True, but one must still "apply" to the appropriate nominating authority to be considered for an appointment.
Applicants to all service academies, except the United States Coast Guard Academy, are required to obtain a nomination to the schools. Nominations may be made by Congressional Representatives, Senators, the Vice President and the President. Applicants to the Coast Guard Academy compete in a direct nationwide competitive process that has no by-state quotas.
Friends or family of the above have a pretty good head start.