(the 2% number is a bit misleading as not everybody in the class wants to go to med school)
I can't speak for the other service academies, but for the Naval Academy they are sending
less than 1% in the Medical Corps.
For several years now - they have only been permitting 10 graduates to enter the Medical Corps. Graduating classes have been slightly over 1000.
That's less than 1%!
But here's the way to think about it:
1. Typically, only Chemistry majors seek the Medical Corps. Nominally speaking, there are 40-50 Chemistry majors in a class. There are always a few from other majors who pursue this route (Mathematics majors seems to be somewhat common) - so we'll say 55 are even remotely thinking about going Medical Corps.
2. Some of these are just majoring in Chemistry and have no intention of going Medical Corps. Let's say that 80% are thinking about Medical Corps. So, now we're down to about 45.
3. Some of these will find out very quickly that they are not going to be competitive - maybe as soon as their Plebe year when they get a "C" in Chemistry. Some will find out that Organic Chemistry is too much for them. This is going to thin the field considerably. It's going to eliminate at least HALF of them. Let's say we have 25 left ... and this is being conservative. For instance, the Class of 2011 at the Naval Academy only had 10 people apply for the 10 slots.
4. Some will simply change their mind because they've found the Marine Corps, Aviation, or Submarines to be a more attractive post-graduation option. 5 more bite the dust. Now we have only 20.
5. It will dawn on some that this is a
career decision. They are selling their souls to the military. 3 more bite the dust. Now we have 17.
6. Some will realize that there is much more work involved than just getting good grades. They have to shadow doctors. They have to prepare for and take the MCAT. They have to apply to medical schools which costs a lot of money and takes up a lot of time. They're not up for it. 3 more bite the dust.
7. Some will simply not do well enough on their MCAT. 3 more bite the dust.
8. Somebody will get themselves into some "hot water" of some sort - with a poor military aptitude ranking, conduct violation, poor physical fitness, or maybe a brush with the Honor Board. He's gone!
And you got TEN Medical Corps graduates!
As you can see - it is actually a self-selecting process and it is mostly a "war" of attrition. The key is to simply "stay in the game".