Advice to future applicants...

While writing this, I am an appointee who has just gone through the application process...

First off, stay on this website. USAFACommunity is a huge asset when it comes to the application and USAFA in general. Many people can answer any question you have.
Also, buy this book:
If you don't have the money, ask your parents. If they don't, get a job. If you can't, find a way to collect enough. But buy this book.

If your just beginning high school, good for you and your interest in the USAFA... you're way ahead of where I was when I was a freshman/sophomore. As a frosh/sophomore, you should strive to get good grades... start developing good study habits and don't cheat. Also, join clubs and sports that interest you. Almost all cadets lettered in a varsity sport in high school before attending the United States Air Force Academy. These teams and clubs build character, and will eventually let you hold leadership positions. Also, look into joining Civil Air Patrol (CAP) or a JROTC unit, if you school has it. The admissions board looks highly upon those who participate in either of these. Fill out the pre-candidate questionaire at:
https://admissions.usafa.edu/secure/...ligibility.htm

As a junior, continue to keep your grades up. Take the ACT and SAT as many times as you can afford. Take prep classes if needed and buy prep books. Make sure to take both tests. The Air Force Academy superscores, so if you do poorly in one section, you can make up for it by doing well on the same section a different time you take the test. Look for leadership opportunities in the clubs/sports you are in.

Now the real application starts...
Contact your two senators and the congressman for your district and request nomination packets/information. Be polite and courteous. Either write them a letter, call, or email the staffer. The info to do this should be on the senator/congressman's website. When you get these packets that you have to fill out, get them done ASAP. Do not put them off, and then rush to get them done before the deadline... this looks bad and makes your work less professional. Remember, you need to have a nomination to go to the USAFA. The Vice President also gives out nominations, so apply for that one as well.

As soon as you can, start the USAFA application online. When you first start filling it out, all the information won't be there. July 1st is usually when all the stuff shows up that you need to fill out. You can enter yourself into the system before this, though. It is critical to get the application done early.
Get your teachers email addresses before your junior-senior summer begins. A math teacher, English teacher, and other teacher. Preferably ones who know you well and like you. The letters of recommendation are done through email with the USAFA application.

Have you contacted your ALO? Establish contact and show interest in the USAFA. He/she will interview you and be a huge part of your application. Their information should show up on the online application. If not, contact the USAFA and they will help you out.

Get in shape for the CFA. Do a practice run though and find your weak areas and work on them. After you take the CFA with a coach/your ALO, stay in shape... because if all goes well, you need to be in shape for Basic Training.

Compile a resume, since you will need it for the USAFA application, and the nomination packets for your senators/congressman.

Get your DODMERB stuff done as soon as you can. I didn't need a medical waiver, but I have heard bad stories about it. It can take a long time, and if you put off your medical appointments, you might be too late to be granted a waiver.

AGAIN, GET THINGS DONE EARLY... DON'T PUT THEM OFF!

That's all I can think of at this point. I think I'll make another post about Nomination/ALO interviews, so look for that one sometime soon.