<p>2010, you’re the best!
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<p>While I’m pretty good at reading between the lines, in this situation where many reader-participants are by the very nature of the forum, novice learners about USNA, its needs and consequent admissions procedures and policies, and it’s valuable that I or others not need to “read between the lines.” Clarity is worth its weight here. </p>
<p>So thanks for edifying and clarifying your earlier point, that targeted recruitment isn’t about getting Mids from NYC or other specific geographic locations (beyond the traditional geographic dispersement and nomination process). USNA student recruitment seeks specific racial, ethnic, gender segments who may be viable Mids and who the USNA desires in the Brigade makeup. But it’s coincidental and apparent that greater numbers of these targeted potential candidates are more likely to be residing in NYC than Poughkeepsie. So in other words, they may come from NYC, but the USNA doesn’t care if they’re from NYC … or Timbucktoo. And in fact would probably prefer that they not be in the position to be offering LOAs to 4 students from one HS. But that’s demography, not geography. </p>
<p>And it’s valuable to be clear about that for any number of reasons. Just one of which is to not lend false hope or encouragement to equivalent candidates not in one of those target groups, as they would merit no special consideration simply because they reside in NYC or attend that particular HS. Another would be to not discourage special target group candidates who in fact might live in Timbucktoo, rather than NYC.</p>
<p>May I offer one more thought? That you may want to reconsider your point of …</p>
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<p>While your guessing about these students is intended to help me grasp this all, might we agree these wonderful young people are more justifiably described as “qualified candidates”? No matter their home, school, race, color or creed, they’ve beaten very great odds, and merit our congratulations and best wishes. Theirs is a terrific achievement.</p>