Well, the first thing is obviously your online application. The normal process is Prospect, Applicant, Candidate, (Application Complete), (Appointment Offered), (Appointment Accepted). There is also something in there for LOA, but I can't remember off hand. I'm half asleep. Anyway, if your application never makes it to COMPLETE, then it's not even being looked at by the board. There are some who have asked towards the end of the year why their application still said APPLICANT. Basically, it's because the academy didn't see them as competitive. However, they received a nomination, and the online application changed to CANDIDATE (Means you are competitive, OR you received a nomination). It then moved to complete. At which time it went to the board.'
I bring this up because if you know someone who has finished their application, CFA, Interviews, etc... and are 100% complete and submitted; YET the online never changes to Candidate/COMPLETE; or it doesn't happen until AFTER they had their nomination interview; that's a good sign that the academy doesn't think too much of the application. It's not a given, but possible/likely. Rarely is that the case for those on this forums. Forum folk are generally a different BREED of applicant. They are more dedicated, better grades, very involved, etc.... But it is difficult to sit with someone who asks how their application looks, when you look with them online in January, and it says: "Applicant". How do you tell them to expect a VTL? (Very Thin Letter)?
Anyway; if you are competitive, are listed as complete/candidate, and have a nomination; you won't usually get a rejection letter until March-April. Mainly because they don't know who all the YES' are until the all accept. The list is always changing. That is why it is IMPERATIVE that each and every one of you are applying to other colleges/universities. If your grades, sat/act, EC, etc... are good enough to be competitive for a service academy, then it's good enough for some of the best schools in the country. And you should be applying to as many as possible. And hopefully the military academies aren't the only place you're applying. There is no reason whatsoever to ONLY apply to only the military academies. There are so many reasons that you can be turned down. Even up to the day that you were accepted, made it to BCT, got off the bus, slipped and twisted your knee, and was on another plane heading home within a day or two. Then what??? Apply to NO LESS than 5 colleges/universities. It doesn't cost that much. And you should be applying for every scholarship available. Best of luck. Mike...