SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT
A big difference between applying to Academies vs. colleges is the service commitment. Lets face it, you are 17 years old and you must convince officers that you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Its a tough sell.
One way you can do so is to mention a story about your visit to an Academy or operational base. If you go see a real base, you see the end game. If you visit the Academy, you see what it’s like. Summer Seminar is perfect for this. (We realize most were virtual, but that’s not your fault). Visiting a nearby Guard, Reserves, or active duty base is also ideal.
Get it done before the interviews so you can mention it. You must be enthusiastic, but your enthusiasm must be built on credibility. Visiting makes a solid foundation for “credible enthusiasm.”