedule for things such as college visits and it was very, very difficult to align everything. With over 5000 students in her high school, it took DD a few weeks to get an appointment with the guidance office, and DD's English teacher didn't write a letter of reference until the teacher had finished grading 300 final essays.
Yes, the process is long and complicated, and at first glance, it can be very overwhelming. Work with your parents and come up with a timeline. By breaking down the process into small manageable steps, you will complete the tasks, keep your sanity, enjoy Thanksgiving break, and enter your senior year confident!
Best of luck to you!