So is there a benefit to completing service academy applications in July compared to September or October? I kind of want to hold off on doing some of the parts of my USNA application because it requires me to contact school officials, and I don't want to bug then 3 times(ie, I don't want to send an email to my English teacher asking for an LOR now for USNA and then have to email them again asking for an LOR for WP and the AFA when their applications opens up). But if there is a benefit to doing that, I'll do it.
Also, generally speaking, how competitive is it to be in the top 150 of the NWL?
I can't speak for USNA, but for USMA unless you are the exception you won't get access to your second step kit in July. When or if you are allowed to complete your USMA application, there are many things you can complete without your school official evaluations.. For example, the candidate statement, sending in your transcript, 6th semester transcript is the minimum requirement, officially sending your SAT/ACT score. So when the school starts, school official evaluation, your school official verifying you activities, and CFA.
I have seen candidates with 2100 + SAT, high class rank, good leadership not getting in - an indicator (not the indicator) of how competitive NWL could be.