<p>I’ve heard that about 30% of the entering USNA class has done NASS. </p>
<p>Not sure how many NASSters apply; I’m sure not all do. Also, as has been posted so often, NASS is a recruiting tool. Thus, NASS does not necessarily pick the top ~2,500 candidates from those who apply. Rather, they look in large part for students from geographic areas and schools that have been historically underrepresented at USNA. Thus, it is quite possible that a marginal candidate from ND will get the nod over a well-qualified candidate from MD. For this reason, you should not take a declination to NASS as any indication of whether or not you’d be a competititve USNA candidate.</p>
<p>Also, NASS only looks at certain objective criteria. It doesn’t require teacher recs, a CFA, a BGO interview, etc. So, just b/c you get into NASS doesn’t mean you are a shoe-in for USNA.</p>