Just a little advice about doing your application early. Yes, it is true that the board won't even look at your application until the first part of September. Here's 2 issues.
1) Have any of you made an update to your application and noticed that it took a week or two to show updated online? We live in the "Real World". Nothing is perfect. I'm not saying that if your application is completed on 30 August that it won't be looked at the first of September; but I wouldn't count on it. It's quite possible that it will take the admin section some time (With all the apps being done); to verify that your app is 100% complete and ready to go to the board. Just because you say/know that it's done, doesn't mean the academy does. They have to verify that it's complete and ready. They aren't going to send an incomplete app to the board. And if it takes a week or two, that's a week or two that it might not be in the pile that the board is looking at. So basically, I would want my ONLINE status to show the application as "COMPLETE" prior to 1 September. Send it in accordingly.
2. When it comes to presidentials, the academy doesn't collect ALL the presidential nomination applications, and then compare them to each other and select 100. They are selected BY the Academy; AS received; and the slots are given out as THEY deem worthy. I say this because I know of an individual about 3 years ago who believed that because he was authorized to get a presidential, that it was an automatic. And as such, he didn't apply for any others. And he thought he was a no brainer and pretty much guaranteed the presidential because he had everything. And I have to admit, it did have everything. He had the 4.0gpa unweighted with ALL advanced IB/AP classes. Star varsity letter basketball player. NHS, Class officer, clubs, volunteer, 35 ACT, medical, etc... Well, because he thought everything for him was a "Given" and "No Brainer" and "Automatic"; he didn't send all his paperwork in as fast as suggested. He didn't put in the presidential paperwork until around September-October. He didn't get his application done 100% until November. Long Story short!!! While he received a presidential; he DID NOT receive one of the coveted 100 noms that lead to an appointment. He then was scurrying to contact reps/senators and fill their requirements. They had already started their interviews and such. He did not get the primary nomination from the representative. He was past the point where the academy did NOT offer him an LOA. So, he didn't get him nom and he didn't get his appointment. And then, because of procrastination, he went past the January cutoff for ROTC scholarships. well, he's at George Washington University, but he did originally aspire to be at the academy.
Anyway; be very careful in your timing. No, you don't have to have your application 100% by mid July like some people have done. And yes, the board doesn't do anything with your app until September. But you really want your online application, DODMRB, and CFA 100% complete and showing online as COMPLETE prior to the first of September. And you want that presidential, vp, and any other nominations you qualify for, to be submitted as early as humanly possible. Best of luck. Later... Mike....