All of my son's teacher's recommendations were done "On-Line". None of them got sent in physically. The academy emailed them; and the teachers submitted the recommendations. I know you can do hard copies, but we didn't do it that way.
Also; he had already spoken with the teachers and school admin in April and May. He had everything lined up so when the application became available on-line, he could proceed. He did Summer Seminar on something like the 14th of June. When he got back, the application opened up on-line about a week later. So it was the last week of june. But this was 3 years ago, so I don't remember the exact date. And he did have his application totally complete by July 19th. But you have to be very proactive. With your teachers; with your ALO; getting your DODMRB medical done; doing the CFA; etc...
The day the on-line application was opened, he looked it over and broke it up into 3 categories. 1) Online stuff: application info, essay, etc... 2) Teacher/school stuff: Transcripts, recommendations, school profile, etc.... 3) ALO/Military stuff: CFA, Interview, DODMRB, etc... He completed 1) the first weekend. Essays and all. He also did the paperwork for his presidential nomination.
That first monday, he went to the school and had them put transcripts, class rank, school profile, etc... all in an envelope. HE MAILED IT OFF. He sealed it in front of the school admin, and dropped it in the U.S. Post office mailbox at the school.
He received the DODMRB card in the mail about a week or two later showing scheduling. He scheduled his physical and eye exam. Took it a week later and had all that sent to DODMRB who in turn updated the records. At the same time, his ALO scheduled him for the CFA. That was done the same week as the physical. And after the CFA, while he was still in sweats, he put on a pair of jeans and a clean t-shirt, and the ALO interviewed him in her office.
At this point, it was hurry up and wait. A week later, the DODMRB showed up as qualified; presidential nomination showed nominated; CFA showed complete; then about the last week of July, his application changed status to "Complete". He then had all of August to enjoy the rest of summer; do 2-a-day football practices; and finish all his other College Early admissions.
When the first day of school started, he looked at me and smiled, and said thanks for pushing him every day. He was done. He could enjoy his senior year. No colleges left to apply to. Nothing left for the academy. Football was in full swing. He could concentrate on school, girlfriend, and football. It was a pretty sweet fall.
I only bring this up to show that if YOU are pro-active and take YOUR future into your hands, you can get the application done early. You don't have to wait until school gets back into session. Even if you had to wait for the teacher's recommendations, you can still get the transcripts, school profile, etc... All schools have days they are open during the summer. And you can be practicing NOW for your CFA. There is no reason in the world to have to wait until the fall to get your CFA done. Your ALO can do it. It doesn't have to be your gym teacher. TAKE CONTROL OVER YOUR FUTURE!!!! Best of luck. Mike.....