<p>A Candidate may leave anytime before the oath. I have <em>heard</em> that some just sort of freak out and won’t sign it and go home but I don’t know if that’s “urban legend” or not.<br>
The USMA website posted pictures of NC’s taking the oath and signing it in a classroom - they had changed out of their civies at that point and were in their PT uniform - before they got their Class “A”'s, so I think it must have been before lunch. West Point expected 1305 New Cadets but the Oath was administered to 1292.<br>
Some may have gotten injured or sick just prior to R-day while a few are found to be sick or otherwise medically disqualified during the medical exam.</p>