Waka,
Understand that for most of the people on this board appointment to the USNA has been, or was, a life long goal. They have worked really really hard toward an apoointment, some are following in family traditions into carrers in the Navy. The stakes are very high for these folks and the odds are long, (no matter how great they are[or their kid is]). Your post appears to take all this lightly. Not saying you are, I'm saying it looks that way.
In direct response to your question; not being from a Navy family, and uncertain about a 5yr service commitment my USNA CL2020 DD didn't submit her application until two days before the dead line. According to the Admiral (Ret) that headed up our state's Navy Nomination Board she was their #1 nomination. Now, when she went into her interview she had already been to the USNA on an "Official" recuriting visit. Maybe that made a difference in how they viewed her interest level.
Good luck to you.
BTW: Amoung the many lessons my wife has taught me over the last 30 years is never to tell a diligent, highly engaged and deeply invested person that they are being "Anal"................ May you benefit from my sufferings.