My DS found the attached timeline table to be quite helpful throughout the West Point admissions process. Although DS started the process fairly early, I think you still have time to submit a strong application and get admitted into one of the academies.
If your portal has already opened and you are able to see all the prompts concentrate on completing each one as soon as possible. Your immediate objective should be to have each item (that is within your control), such as requesting transcripts, CARs, essays, etc., marked with a green checkmark.
Work diligently on your essays (write them in word format), proofread them, and edit them to ensure that admissions have a clear picture of who you are, and the great leader you have the potential to be.
Work hard every day on preparing for the CFA, and work very carefully on your FORM for push-ups and pulls ups, the more you can do with a proper form, the better your file will look.
To be competitive, your SAT or ACT scores are crucial. Take the test again if you believe you can improve your current results.
Discuss your plans with your teachers, as well as the teacher's evaluation; ensure that the teachers you choose for this know you well enough to write a good evaluation.
Send an email as soon as possible to your field force representative to schedule your interview; if you do not receive a response within a week, send a follow-up email. Prepare for your interview by having a parent or sibling ask you questions about your life, goals, and activities. You will be less tense and more at ease talking about yourself on the day of the interview. Dress professionally for your interview, look the person in the eyes, be confident, and confidently shake their hand. Sometimes our memory of someone is limited to their first impression.
Have a backup plan (B, C, D, E...). My DS applied to the three major service academies and was accepted by two of them; fortunately, West Point was his top preference. He also applied for an ROTC scholarship. And he submitted applications to numerous traditional colleges as well. If you don't have any other options, the waiting game will be agonizing.
Submit a complete nomination package to your MOC as soon as possible; all of the information is available on their websites; if not, call them and request a list of all the items that must be included in your package. Apply for the VP nomination online as well. You won't get an appointment without a nomination.
All the best to you; you can do this!
To paraphrase a line written by a very nice gentleman to my son after one of his interviews during the process "Keep it up...remember, this is a COMPETITION! And you're competing against the BEST high schoolers in the WORLD. Out work them! Out prep them!"
GOD BLESS!
