There are a lot of parts to receiving an appointment to the academies. Approximately half of the appointees the academy is limited to on their selection. E.g. For every slate of 10 names that a senator or representative submits to the academy, the academy MUST choose one person from that list of 10. They have no choice. "Assuming at least 1 of the 10 on the slate is qualified". In some scenarios, the senator/representative is allowed to "Prioritize" their list of 10 names. In which case, the academy has even LESS choice. They MUST choose the person that the senator/representative prioritized as their #1 candidate. "Again, assuming the individual is qualified".
The other half of the appointments, the academy pretty much gets to choose who receives the appointments. There's no magical list of attributes that will make you stand out. That's because neither you, I, nor anyone else can tell you about your competition. "The other 9 on that senator's/representative's slate of 10 names". This is why your ALO's interview is so important and the scores count for so much. This is the academy's only real direct contact with you. There can be a significant drop in total points on your application with your ALO interview scores being slightly difference between you and one of your competitors.
You want to stand out? As said, be an "ALL AROUND" achiever. Academics, Athletics, Leadership, Teamwork, Volunteering, Extra Curricular, etc... And don't think that "Participation" is all you need. You need to be an achiever. Being president of one club is better than being a member of 5 clubs. Being captain of the swim team, football team, basketball team, X-country team, etc... is better than just being a team member on 5 different sport teams. Being a starter/All State/All Conference player on one team is better than just being a secondary player on 5 team sports. But obviously, not everyone can be the captain or All-State caliber. In those cases, the being a member of 3 teams and starting is better than being on 5 teams and rarely playing. Again; no one here knows your competition.
Also, we are taught to be somewhat "humble". Our friends and classmates don't like someone who brags a lot about their accomplishments. When it comes to applying to the academy, the application, the interviews, etc... Throw that mentality out the window. This is the "JOB INTERVIEW" of your life. There's obviously a difference between bragging/being proud of your accomplishments and being arrogant or contemptuous. Know the difference and submit the best package you can.
The best way to stand out is with your personality. Be confident but know conceited. Be proud of your accomplishments without putting down others and being arrogant. Make sure your answers, positions, opinions, etc... are YOURS and not your family's, school's, church's, or something you THINK your senator/representative/ALO "Wants to hear".
You want to "STAND OUT"????? "BE REAL!!!!!" good luck. Mike....