I was pursuing the AD route when I got picked up by ANG unit. I already had my MEPS done through AD because they require it to be done before any recruiter will submit you for a rated board. So if you wanted to game the system and reach out to an AD recruiter and start that packet then that is the only way to get MEPS done before being selected. Your choice if you want to spend that time doing that. My personal opinion spend your time and resources making connections with the units and if one likes you enough and wants to entertain the age waiver not sure if MEPS complete or not would tip the scale one way or the other at that point, but the choice is yours. Best of luck!