This is kind of in a way unrelated.....
However I've heard several times on here that NASS and other summer programs look for applicants from under-represented areas. What exactly does that mean?
Two things, according to USNA. First, states that typically send very few candidates to USNA. These include the "five sisters" -- WY, ND, SD, ID, MT. There may be a handful of others. There aren't a lot of people in these states and, b/c they're landlocked and far from USNA, many students in these states have never even heard of USNA. The hope is that, by sending kids from these states to NASS, they may be inspired to apply or they'll go back to their schools and neighborhoods and inspire others to look into USNA.
Second, certain congressional districts where there have been zero applicants to USNA. Apparently, there were 37 of these in 2008. Some of these are in inner cities -- but not all. The view is that there are great students who are attending magnet schools and being wooed by Ivy League colleges, etc. but who don't know about USNA (see above -- same rationale).
Because NASS is a RECRUITING TOOL, it is true that folks who fall into the above categories might well be given the nod over a "more qualified" candidate from, say, Annapolis. It may or may not be fair, but that's the approach USNA is taking -- using NASS to get the word out about USNA and attract more candidates from diverse geographic areas.
This is why you should NOT read too much into an NASS turndown. As many of us have posted over & over, not getting into NASS does NOT mean you aren't a strong candidate for USNA.