Agree. The bgo/ ffr etc well be your contact to help get in. One of the biggest thing kids lack is leadership. Their whole candidate score is what helps them and leadership and extras is super important. I wish parents and kids knew that they apply to college with their junior year scores and not senior year.
Go to all the admission events, we went to the different events in north Texas and the ffr ( west point) was at all 3 events.
Starting late spring of your junior year, get a notebook and label it and write your lists down.
Once you start your apps, you will get a checklist ands will need multiple emails from teachers, etc for your recommendations.
Lots of simultaneous things need to b happen.. army., Navy, af academy portals. VP nomination, 2 senators and your congressman. Also your rotc app. So 8 portals going at the same time.
You will need to be medically and academically qualified and pass the CFA. So basically "3 q'd with a nomination" by Jan 31. The nominations ( senator, congressman) have early deadlines.
If you get your interviews done, it will trigger medical. Schedule eye doctor and regular doctor ASAP. Medical board will tell you where to go. If you have to get a waiver that could go into early spring.
Always have may 1 as a deadline and if you get the appointment before- awesome! The Jan 31 to may 1 wait period is agony.
Good luck to you and this application process is the first big step in your kids long journey. The day they get that call/ email will be one of the best days!
Go army! Beat navy! My son is West Point class of 2029