My DD successfully navigated the re-application process last year
@jebdad hit the nail on the head as there is no one size fits all approach.
You need to understand where your application was not as strong and focus on improving those areas. That may take extra work in addition to your college course load. Many of the application portal transfers over to the next year bit you still we need updated transcripts and school profiles. Your MOC nomination packets actually will take longer to complete than the portal and it becomes more difficult to get letters of recommendations from individuals as you do not see them anymore. You will also need two additional evaluations from college level professors.
In terms of ROTC,
@Pima hits the nail on the head about the PT test. You need to show up and knock it out of the park the first day. In the military, your PT test scores are a reflection of your ability and doing well goes a long way. In my opinion, I would wait a little time before I mentioned that you want to re-apply. Give it a month or six weeks after you have demonstrated that you are part of your current unit but do agree that you should not wait till December.
You also need to take a challenging course load that is STEM based your first semester and
DO WELL. You do not need to exactly match a plebe schedule if it does not work for you but you also cannot fill it as an art or music major, nothing against those majors but the academy wants you to demonstrate you can handle college rigor similar to a plebe. You also do not need a 4.0 to get an appointment but you should be pushing the 3.5.
At West Point and I would assume the others, service connected nominations are basically unlimited but there are 100 appointments each year. ROTC accounts for 20 of those appointments. It is very simple as your PMI of the ROTC unit completes a nomination form and sends it to the academy. 20 is a low number so you should also apply for all nomination sources that you are eligible for.
