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<p>More too it than that. Assuming you don’t receive a principal nom and/or have an LOA and nom (and most do not), you go into a national pool. Whether you get an appointment depends on how well you stack up against the competition nationally and, to some extent, where you live. Generally, it is easier to receive an appointment from a less populous state or region w/in a state than from a populous one. The admissions standards are the same. But USNA works very hard to ensure geographic diversity. Thus, if the choice is between equally qualified candidates fom North Dakota and Maryland, the nod may well go to the person from ND because there just aren’t as many qualified candidates with noms from that state.</p>
<p>The above said, being 3Q’ed and having a nom (or more than one) is a huge step toward receiving an appointment and obviously vastly improves your odds of receiving one. But, it’s not guaranteed and I have seen 3Q’ed students with multiple noms who do not receive an appointment.</p>