jumprope: As far as what paperwork you will receive following the appt........You get a packet maybe in early May with all kinds of stuff. Ranges from banking information, more medical information, vaccinations to get or provide proof of, lists of what to bring, etc. Also, I remember we had to fill out insurance paperwork: this is the military. You must name beneficiaries in the event of your death, primary and secondary beneficiaries. I must say that when we went through that part of the paperwork, that is when it hit me that we were not sending our son off to a "regular" college.
My husband and son sat at the kitchen table for several hours filling out, highlighting, figuring out which items needed further attention or required outside input (like getting vaccine record, getting more vaccinations, getting eyeglass/contact lens prescription copies, etc) and which had to be returned to USNA in advance of I-Day.
Seems like some also got passports if they did not have them as well. That is one thing you could do once you receive your appointment. The first opportunity you may need one is likely the summer between plebe and youngster year possibly. Although you can get them anytime, it is difficult for plebes to get away from the yard. I guess I may be out of date. You may be able to do most or even all of that process on line. But, they are good for ten years, so why not get that done BEFORE you go!
All of this is mailed out once the class is complete. If you receive your appointment in Dec, you will get this packet in May or whenever everyone else does. The important thing is NOT to lay it aside until, say, the week before I-Day, because some of the paperwork (like the vaccinations) may require a few days to get done.
However, you will NOT need to shop for comforters, pillows, lamps to make your dorm room more "homey!" No need to get junior's car serviced. In fact, we took him off our insurance after meeting with our agent who understands that he will drive when he is home a couple weeks at Christmas. You DON'T need a book bag, suitcase, mini coffee pot, pens, pencils, paper, ANYTHING!