Looking for OTS Guidance/Mentorship – E-4 Planning Ahead

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice and guidance from anyone who has gone through the OTS process, especially prior-enlisted officers.
I’m currently an E-4 on Active Duty and will hit 5 years of service this December. I’m also a junior working toward my bachelor’s degree and expect to graduate at the end of 2027.

I’ve been seriously thinking about pursuing OTS for a while now. I know the process is extremely competitive and that there are no guarantees, so I’m trying to start preparing early rather than waiting until I graduate.

My current plan is to reenlist for another 4 years and apply for OTS once I’m eligible. If I’m not selected the first time, I fully intend to keep improving my package and reapplying. In the meantime, I plan to continue progressing in my military career, perform as strongly as I can in my current duties, and eventually pursue my master’s degree.

Becoming an officer is something I’m genuinely passionate about, but I also want to be realistic about how competitive OTS is. I’d really like to find a mentor, preferably someone who commissioned through OTS as prior enlisted, who could help me understand what I should be doing now to set myself up for the strongest possible application.

For those who have gone through the process:

What do you wish you had started doing 1–2 years before applying?

What made the biggest difference in your OTS package?

How did you find an officer willing to mentor you through the process?

Are there things enlisted applicants commonly overlook?

What should I prioritize between now and graduation?

I’m not looking for shortcuts. I’m willing to put in the work and understand that it may take multiple attempts. I just want to make sure the work I’m putting in now is actually moving me in the right direction.

Any advice, mentorship, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated!