The following are my suggestions primarily from my son’s experiences over the past year and from other’s input. I am sure that there will be some (many) who disagree with some (most) of the following suggestions.
CFA
One thing that you can do your junior year is begin your CFA practice. I would suggest that you approach your high school PE teacher with a print out of the CFA instructions.
http://www.usna.edu/admissions/cfainstructions.htm. Explain to them that your goal is to become an officer in the military (be prepared to explain why). Ask them if they will help you. You can then run through a mock CFA --this will only be about 10-12 minutes. The days in between the mock CFA you can practice whatever you are not able to max. If your run time is too slow try to meet with the school’s track or xcountry coach for tips on your form. This way if you get into NASS/SLS you can check that off immediately and not need to worry about it next summer.
ACT/SAT
As you are aware the Service Academies super score. It is ONLY to your benefit to take the ACT/SAT as many times as possible. If you take the ACT for example, they offer it September, October, December, February, April, June. You should be signed up for all of them. Shoot for top quartile in each as your lowest acceptable personal goal. If you are not in the top quartile take it again (and again).
BOYS/GIRLS STATE
Find out when your Boys/Girls State is. Learn about the process to being chosen to represent your high school. In some states it is extremely competitive.
CONSIDER APPLYING TO S.A.M.E
The Society of American Military Engineers offers a very unique series of engineering summer camps designed for High School students who excel in math, science and technical courses and are interested in pursuing engineering in college. The camps are led by a professional staff of engineers from both private industry and the military services. The camp is only a couple hundred dollars and THEY pay your airfare!!!! (Cheaper than summer leadership programs!) There are four separate ones: Marines, Air force, Army and Navy. The Air Force program is only for someone who is applying to one of the five service academies. (For the Air Force program you must provide some proof of an expressed interest in applying to a Service Academy or ROTC Program (this does not include JROTC) and proof of being a qualified applicant.). These week–long camps take place during the summer months in a variety of settings—centered on a military base at the Air Force Academy, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Port Hueneme, Calif., Vicksburg, Mississippi. Applicants must have expressed intent to pursue a degree in architecture, engineering or a related field. This is a very competitive application process. Go for it!
APPLY TO ALL OF THE SUMMER LEADERSHIPS
Apply to all of the summer leaderships, see where you get in, chose your favorite. Getting into one of the summer leadership programs will not give you extra points and will not be reflective of what a school year will look like. In my opinion, there isn’t a NEED to go to more than one, however, if you don’t get into your preferred summer leadership program there is still value in going to another. Apply to each within a couple of days of the program application opening. However, don’t be counter productive-don’t go to too many!!! If you are gone too much over summer you wont be able to dedicate time to your application.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I see your son is involved in sports, great. Now is the time to join an extracurricular activity. In fact try two. Should you do this to just get a check mark? Yes and no. Try out two of them even if they are something you may not think you would like. I know this may sound stupid but if it's stupid, but works, it isn't stupid. Are you a trivia buff, try out scholastic bowl. Are you into politics or international relations? What about model UN? Don’t forget the fact that the service academies are really engineering colleges so what about a science, technology, engineering or math club then? Even if you join the chemistry club or engineering club as a check mark, once you get there you may really like it. Give it a shot. If you know that this is indeed a check mark, then find a club or two that you can possibly like and bullet through.
TEAM CAPTAIN/CLUB PRESIDENT
You know that another check box is a team captain or club president but you haven’t done either and are not on track for either. That is ok. There are some options here. Run an activity within the club. Put together a suggestion to improve your club that you are already in (IE membership drive, fundraiser, community service event), offer to run it. Be able to describe leadership actions within that activity. Talk to your coach, can you run a cross training activity? Start a new club. I know of someone who started a military history club at school and was able to be the president. This isn’t just to check the box marked club president or team captain. This is to really learn leadership skills that you will need going forward on whatever path you take.
ACT LIKE THERE ARE STILL LOAs
If you are reading this than you probably have scoured this forum for information. You will know that for most applicants LOAs are a thing-of-the-past or at least a rarity. If you were before striving to have your file reviewed for a possible LOA than you were trying to complete every step perfectly AND quickly. Even if there are no LOAs it is still to your advantage to endeavor to get your entire packet completed during the summer before senior year. First, the Dodmerb process can be quick or it can be as slow as molasses. You may need a lot of time to get through it. Dodmerb isn’t triggered (the process started) until you have a certain percentage of your application completed. Additionally, medical waivers will not typically be requested unless your file is complete. The further along in the process the longer DODmerb seems to take as more applicants are in the system (it takes longer the later you wait due to increasing file volume). Second, many BGO/FFR/ALO officers will not interview you until you have a certain percentage of your application completed. Third, you're more likely to get an authorization for a CFA retest if test was failed sooner rather than later. If you wait until the end it may be too late if you do poorly on your CFA. Finally, senior year is already hard and time consuming. Between trying to keep up your grades and trying to live the “life of a senior” that doesn’t leave a lot of time to get your packet in.
Good Luck!