It’s not a transparent process. Never has been and never will be. Even if it was, people would still argue the validity of xxx
If you are referring to academic stats, yes that’s a part. But they ALSO post other stats: NHS, varsity captaincy, demographics, etc etc.
What they don’t post are the intangibles. That are as important a piece in the decision as others. IMO, even more so (ie: an academic superstar who has never failed, may dip out minute one. VS a tenacious, gritty person who has been through some ‘stuff’, who knows they will make it through, and be OK).
How do you measure grit, determination, and tenacity? Via stories, essays and interviews. And I would argue those things are the ‘secret sauce’ that will carry someone through the difficult time to come. It’s sure been what has kept some of my plebes there. Characteristics that we knew were within them (as did USNA), but that they had to recognize through adversity.
They also don’t post letters of recommendation, teacher evaluations, etc. Those also play an important part of decisions
Yall only see a snippet of a person. What’s presented to the world. BGO’s get a better picture through their work. And admissions has the WHOLE picture. The young men and women about to commission are fantastic, amazing leaders. Admissions did a great job.
BTW, the kids that I know of that have left? Are more so the academic superstars, but didn’t have the ‘juice’ to get through tough stuff. The ‘secret sauce’ that’s needed. Interesting.