I applied last year and was not selected. I watched as three guys from my command, which were selected, tried everything from begging the school to hurry up, to getting a letter from the CO asking the school to expedite their acceptance. It didn't help. There were schools that just didn't care.
My personal advice (and this is what I did) is to apply to your #1 pick of your three colleges. It will cost you about $50 to apply (and if you are like any other sailor I know you have blown that much in 5 minutes at a bar before) and then you can get the ball rolling at your preferred college.
The issue I am having now is my college wants $350 to “accept their acceptance” and start on my degree plan. If I am accepted into STA-21, I will pay that in 5 minutes and do everything in my power to get my degree plan. If I am not accepted then I am out $50, at least I wasted it trying to ensure my future education. To me, that is acceptable.