Prior E Application Tips
The selection is based on your total package. You need to look good on paper, but your commander probably wouldn't have signed your nomination form if you didn't. Your ALO interview and your writing sample are the things you have control over. You have control over your CFA too, but beyond engaging your core during the basketball throw I've got nothing for you.
Prepare for the ALO interview by thinking about how you've showed leadership in your job, and try to focus on your air force experiences not high school if you can. The ALO I interviewed with was relieved to talk with me because I had deployed and we both worked with the same air frame. He was a pilot and I was a support troop. The ALO will likely be a reserve officer near retirement who has worked with the aircraft on your base. Don't be too informal, but relax and talk about why you enjoy the air force and talk about your experiences.
The writing sample should be another component where your experience will pay off. Just because you've been reading your CDCs your style of writing has probably changed to something styled like traditional air force documents. Use your supervisors as proof readers with the intent to make it sound like you know how the air force writes professionally.
If I remember correctly there's a place on your form that asks what awards you've won. Use all the awards from basic and tech school too.