<p>Actually Zap is correct but for a different reason. One must look at total offers vice offers accepted. There are usually 1600 or so offers each year and if one subtracts out the 300 or so for NAPS/Foundation, that leaves 1200-1300 for the USNA pool. And also, the NAPS/Foundation offers are probably up around 600 to get the 300 acceptances.</p>
<p>The qualifications to get in are easier but the percentages are less.</p>
<p>Another way to look at it would be to assume the total 12,000 applicants form a bell curve of some type. The directs are at the end while the NAPSters and Foundation candidates are more toward the fuller center and, therefore, more of them.</p>