I'm not sure you quite grasp the magnitude of the application and then nomination process. It is a lot (many, many parts). You have the applications which require writing samples (essays), Then 2 or 3 letters of reference from specific people that differ from academy to academy, test scores, official class ranks, transcripts and G.P.A., a hard fitness test that has to be administered by an officer or a P.E. teacher ... If you make the first cut and become a "official candidate" you get to go have a physical and then...you must do the applications to try and get a nomination from your member of congress, your Senators and the Vice President. I remember after my son had done most of this he was doing an application to a plan B university. The whole application took him only 20 minutes. That amazed him. He kept saying "Is that it?" I am glad you are asking questions. Get well informed before you decide to go for this. And remember many many fantastic, smart, athletic kids with super high test scores don't get in. However, I think that even those who try and fail will be stronger for the effort.