I might be incorrect, but I believe VA is a state where the MOCs "talk", at least it has been for previous yrs.
The reason why can be for multiple reasons.
1. Large amount of military bases
~ Pentagon
~ Belvoir ---Army
~ Quantico --- Marines
~ Norfolk ---Navy
~ Langley --- AF
Plus, Bolling and Edwards are on the MD/VA border along with Meyers, so some military members will live on the VA side, and not the MD side....just because of school districts in the area.
Where bases/posts are located they usually have a larger pool because kids grow up oohing and aahhing at that life.
2. USNA is what people would consider right down the road from NoVA.
SA's also are like bases/posts, it has an allure to kids.
No VA is a highly competitive area. WE reside in 11, and I have to say with no offense to anyone who is not in 11, I am impressed with a nom from Connolly.
Fairfax school system's budget is larger than the lowest 8 states. In other words, Ark spends less as a state than this 1 county.
When Money, USNWR and Fortune rank top public HS's in the nation, the majority of the FC HS's are on the list. I remember reading at one time that the avg SAT for a Fairfax (dist 11) SAT was 1350 out of 1600...That is avg...in other words 1300 and you are below avg,
TJ, which is a public hs, magnet, has been kicked off these lists and placed onto the top private HS's in the nation, and still for yrs running is number 1 in the nation.
Academically in VA it is hard to compete against Fairfax, and that brings it back to why they "talk". The MOC's want diversity and they want to meet the SA stds., but if they didn't talk in VA, from MPO, you would see alot of Dist 11 getting apptmts compared to the rest of the state, just due to rigor of their school system.
Now before you all flip out and start to think as a Fairfax or PW candidate you are boffed. Many of these applicants also have a very high WCS and are pulled in that way.
I don't remember the thread that existed, but one did, and for the District 11 candidates 9 out of 10 got in via other sources...Supe, Presidential, VP, etc.
You need to remember that the nom gets you in the door, but it is your WCS that will get you an apptmt.
Your nom source is not necessarily the source that will be charged for your apptmt.