<p>Yes, some do decline immediately and others are offered these openings. However, navy2010 is correct. Based on historical data, they can anticipate within a few percentage points, the acceptance rate and will send out offers commensurate with this projection. Commencing three or so years ago, Admissions also established a waiting list. This allows them to ‘fine tune’ class size even further and is also the source of many of the late appointments. </p>
<p>Another source of late appointments perhaps is the MOCs allocated opening. Should the primary candidate decline at the deadline, Admissions will make an effort to fill that slot. Should number two have been offered an appointment from the national pool, he or she would simply slide into the primary slot. However, if this candidate was 3Qed but not of national pool caliber, he or she would be another late appointment. How late this goes on, I have no idea and Admissions will never state. Probably a case by case basis. But nevertheless, one of the well publicized ‘late’ appointments.</p>
<p>Many wait until the deadline to decline offers. To throw 200-300 offers into late May and early June would not be in the best interest of the Academy. Yes, they get ‘burned’ occasionally with a class that is a few members larger than anticipated but the waiting list seems to have alleviated this problem.</p>