Thanks, Crusader, for the excellent description.
As a father who has followed these forums for over a year and who's son is going through the junior summer application process for the four service academy's, I'm most impressed by the Coast Guard's. None of the other academies require essays and a transcript, or allow letters of recommendation. It indicates to me that the Academy is looking for those who are truly interested in committing themselves to the Coast Guard and that the Academy really is trying to see the whole person. While this is only for the junior summer program, I've advised DS that the admission process of each academy will be indicative of the culture of the academy, which will be indicative of that academy's service branch. So, as a first impression, the AIM application impresses me. The comprehensiveness of the application should also be enough to dissuade anyone from thinking that selection for AIM is by lottery.
By the four service academies, I assume you were referring to USMA (U.S. Military Academy), USNA (U.S. Naval Academy, and USMMA (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy).
You seem to have forgotten USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy)
Honest mistake.......