@ northshore... As someone who lives and breathes USNA literally, the comments that Maplerock are just that his opinions and he has contributed to these forums for some time... I believe its better to have him than not as he has different views than some and dead on for others.
You want to know about being fair, Ill give you one that is strange. I have been accepted to various Ivyies and most likely will go to Yale as Im still CPR at this time. I look at it like this, got accepted to Harvard, Yale, Cornell and UPENN but still CPR. Should I not get USNA, Yales gain and USNA loss!My back up plans are dead solid. Im not going to compare my stats with others as it is a useless game of trying to decipher USNA Admissions thinking maybe if you had a Cray--lol. As a family that has sponsored MIDS for years, Ill tell you the stories most of MIDS tell us, they are humbled for the privilege to come here. I cant tell you how many plebes that we meet during PS (we go to Mass at the Academy) and listening to them. My mom is a grad '85 and offers encouragement to some of those that thinking of quitting, none have so far! Being wait listed is NOT the end, it just presents a different door/path for you or your DS/DD to travel. To all of those still on island, CPR and or wait listed good luck!